What's Going On ? Plates Again.

[tombkk]

I didn't check with the insurance company in Thailand, I just assumed they have the same rules as in Europe about illegally driving a vehicle on the road. If they have different rules here, I stand corrected.

Did you actually insure your car before you got the plates? I'm curious now.

Yes, insurance came with the car, but plates did not, not available. No problem checked with the company and was told all was ok, even going on road trip and driving at night, and received this in writing.

In general it is not a good idea to assume they have the same rules as in Europe about anything.

You are right about your last sentence.

I received the insurance documents with the white plates, not when I picked up the car three months earlier with red plates. I will check the date on that insurance doc.

[stevenl]

I didn't check with the insurance company in Thailand, I just assumed they have the same rules as in Europe about illegally driving a vehicle on the road. If they have different rules here, I stand corrected.

Did you actually insure your car before you got the plates? I'm curious now.

Yes, insurance came with the car, but plates did not, not available. No problem checked with the company and was told all was ok, even going on road trip and driving at night, and received this in writing.

In general it is not a good idea to assume they have the same rules as in Europe about anything.

You are right about your last sentence.

I received the insurance documents with the white plates, not when I picked up the car three months earlier with red plates. I will check the date on that insurance doc.

With my present car I received documents on vehicle delivery, with previous car with white plates. But in both cases (different companies) checked and received in writing on insurance cover in case of driving with red plates/without plates and driving at night, out of province, etc.

[NanLaew]

Bought the new truck in my name, on finance end of March in Udon with first class insurance. After a month, I asked for red plates since I was doing some out of province runs and having a plateless and stickerless truck may attract police attention (it hadn't so far). They gave me red plates which only guaranteed getting pulled aside at every <deleted>' traffic stop where they were ONLY interested in seeing the accompanying log book filled out correctly! Sorry Somchai, been there, done that, no beer money for you! In August, I dropped by to see if the plates were ready. They had the rego number and road-tax sticker but still no white plates (factory paint problem backlog ongoing). However, they took the pesky red plates back and for the next couple of months driving with a valid tax sticker but no plates at all didn't attract ANY police attention anywhere. Got my white plates last night; just dropped by, collected them and fitted them myself back home. They were probably ready much earlier but I was out of the country. I had to sign and date a big ledger saying I had received them.

Now, what's this about the OP's wife telling him that her brother had to take the new car to Bangkok to get the white plates fitted 3 weeks ago?

[jbrain]

Bought the new truck in my name, on finance end of March in Udon with first class insurance. After a month, I asked for red plates since I was doing some out of province runs and having a plateless and stickerless truck may attract police attention (it hadn't so far). They gave me red plates which only guaranteed getting pulled aside at every <deleted>' traffic stop where they were ONLY interested in seeing the accompanying log book filled out correctly! Sorry Somchai, been there, done that, no beer money for you! In August, I dropped by to see if the plates were ready. They had the rego number and road-tax sticker but still no white plates (factory paint problem backlog ongoing). However, they took the pesky red plates back and for the next couple of months driving with a valid tax sticker but no plates at all didn't attract ANY police attention anywhere. Got my white plates last night; just dropped by, collected them and fitted them myself back home. They were probably ready much earlier but I was out of the country. I had to sign and date a big ledger saying I had received them.

Now, what's this about the OP's wife telling him that her brother had to take the new car to Bangkok to get the white plates fitted 3 weeks ago?

What is that paint problem going on for years already?

I got my number 3 years ago and the area which is supposed to be whit is almost dark grey now and seems to come off.Have seen loads of cars with the same problem.

So now after 3 years they still don't get things sorted out?There wasn't a problem with this anytime prior to 3 years ago.

Do I smell a backhander issue?

[arthurwait]

White plates do take a couple of months in Bangkok now. The official told me (a few months ago) that this is due to the first-car incentive by the government and many people buying new (first) cars now. I dont know about the provinces but can imagine the same.

In the meantime, you can drive your car on the red plates. They dont really need the car back to change the plates (you could this this if they sent you the plates bt EMS), but I guess they want to ensure they get their red plates back.

Thats the draw-back of buying new vehicles cross-province.

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Thanks.

Is the length of time - one a half weeks or more normal for them to do it ?

And for them to request the car to do it within a month ?

I'm not sure I understand your question. If they ask for the car to be brought to the showroom so they can exchange the red plate against the white plate, it will take a minute and a half (or a few minutes...).

If they ask the car to be there for a week and a half, make sure you know how many miles were on the odometer before you gave it to them - chances are they rented it out. There is absolutely no reason for them to keep the car overnight, because they will only ask you to come in after they have the white plates in their hands.

Sorry haven't been on here for a few days.

Yep they asked for they car and it would now have been around 2 weeks and nothing.

Wife didn't note the mileage, but BIL picked the car up after a few days and is parked at one of their places in Bangkok away from the dealer still waiting for them to say they can do it. Now supposedly this week. I'm not holding my breath.

