Answered6 years ago
What is the process for registering and taxing a second-hand car in Thailand?
Have just bought a second-hand car. What is the process for registering it and taxing it? (sorry for the noob question, I really have no idea how it works here).
Answer summary
To register your second-hand car in Thailand, ensure you obtain the green book, bill of sale, and a signed copy of the seller's ID card. You will also need a certificate of residency and your passport. Take these documents to the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to transfer the green book into your name. Additionally, you’ll need to annually take the car for a check-up, as you cannot tax it without the inspection certificate. It's advisable to have the previous owner accompany you to the motor registry office during the registration process.
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Paul *******
When I purchase a vehicle, I tell the previous owner that they need to accompay me to the motor registry office and that I will pay once the vehicle is in my name. Never had any objection and always worked well.
Jon ********
Vehicle inspection at Land Transport station if the car is 7 years old
Giorgio ******
How come people don't enquire before starting the process???🤔
Paul ********
You will take the car for a check up once a year can not tax it without the certificate
Apex ********************
Make sure you get the green book, bill of sale, and a signed copy of the sellers ID card. You'll need a certificate of residency and your passport. Take those documents to the DLT to transfer the greenbook into your name. Tax and insurance is paid for there too.
Ciarán *******
Car goes broooooom
JD ********
Cars have Blue Books.. Motorcycles have Green Books
Kool *******
@Thailand ***************************************
green book is for motorcycles. Blue book is for cars. I was just there Friday.Kool *******
@James *****************
you need the emissions test to register it, and again every year. 
Tony ******
@Kool ******
An emission test!!!!!???? LOL. Is that true?
AliJames *****
OP@Terry *******
true that. He literally just opened the bonnet and looked at the engine for about 5 seconds and stamped my paper 
Terry ********
@Anthony *****
Yes, but nothing ever fails! 555AliJames *****
OP@Anthony *****
it is very true. I'm waiting right now for my car to be tested at the department of land transport. Tony ******
@Kool ******
Trucks too?Kool *******
@Anthony *****
yeah. In Bangkok the service places a tube in the exhaust of your car at idle to test the emission levels while it is running. That's been required for quite a few years now.
Gareth ********
@James *****************
I’m not 100% sure. AliJames *****
OPIt didn't come with any tax
Steve *********
MOT is a British regulatory requirement. Not Thai.
AliJames *****
OP@Steve ********
yeah I meant the Thai equivalentAliJames *****
OPCar is 10 years old
AliJames *****
OP@Thailand ***************************************
Does it not need an MOT? Do they even have that here?Apex ********************
@Ja***
Sorry, I'm not sure what a MOT is. The vehicle needs to be inspect, but they do that at the DLT when you transfer ownership. Proof of tax payment is in your bluebook. it documents the owner and tax. Insurance is a separate paper, and the government sells their basic level coverage at the DLT, or you can shop around for a 3rd party insurance company. And yes sorry, blue book.
Gareth ********
@James *****************
every year it will need a inspection, normally when the pink square tax needs renewing. Look for a garage with a yellow cog symbol. AliJames *****
OP@Monti *******
Really helpful thanks, this was the part I was unsure aboutAliJames *****
OP@Gareth *******
do I need this initially when I register the car?Activity
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