Transfer Vehicle Ownership in Thailand: Complete 2026 Guide

Overview: Vehicle Transfer of Ownership in Thailand

Whenever a vehicle changes hands in Thailand — whether through a private sale, a gift, inheritance, or completing a hire-purchase agreement — the ownership must be formally transferred at the Department of Land Transport (DLT). Skipping this step is not an option. Thai law requires notification within 15 days of the transfer, and failure to do so carries a fine of up to 2,000 THB.

The process involves both the buyer and seller (or their authorized representatives) visiting the DLT office where the vehicle is currently registered, presenting required documents, having the vehicle physically inspected, and paying transfer fees including stamp duty. The entire process can typically be completed in a single visit lasting 2-4 hours.

This guide walks through the full transfer process: when you need one, what documents to bring, the step-by-step DLT procedure, all costs including stamp duty calculations, and critical warnings about scams and illegal practices like floating transfers and Kai Dao vehicles.

When You Need a Vehicle Transfer

A formal transfer of ownership at the DLT is required in all of the following situations:

• Buying or selling a used car or motorcycle — the most common reason for transfers. Both private sales and dealer purchases require a formal DLT transfer.
• Receiving a vehicle as a gift — even between family members, the ownership must be legally transferred at the DLT.
• Inheritance — when a vehicle owner passes away, the vehicle must be transferred to the heir. This requires a probate court order and typically takes 2-4 months to process.
• Company to individual transfer — when a company vehicle is transferred to an employee or individual owner.
• Hire-purchase completion — when you finish paying off a financed vehicle, the finance company transfers ownership to you. The finance company handles most of the paperwork in this case.

Where to Go

The transfer must be done at the DLT office where the vehicle is currently registered — that is, the province shown on the license plates. You cannot transfer at just any DLT office. If you are in Bangkok and the vehicle has Chiang Mai plates, you must go to the Chiang Mai DLT office (or arrange for a representative to go on your behalf with a Power of Attorney).

If the buyer lives in a different province from where the vehicle is registered, the transfer must still happen at the original registration province first. After that, the new owner can re-register the vehicle at their local DLT office to get new plates.

DLT office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Documents Required

Documents for Thai Sellers

1. Original vehicle registration book (green book for motorcycles, blue book for cars)
2. Thai national ID card copies (signed, at least 2 copies)
3. House registration book copy (signed)
4. Transfer request form (available at the DLT office)
5. Sales contract or receipt

Documents for Thai Buyers

1. Thai national ID card copy (signed)
2. House registration book copy (signed)

Documents for Foreign Sellers

1. Passport with valid visa (original and signed copies of information page and visa pages)
2. Certificate of Residence from Thai Immigration OR valid Work Permit

Documents for Foreign Buyers

1. Passport with valid non-immigrant visa (original required)
2. Signed passport copies (information page and all visa pages)
3. Certificate of Residence from Thai Immigration OR valid Work Permit
4. Valid Thai driving license or International Driving Permit (IDP)

Additional Documents (All Transfers)

1. Valid Por Ror Bor (compulsory insurance) — must be current at time of transfer
2. The vehicle itself — it must be driven to the DLT for physical inspection

Step-by-Step Process at the DLT

This is what happens when you arrive at the DLT to complete the transfer:

Costs and Fees

Vehicle transfer fees are relatively modest. The base fees are fixed, but stamp duty varies based on the DLT-assessed value of the vehicle.

How Stamp Duty Is Calculated

Stamp duty is 0.5% of the DLT-assessed value of the vehicle. The DLT uses its own depreciation tables, so the assessed value is typically much lower than the actual sale price. A few examples:

The total cost for a typical used car transfer ranges from 655 THB to 3,000+ THB depending on the vehicle value. For motorcycles, the total is usually under 1,000 THB since assessed values are much lower.

Floating Transfer (Ohn Loy)

A floating transfer (Thai: ohn loy) is when the seller pre-signs all transfer documents and hands them over to the buyer along with the green book, allowing the buyer to complete the DLT transfer at a later time without the seller being present. This is very common in Thailand, but it carries significant risks.

Documents involved in a floating transfer:

• Signed bill of sale
• Pre-signed transfer request form
• Power of Attorney from seller to buyer
• Seller ID card copies (signed)
• Original green or blue book

Can Foreigners Buy Vehicles in Thailand?

Yes. There are no nationality restrictions on vehicle ownership in Thailand. Foreigners can buy cars, motorcycles, trucks, and any other vehicle type. However, there are practical requirements:

• Non-immigrant visa is strongly preferred — while not technically required by law, most DLT offices will ask for one. A visa with at least 1 year of validity makes the process smoothest.
• Certificate of Residence from Thai Immigration or a valid Work Permit is required for the DLT transfer paperwork.
• Financing is very difficult for foreigners — most Thai banks and finance companies will not offer vehicle loans to non-Thai nationals. The vast majority of foreigners pay cash.
• You can own a vehicle even if you do not have a Thai driving license, but you will need a valid license (Thai or IDP) to legally drive it.

