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- Vehicle transfer at the DLT — buyer and seller documents, fees and the 15-day deadline in full
- Residence certificate — the proof of address the DLT asks foreign buyers for, and which immigration offices issue it on a tourist visa
- Vehicle inspection (Tor Ror Or) — needed every year once a bike is more than 5 years old
Can Foreigners Own a Motorcycle in Thailand?
Yes. Foreigners can legally own motorcycles and cars in Thailand. There are no nationality restrictions on vehicle ownership. The vehicle is registered in your name using your passport number, and the DLT also asks foreign buyers for proof of a Thai address, normally a residence certificate from Immigration. You will need a valid Thai driving license (motorcycle endorsement) or an International Driving Permit with motorcycle category to ride legally. Ownership and the right to drive are separate legal matters — you can own a bike without a license, but you cannot legally ride it without one.
Where to Buy a Used Motorcycle
Facebook Marketplace and Facebook groups are the most popular channels for used motorcycles. Search for groups like 'Motorcycles for Sale Bangkok' or location-specific groups. Dealer shops are found throughout Thailand — they typically charge slightly more but may offer short warranties. The Kaidee website (kaidee.com) is Thailand's equivalent of Craigslist and has a large motorcycle section. In tourist areas like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya, there are many shops catering to foreigners who buy and sell. Avoid buying from strangers offering deals that seem too good to be true — scams exist, especially targeting foreigners.
What to Check Before Buying
The most important document is the green book (registration book). This is proof of ownership and must be present for any legitimate sale. Check that the chassis number and engine number on the bike match the numbers in the green book exactly. Verify that the seller's name matches the name in the green book — if it does not, they may not be the legal owner. Check the tax sticker on the bike (should be current). Take the bike for a test ride and check brakes, lights, tires, oil level, and listen for unusual engine sounds. For scooters (Honda Click, Wave, PCX), check the CVT belt and rollers — these are wear items. For big bikes, check the chain, sprockets, and fork seals.
Transferring the Green Book (Ownership Transfer)
The transfer is done at the Department of Land Transport (DLT) office where the bike is currently registered. Buyer and seller should both go; if the seller can't, they can sign a power of attorney and hand over copies of their ID. Bring the green book, the seller's ID (Thai ID card, or passport and proof of address for a foreign seller), your passport, your proof of a Thai address (normally a residence certificate from Immigration), copies of all of it, the transfer forms signed by both of you, and a valid Por Ror Bor. The tax should be paid up. The DLT checks the frame and engine numbers on the bike against the book. Government fees start at 155 THB (5 THB application, 100 THB transfer, 50 THB inspection), plus stamp duty that the DLT calculates from its own valuation of the bike; for a used motorcycle the total is usually under 1,000 THB. You have 15 days from the sale to register the transfer, and the visit itself usually takes 2-4 hours. Afterwards the green book shows your name and passport number as the owner. Don't skip this step, whatever the seller suggests: until it's done, the bike isn't legally yours.
Used Motorcycle Pricing Guide
Start from the new price, because it caps what any used example is worth. In 2026 the Honda Wave 110i starts at 39,000 THB new and the Honda PCX160 lists at 96,000-99,900 THB, according to the Thai motoring site Car250. A used bike sells for less than new; how much less depends on age, mileage, condition and how many of the same model are for sale near you. Before you negotiate, check the current new price of the exact model and year, then compare five or six listings of the same bike on Kaidee and Facebook Marketplace. That gives you a fairer number than any national price list. Be suspicious of a price far below those listings: the bike may be stolen, flood-damaged or still under finance.
Insurance for Your Motorcycle
Every motorcycle must carry compulsory insurance, Por Ror Bor (พ.ร.บ.), before its annual tax can be paid. For a private motorcycle it costs 161.57 THB up to 75cc, 323.14 THB for 75-125cc, 430.14 THB for 125-150cc and about 645 THB above 150cc. It pays medical costs and compensation to people injured in a crash involving the bike, whoever held a licence. If you caused the crash without a licence, though, you only get its initial payment: up to 30,000 THB for medical bills, or 35,000 THB for death or permanent disability. It never pays for damage to the bike or anything else. Voluntary insurance (Class 1, 2+ or 3+) covers that, and here the licence matters: the insurer can refuse to pay for your own bike if you were riding without a valid motorcycle license. Get two or three quotes before you buy.
Common Scams and How to Avoid Them
No green book: Never buy a motorcycle without a green book. Without it, you cannot prove ownership or transfer the registration. The bike may be stolen. 'I will transfer the green book later': Insist on transferring at the DLT together. Once you hand over money without a transfer, the seller can disappear. Tampered odometer: Thai motorcycles often have rolled-back odometers. Check the bike's overall condition against the claimed mileage. Flood-damaged bikes: After major floods, water-damaged bikes appear on the market. Check for rust in the electrical connectors, water marks inside the headlight housing, and musty smells. Finance still owing: If the bike has outstanding finance, the finance company is the legal owner and the seller cannot transfer it. Check the green book — if a finance company is listed as the owner, the loan must be paid off before transfer.
Annual Registration and Tax
Every year a motorcycle needs a valid Por Ror Bor and its road tax paid; the tax sticker on the bike shows the expiry date. Road tax on a private motorcycle is a flat 100 THB a year, whatever the engine size. Once a bike is more than 5 years past first registration, it also has to pass an inspection at a private Tor Ror Or (ตรอ.) station before the tax can be paid, which costs 60 THB. So a 125cc scooter under 5 years old costs about 423 THB a year to keep legal (323.14 THB Por Ror Bor plus 100 THB tax), before voluntary insurance, fuel and servicing. You don't have to go back to the province where the bike is registered to pay. Late tax adds 1% a month. If the tax goes unpaid for more than 3 years, the registration is suspended and the bike has to be registered again with new plates, which costs far more time and money.
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