Owning a Motorbike in Thailand: Buying, Paperwork and Staying Safe
A scooter is the easiest way to get around much of Thailand, and buying one is simple. Doing it legally, insured and in your own name is what protects you when something goes wrong.
The short version
- Foreigners can buy and register a motorbike with a passport and proof of address.
- The green book is the bike’s registration book; check it matches the bike and seller.
- Every bike needs compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor) and annual road tax.
- You need a motorbike licence; a car licence does not cover it.
- Riding without a helmet can cost up to 2,000 baht, and far more in an accident.
New, used or rented?
Dealers handle registration and the first year’s insurance on a new bike. A used bike is cheaper but needs careful checks of the green book, the frame and engine numbers, and the condition. If you are not sure you will stay, renting monthly first is a low-risk way to decide.
The green book and transfers
- Passport and visa
- Proof of address: certificate of residence or work permit
- The green book and the seller’s ID and signed transfer forms
- Transfer at the DLT so the bike is in your name
Insurance and road tax
Compulsory Por Ror Bor insurance is required for motorbikes as for cars. It covers injury to people, not the bike or your liability for damage, so consider voluntary cover too. Road tax is paid yearly once the compulsory insurance is in place.
Licence, helmet and riding safely
Get a Thai motorbike licence, wear a proper helmet every time and never ride after drinking. Thailand’s roads are among the most dangerous in the world for motorcyclists, and riding unlicensed can leave you uninsured after an accident.
Motorbike mistakes to avoid
No book, no legal ownership.
Transfer it at the DLT.
You need a motorbike licence.
Fines are the smallest risk.
Everything on owning a motorbike
Guides from the JLIT library on buying, paperwork and riding.
Buying
Paperwork
Hubs for riders
Bikes, routes and cover.
Keep going
Questions newcomers ask
Can a foreigner buy a motorbike in Thailand?
Yes, with a passport, visa and proof of address such as a certificate of residence, and the transfer done at the DLT.
What is the green book?
The motorbike’s registration book. It shows the registered owner and must match the bike’s frame and engine numbers.
Do I need a licence to ride a scooter in Thailand?
Yes, a motorbike licence. A car licence does not cover motorbikes.