Hire-Purchase and Financed Vehicles

Many vehicles in Thailand are purchased through hire-purchase (financing). Under a hire-purchase agreement, the bank or finance company is the legal owner of the vehicle until the final payment is made. The green book is held by the finance company during the loan period.

• The green book is held by the finance company — if a seller cannot produce the original green book, the vehicle is almost certainly still under finance.
• Legal ways to sell a financed vehicle: the seller must either pay off the remaining balance in full (and get the green book released), or arrange a formal transfer of hire-purchase rights through the finance company.
• After full payment, the finance company processes the transfer of ownership to you. This typically takes 2-4 weeks.

Red Plates vs White Plates

Thailand uses color-coded license plates to indicate vehicle status:

• White plates — standard permanent registration for private vehicles. This is what you want when buying a used vehicle. The vehicle is fully registered and can be driven without restrictions.
• Red plates — temporary registration for brand-new vehicles. Valid for a maximum of 30 days or 3,000 kilometers (whichever comes first). Red-plated vehicles cannot be driven at night (6 PM to 6 AM). The dealer arranges permanent white plates during this period.
• Yellow plates — taxis and public transport vehicles. These vehicles have different insurance requirements and usage rules.
• Green plates — vehicles for hire (not taxis). Includes some tour vehicles and commercial transport.
• Blue plates — diplomatic vehicles. Exempt from certain traffic laws.

The Green Book (Registration Book)

The green book (or blue book for cars) is the most important document in any vehicle transaction. It is the vehicle's official registration certificate and contains the owner's name, address, vehicle make and model, engine number, chassis number, registration history, and tax payment history. Without the original green book, a vehicle cannot be legally sold or transferred.

Always verify that the information in the green book matches the vehicle and the seller's identification. If the seller's name does not match the green book, the seller either does not own the vehicle, or the vehicle has been through a floating transfer that was never completed. In either case, proceed with extreme caution — or walk away.

Tips for Buying a Used Vehicle

Buying a used car or motorcycle in Thailand can be straightforward if you take proper precautions. Use this checklist:

1. Check the green book first — the seller's name must match their ID card or passport. Verify that the chassis number (VIN) and engine number on the vehicle match the green book exactly.
2. Check for outstanding finance — if the seller cannot show you the original green book, the vehicle is likely still under a hire-purchase agreement. Walk away unless the seller can arrange for the finance company to release the book.
3. Check stolen vehicle status — you can verify a vehicle's status at the DLT or through online services like CarInfo or the TIS (Transport Information System). A stolen vehicle will be seized by police even if you bought it in good faith.
4. Inspect the vehicle physically — look for mismatched paint (indicates accident repair), rust, signs of flood damage (musty smell, water stains under seats, corrosion on electrical connectors), and odometer tampering.
5. Always do a direct transfer at the DLT with both parties present — this is the safest way to complete a purchase. Both buyer and seller go to the DLT together, and the transfer is completed officially on the same day.
6. Exchange money only after DLT verification — pay the seller only after the DLT has verified the documents and confirmed that the vehicle is clean. A deposit is acceptable before the DLT visit, but the full payment should be made at or after the DLT.

Common Scams and Warning Signs

The used vehicle market in Thailand has several well-known scams. Being aware of these can save you significant money and legal trouble:

• Rented cars sold as owned — the seller does not actually own the vehicle. They rented it and are trying to sell it. Always verify the green book name matches the seller's ID.
• No-book sales — a vehicle sold without the green book is almost certainly either stolen or under finance. Never buy a vehicle without the original registration book, regardless of how low the price is.
• Kai Dao vehicles — vehicles still under hire-purchase that the seller is illegally selling. The finance company can repossess the vehicle at any time, and you will lose both the vehicle and your money.
• Fake green books — forged registration documents. Have the DLT verify the book before completing any transaction.
• Odometer rollback — common on both cars and motorcycles. Check service records, tire wear, and general vehicle condition against the stated mileage.
• Flood-damaged vehicles — especially common after the rainy season (October-December). Check under seats and in the trunk for water stains, musty smells, and corroded electrical connections.

Power of Attorney

If either the buyer or seller cannot be present at the DLT in person, they can authorize a representative to act on their behalf using a Power of Attorney (POA). The POA must be signed by the absent party and include copies of their ID. For foreigners, the POA may need to be notarized at the embassy or a Thai notary.

This is commonly used when the buyer and seller are in different provinces, when using a vehicle transfer agent, or when completing a floating transfer. The representative must bring both the POA and their own ID to the DLT.