My motorbike registration, only 6 months?

[jonworldtexan]

Hello,

 

I purchased and registered a motorbike here in Chiang Mai in Dec of 2024.  A friend just pointed out to me the other day that my expiration on my sticker/paper (kept in the tube on the bike) expires July 2025.  I was under the impression that it was 1 year at a time.  This was my first vehicle purchase inside Thailand.  Any clues as to what is the norm? 

 

I did try to reach out to the DLT website email, but no replies yet.  I also cannot fill out the form on my computer with the Thai/Numeric mixed character license plate (it won't let me paste in either). 

 

I'll make a trip down there at the end of the month if nothing else, but hoping there might be some insight here.  Thank you.

[richard_smith237]

Questions

 

1) Did you buy the Bike AFTER it was registered and taxed (i.e. did it already have white plates on the back ?)

2) Did you buy the Bike new or second hand ?

 

 

Other points: 

- Tax is for 1 year year, from Registration.

- Don't bother trying to reach any official system via e-mail here, its a no goer.

[johng]

Just go to one of the vehicle testing stations   displaying this sign

 

They can sort everything out for you.

[jonworldtexan]

15 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Questions

 

1) Did you buy the Bike AFTER it was registered and taxed (i.e. did it already have white plates on the back ?)

2) Did you buy the Bike new or second hand ?

 

 

Other points: 

- Tax is for 1 year year, from Registration.

- Don't bother trying to reach any official system via e-mail here, its a no goer.

 

Thanks for the info.  I had to get a new plate for it, I know it was pre-owned by someone in Bangkok.  They gave me a new Chiang Mai plate.    It's a 2021 model and used.  

[jonworldtexan]

15 hours ago, johng said:

Just go to one of the vehicle testing stations   displaying this sign

 

They can sort everything out for you.

Ok cool, thanks for the info.  I'll look that up!

[KhunBENQ]

4 minutes ago, jonworldtexan said:

 

Thanks for the info.  I had to get a new plate for it, I know it was pre-owned by someone in Bangkok.  They gave me a new Chiang Mai plate.    It's a 2021 model and used.  

I guess the previous owner had due date in July?

Did you get a new book or still the original one. And can you see the whole history of tax payments?

[KhunBENQ]

15 hours ago, jonworldtexan said:

I was under the impression that it was 1 year at a time. 

Yes but always starting from the first/original registration in the book.

When you purchased in December it was likely overdue since July?

[KhunBENQ]

Deleted

[richard_smith237]

5 hours ago, jonworldtexan said:

 

Thanks for the info.  I had to get a new plate for it, I know it was pre-owned by someone in Bangkok.  They gave me a new Chiang Mai plate.    It's a 2021 model and used.  

 

Understood - in that case, there was likely 6 months tax owed on the previous registration.

 

i.e. the tax had expired on the Motorcycle (under original plates) for 6 months prior to your 're-registration.

 

Thus; Your 12 month Tax payment (the square you get) was back-dated to 6 months and you get the remaining 6 months on the new registration plate before having to re-tax for another 12 months.

 

[Agusts]

On 7/10/2025 at 8:29 AM, KhunBENQ said:

Yes but always starting from the first/original registration in the book.

When you purchased in December it was likely overdue since July?

 

This is your answer, no matter what, when, where tax renewed, it always start from exact same date was first registered. The penalty is 1 baht per month late, as far as I remember, so no problem if late... (only problem is police, if they stop and check, they fine a lot more...!) 

[VocalNeal]

On 7/9/2025 at 4:44 PM, jonworldtexan said:

I was under the impression that it was 1 year at a time.  This was my first vehicle purchase inside Thailand.  Any clues as to what is the norm? 

 

It costs 102 Baht why worry? 

[Unamerican]

4 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

It costs 102 Baht why worry?

What does cost this?

And what about all the rest that is needed, beyond any cash payments? 

[VocalNeal]

3 hours ago, Unamerican said:

What does cost this?

 

The motorbike tax for a year. But if you are late you have to deduct from the future your arears.

No forms to fill in. 

[VocalNeal]

3 hours ago, Unamerican said:

And what about all the rest that is needed, beyond any cash payments? 

 

If the bike is more than 5 years old,I believe, it will need a safety check see johnmg's post above. That costs about 60 baht. No forms to fill in.

[UWEB]

On 7/10/2025 at 8:21 AM, jonworldtexan said:

Ok cool, thanks for the info.  I'll look that up!

Before you can pay the Tax you need the compulsory Insurance. you will get it in the Inspection Shop as well.

[jonworldtexan]

On 7/14/2025 at 9:28 AM, VocalNeal said:

 

It costs 102 Baht why worry? 

I'm not worried on the cost.  Remember, I bought the bike several months ago and have already paid everything.  My specific question is why was it only registered for half a year instead of a full year.

[jonworldtexan]

On 7/14/2025 at 7:10 PM, UWEB said:

Before you can pay the Tax you need the compulsory Insurance. you will get it in the Inspection Shop as well.

Yes, I bought the bike back in December, and registered everything completely in January.  All of that has long been taken care of.  The question was simply why was the registration for 6 months instead of a year.

[VocalNeal]

2 minutes ago, jonworldtexan said:

I'm not worried on the cost.  Remember, I bought the bike several months ago and have already paid everything.  My specific question is why was it only registered for half a year instead of a full year.

 

Because at the time of purchase it was 6 months in arrears?

 

The thing is in Asia, don't over think the why. Just go with the flow.