[arthurwait]

Your brother in law took your new car back to Bangkok a few weeks ago to get the white plates fitted by the dealership.

I see.

He drives a 370Z he's not going to be bothered with this car.

[arthurwait]

The point here is that even though the White plates are delayed, there's no reason the OP shouldn't have possession of his car until they're ready. Surely, the answer to this lies with the OPs brother-in-law.

Wife took it to them. BIL picked it up after I told her of my suspicions. The wife paid for the car not me.

[Payboy]

The point here is that even though the White plates are delayed, there's no reason the OP shouldn't have possession of his car until they're ready. Surely, the answer to this lies with the OPs brother-in-law.

Wife took it to them. BIL picked it up after I told her of my suspicions. The wife paid for the car not me.

So the vehicle is with the BIL and he's keeping it for some undisclosed reason. Perhaps the wife knows more than she's letting on.

[arthurwait]

The point here is that even though the White plates are delayed, there's no reason the OP shouldn't have possession of his car until they're ready. Surely, the answer to this lies with the OPs brother-in-law.

Wife took it to them. BIL picked it up after I told her of my suspicions. The wife paid for the car not me.

So the vehicle is with the BIL and he's keeping it for some undisclosed reason. Perhaps the wife knows more than she's letting on.

I'll be parking at the condos today so hopefully I'll see it there.

If she wants to pay for a car and give it to her brother to drive then it's her money I suppose. I'll happily take his in exchange.

The condos are not that far from the dealer where as we are. With the businesses, her mother ill, my mother visiting and the baby we don't have tome to keep driving it up there everytime they say it's ready.

[arthurwait]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's sort of made me feel I'm not being paranoid. Hopefully we'll get it sorted this week as they say. Not holding my breath though.

[tombkk]

There should be no reason to have the car parked at BILs condo. It now sounds to me like a false alarm from the vendor: ‘We are sure we‘ll get the plates today‘ - ‘Oh sorry please wait a moment.‘

If that is the case, take the car back and ask them to call when the plates are actually in their hands, I‘d suggest.

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[MrJ]

just got my white number plate today for my scooter purchased in 02/2012 in Pattaya - wow only 9 months

[tombkk]

I checked my insurance policy. It was indeed issued a couple of days before I received the car with the red plates. It does not mention the licence plate number but only the VIN number. So I stand corrected.

[robblok]

Took me 2 1/2 month to get the white plates, all in all not too long. Had red plates in the meantime. The book however i have to get today. Strange that i had plates but not yet the car's book. I was also insured right from the start.

Did expected to get hassled by the police over the red plates... but it did not happen. Good thing.

[stevenl]

just got my white number plate today for my scooter purchased in 02/2012 in Pattaya - wow only 9 months

Blame your dealer, there are no problems with the motorbike plates (at least for 2 bikes I bought I received the plates after 1 month).

[arthurwait]

thanks for the input. The cars back here at the moment on the red plates. Whats the next step , wait for them to contact us or do we have to push it ?

[NanLaew]

thanks for the input. The cars back here at the moment on the red plates. Whats the next step , wait for them to contact us or do we have to push it ?

Since they appear to have f*cked you around for no reason, I reckon they send the plates to you via EMS when they have them and you send the red plates and log book back the same way.

[arthurwait]

thanks for the input. The cars back here at the moment on the red plates. Whats the next step , wait for them to contact us or do we have to push it ?

Since they appear to have f*cked you around for no reason, I reckon they send the plates to you via EMS when they have them and you send the red plates and log book back the same way.

Sounds good, but all I can imagine hearing when I suggest it is "Mai bpen rai"

[jbrain]

thanks for the input. The cars back here at the moment on the red plates. Whats the next step , wait for them to contact us or do we have to push it ?

Since they appear to have f*cked you around for no reason, I reckon they send the plates to you via EMS when they have them and you send the red plates and log book back the same way.

Sounds good, but all I can imagine hearing when I suggest it is "Mai bpen rai"

If you hear that, i would suggest Mai bpen rai

[jonw8uk]

Took me 2 1/2 month to get the white plates, all in all not too long. Had red plates in the meantime. The book however i have to get today. Strange that i had plates but not yet the car's book. I was also insured right from the start.

Did expected to get hassled by the police over the red plates... but it did not happen. Good thing.

Took me around the same to get my white plates, but I did get hassled by the (Bangkok) police various times driving with my red ones. 1000b fine from the highway police as the red plates were "fake". I think its a tax/insurance thing, these red plates must have a stamp on them. Needless to say I passed my fine onto the dealer, and with lots of calls and moaning they got my plates through relatively quick.

Officially the registration office says it should around 2 weeks to issue plates, and that the dealers drag their feet. The dealers blame the registration people for delays. Being that 3 weeks after I'd taken my car, then the dealer calls me in to sign some paperwork for the registration they had 'forgotton', I'd say it's totally the dealers who slow the whole thing down, with their poor customer care after you've paid.

