Driving To Malaysia

[Samuiclaudia]

Hi

This may have been covered before in the Forum but I don't usually look at the motoring one. We have a Thai registered truck and will be driving to Malaysia for a 2 week holiday.

We have been told we have to get special insurance for the car but no-one seems to be able to tell us exactly what

Can anyone help here please?

Thank you

[H2oDunc]

Hi I believe you can get the required insurance at the border. If you go to www.gt-rider.com they have a section on exactly what you need to cross each border.Is mainly for bikers but Its a great source of information on driving around the SE Asia region.

[samran]

you'll have to get a letter from the Department of Land Transport which transliterates the Thai registration into Romanised letters/numbers. Costs less than 100 baht.

You'll need the ownership papers (blue book) or permission from the owner to take it out of the country.

[Maigo6]

I have done it a few times...

I even done it in a Suzuki Jeep all the way from Pattaya to Penang, not recommended by the way !!

By pick up and Motorcycle too.

No probs as long as you have the paperwork in order, insurance is available at the border.

Edited September 20, 2007 by Maigo6

[rcalsop]

you'll have to get a letter from the Department of Land Transport which transliterates the Thai registration into Romanised letters/numbers. Costs less than 100 baht.

You'll need the ownership papers (blue book) or permission from the owner to take it out of the country.

It`s real easy if you have a Thai wife get her to ring this number and follow directions this is the telephone number of one of the little booths that arrange everything on the border they will do it in advance so when you arrive the insuarnce and all the paper work is ready for you I have made the trip 6 times now no hassel . My Thai wife got the number from a friend and at first it sounded too easy and not very straight but I have found it straight and kosher with no hassel ,good service. I bring our Thai registered car in for 3 months at a time to Malaysia I buy compulsary insurance and road tax with the number plate (stick ons ) translation cost 3250 baht for every thing for 6 months. with an interim paper work on the customs and road tax fee every 3 months not that much much . If your car is financed they can still do it you should have a letter from the finance comany ...it is not really needed trust the girl in the border booth she is good just get your wfe to explain exactly your situation with dates etc fax down the info on the car ( i think we pre paid the first time till we knew the girl ) and when you get there bingo it is all done ..check on times and holiday dates though . The drive ...two of us drive myself +wife plus two kids in the back ..it takes 20 to 22 hours from BKK to Penang with food stops and driving steady . time it right and get the best driving conditions last time we set off at 8:00 pm from BKK which allowed a lot of the driving on the worst roads without much traffic and arrived at the border when it was open and not too busy . The Thai number is ..mobile 0892989139 main number or 074557062 last one rarely used 0894646112 I think only Thai spoken ask for Katcha make sure you call in advance and when finally confirmed give them 2/3 days to arrange the papers for you the first time ,then the day before ring to check all is okay we also ring on the way to double check but that is me being a cautious Brit . Let me know how you got on

[Samuiclaudia]

Thank you for all of your help. Lots of very good info.

We don't have a Thai wife but do have lots of good Thai friends and I aill ask them to help me

[Crossy]

There is some concern about window tinting and its legality in Malaysia.

Anyone got accurate information as to what's permitted on foreign vehicles? I don't have a dark tint, but I don't want to have it removed either.

[rcalsop]

There is some concern about window tinting and its legality in Malaysia.

Anyone got accurate information as to what's permitted on foreign vehicles? I don't have a dark tint, but I don't want to have it removed either.

Yes the window tinting rules are strict I had heavy tint silvered ( it looked great ) on my Thai car ...I had changed the front to much clearer to avoid the Malaysian hassel but was still stopped ,or at least my wife was and paid the fine ....I had it all redone to Mlaysian specs ...Be aware it may cause a problem and a fine ...how much it depends on how sweetly you smile and grovel .

BUT beware speeding is a real problem when I first came here I was paying 6 tickets a month ( speed cameras ) 62 kl in a 50 zone not super speeds apart from 124 on the high way 110 limit ...the cost 300rm a ticket that is 3000 baht ( I got discount for bulk at the local station and paid 100 a ticket ).

Note during festival the speed limits on Highways are reduced and strictly enforced I think this Ramadan it is about 90 K max on the highways .....they do enforce by camera and checks and the police are not Thai police ...!!!!!!! I hope you understand my meaning one step closer to the UK bobby ,

[El Taco Loco]

I have driven to Penang and it was like comparing apples to oranges. Nice 4 lane highway. Toll all the way. No idiots driving on the wrong side of the road, etc etc.

At Sadao border, cross to Malaysia. Go to first window at drive through, hand in passports, then the next window to pay for visa and car entering ML.

A few short metres in, make a U turn, as the transport office and insurance companies (several competing for your business) are.

Go to insurance company first. Take your reg, dl (Romanized. Get it done at your local Thai DL office). You will pay extra for two black and white license tags (romanized), etc etc. 30 insurance is about 800 baht. You can buy upto 6 months.

The insurance people will come to the car, verify VIN and tell you where to place the sticker tags.

Then go into the transport office, show DL, vehicle reg, insurance papers. They print out a large square blue paper that must go behind windshield. It denotes VIN and length of validity. You will be asked how long you will be in ML. Careful, as they only give you as much time as you tell them.

I did not have to show proof of ownership. Strange. But that may have changed as the situation in the south is deteriorating and they may check for more papers.

[rcalsop]

I have driven to Penang and it was like comparing apples to oranges. Nice 4 lane highway. Toll all the way. No idiots driving on the wrong side of the road, etc etc.

At Sadao border, cross to Malaysia. Go to first window at drive through, hand in passports, then the next window to pay for visa and car entering ML.

A few short metres in, make a U turn, as the transport office and insurance companies (several competing for your business) are.

Go to insurance company first. Take your reg, dl (Romanized. Get it done at your local Thai DL office). You will pay extra for two black and white license tags (romanized), etc etc. 30 insurance is about 800 baht. You can buy upto 6 months.

The insurance people will come to the car, verify VIN and tell you where to place the sticker tags.

Then go into the transport office, show DL, vehicle reg, insurance papers. They print out a large square blue paper that must go behind windshield. It denotes VIN and length of validity. You will be asked how long you will be in ML. Careful, as they only give you as much time as you tell them.

I did not have to show proof of ownership. Strange. But that may have changed as the situation in the south is deteriorating and they may check for more papers.

Cheaper quicker and easier at the Thai side ....but you are correct about the border crossing within 500 metres you go from the wild west town to manicured smooth highways with rules and signs that actually make sense .