Buy & Register a Motorbike or Car in Phuket: Green Book Transfer Guide
Tired of paying 4,000–8,000 THB every month on rental scooters? Learn how foreigners and expats can legally buy and register motorbikes (Green Book) and cars (Blue Book) in their own name at DLT Phuket.
Renting vs. Buying a Scooter or Car in Phuket
If you are staying in Phuket for longer than 3 months (whether on a tourist visa exemption, Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), retirement visa, or education visa), renting a scooter at 4,000 to 8,000 THB per month quickly adds up to over 50,000–90,000 THB per year. Rental bikes also tend to have scratched bodywork, an unclear service history and no protection for your deposit.
Buying a second-hand scooter (such as a popular Honda Click 125cc for 25,000–35,000 THB or a Honda PCX 160cc for 50,000–70,000 THB) or passenger car is far more economical. When your stay ends, you can resell the vehicle and recover 80% to 90% of your initial purchase price.
Understanding Thai Vehicle Title Books
The Green Book (เล่มเขียว): Motorbikes and Scooters
The green-covered registration book issued for all two-wheeled vehicles. It proves legal ownership and tracks:
- Exact registered engine number and frame/chassis number
- Chronological chain of all previous registered owners
- Annual tax sticker renewals and inspection records
- Provincial license plate number (e.g., Phuket ภูเก็ต)
The Blue Book (เล่มทะเบียน): Cars, Trucks and Vans
The blue-covered registration book for all four-wheeled motor vehicles. It functions as the permanent vehicle logbook:
- Sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks (e.g. Toyota Hilux, Fortuner)
- Vehicle technical specifications and color modifications
- Financing / bank lien discharge records
- Registered owner's legal foreign name and address
Documents Required for DLT Ownership Transfer in Phuket
When purchasing a used vehicle from a private seller or independent dealer, you must present the following complete document set at DLT Saphan Hin:
1. Original Book & Signed Forms
Original Green/Blue Book, signed DLT Transfer Application Form (คำขอโอนและรับโอน), signed DLT Power of Attorney (หนังสือมอบอำนาจ), and signed copies of seller's Thai ID card / passport.
2. Original Passport & Copies
Your original passport with valid entry stamp or visa (Tourist, DTV, Non-Immigrant, Elite) plus signed photocopies of the photo page, current visa stamp, and TM.6 card (if applicable).
3. Certificate of Residence (TM.30)
Official proof of address issued by Phuket Town Immigration (valid 30 days) or a valid Thai Work Permit with registered address. We arrange it for you in 24 to 48 hours.
4. DLT Physical Inspection
The vehicle must be driven to the DLT inspection bay (Tor Ror Or) to verify chassis numbers, horn, lights, and exhaust. Vehicles over 5 years (bikes) or 7 years (cars) require inspection.
⚠️ Owning a Vehicle Is Not the Same as Driving It Legally
While DLT allows you to register vehicle ownership with just your passport and Certificate of Residence, owning a scooter does NOT grant you legal permission to drive it on public roads.
If you ride your newly purchased scooter without an official Thai Class A Motorcycle License or recognized IDP with Category A, you are driving illegally. Police checkpoints at Chalong Circle, Patong Hill, and Kata will fine you, and in any serious crash, commercial and travel insurers will refuse to pay. We strongly advise completing your driving license conversion at the same time as your vehicle registration.
Frequently Asked Questions: Buying Vehicles in Phuket
Authoritative answers on Green Book ownership, tax stickers, and government transfer fees.
Government transfer fees are calculated based on the vehicle's assessed market value. For a standard 125cc-160cc scooter (Honda Click/PCX), government transfer and stamp duty fees typically range between 280 and 650 THB. For passenger cars, fees range from 1,500 to 4,000 THB depending on vehicle valuation and age.
Any overdue road taxes must be paid at the time of transfer. In Thailand, annual road tax for scooters is only about 100–150 THB per year, plus mandatory Por Ror Bor insurance (around 324–645 THB). DLT Phuket will settle any back taxes and issue a fresh circular tax sticker during the transfer.
Yes. Because the Green Book is registered directly in your name, you sign the transfer page, provide a copy of your passport, and sign the DLT transfer forms. The next buyer (foreign or Thai) completes the transfer at the DLT.
Transfer Your Green Book Ownership in Phuket Without Stress
Buying a motorbike or car in Phuket? Send photos of the Green Book and seller's ID to our WhatsApp team. We audit the title, arrange your TM.30 residence certificate, and manage the entire DLT transfer on your behalf.