[NanLaew]

thanks for the input. The cars back here at the moment on the red plates. Whats the next step , wait for them to contact us or do we have to push it ?

Since they appear to have f*cked you around for no reason, I reckon they send the plates to you via EMS when they have them and you send the red plates and log book back the same way.

Sounds good, but all I can imagine hearing when I suggest it is "Mai bpen rai"

Well arthur, unless it's your money and your car, I reckon you don't have a dog in this fight.

[up-country_sinclair]

Took 6 months (almost to the day) to get white plates. By the way, I was driving around with no plates at all for those 6 months. I paid cash for the car so I assumed the dealer was sitting on it as long as possible to gain interest.

[funcat]

I just got mine yesterday...3 months wait...

[kimamey]

I haven't read all the posts so my apologies if this has been dealt with but I'm short of time.

We ordered a Honda Jazz in January. Took delivery in June. Still waiting for plates. We don't have red plates and i doubt there are enough to go round.

[NanLaew]

I haven't read all the posts so my apologies if this has been dealt with but I'm short of time.

We ordered a Honda Jazz in January. Took delivery in June. Still waiting for plates. We don't have red plates and i doubt there are enough to go round.

You should have your tax certificate and window sticker by now. If not, stir up the dealership. You may get your white plates in January or February.

If you are driving locally, then no real problems although you are breaking the law (along with thousands of others). The white plate shortage is national problem so police are more... forgiving shall we say? Red plates are handy if you find yourself traveling outwith your locale and I had to request a set from my dealer as I was driving all over the shop. But make sure that they come with the accompanying trip log book. New car + red plates + farang driver = traffic stop. They usually only want to see if you have filled in the trip log book and are quite put out when you have!

[BlackPuddingBertha]

New car + red plates + farang driver = traffic stop. They usually only want to see if you have filled in the trip log book and are quite put out when you have!

I have been driving around with red plates and no windscreen sticker for over 4 months, including to Rayong province which is not where my plates come from. I have never been stopped though I've been past many checkpoints. In fact I would say that the police seem to specifically wave me past rather than stop me, apparently preferring to stop Thais in older vehicles.

I've never even looked in the trip log book either, let alone filled it in.

Hopefully my plates and tax sticker will come before I am stopped.

[NanLaew]

New car + red plates + farang driver = traffic stop. They usually only want to see if you have filled in the trip log book and are quite put out when you have!

I have been driving around with red plates and no windscreen sticker for over 4 months, including to Rayong province which is not where my plates come from. I have never been stopped though I've been past many checkpoints. In fact I would say that the police seem to specifically wave me past rather than stop me, apparently preferring to stop Thais in older vehicles.

I've never even looked in the trip log book either, let alone filled it in.

Hopefully my plates and tax sticker will come before I am stopped.

Well done for staying below the radar! Maybe I should have said 'usually' means traffic stop. Sometimes it also depends on what vehicle you are driving. When I was driving a red-plated (Udon) truck through Bangkok, I was pulled over several times and they always went straight for the logbook. I would assume if my red plates were issued in Bangkok or one of the Eastern Provinces (where there's loads of farangs in red-plated vehicles), then they would not have bothered. To be sure, my cross country, overnight runs, red plated (illegal) between Pattaya and Udon via Kabinburi and Korat never resulted in any extra checks; just waived on through the usual traffic stops, only the daylight rozzers lurking at the Bangkok expressway tollbooths were the tossers!

[chuenyongman]

To Tom BKK.

I questioned my wife over driving our car without number plates. She said there were non available either red or white. We have questioned our dealer at least 3 times regarding the number plates. They reply they are still waiting for delivery. I also asked my wife about the car insurance. She paid the insurance the day we picked up the car ,so it must be insured if it has been paid.

.

[tombkk]

To Tom BKK.

I questioned my wife over driving our car without number plates. She said there were non available either red or white. We have questioned our dealer at least 3 times regarding the number plates. They reply they are still waiting for delivery. I also asked my wife about the car insurance. She paid the insurance the day we picked up the car ,so it must be insured if it has been paid.

.

Where are you ( province)? I read over here that in some provinces it is quite normal to drive without plates (be prepared to pay a fine, and make sure to pass it on to the dealer). However, for the insurance (which doesn't depend on the plates, as we have learned), make sure you'll get it in writing.

I do not subscribe to the logic that insurance has been covered because they allowed you to pick up the car, or that you paid for it without receipt ensures that the dealer has passed the premium on to the insurance company.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

I do not subscribe to the logic that insurance has been covered because they allowed you to pick up the car, or that you paid for it without receipt ensures that the dealer has passed the premium on to the insurance company.

Nor do I. I would (and did) bitch and moan and complain to the dealer every day until I was provided with a proper printed insurance document from the insurer.