Just bought a new motorbike from a dealership. Confused about registration and insurance...

[CrashTestDummy]

Greetings,

My wife and I just arrived in CM a few days ago from the US. We plan on living here for at least a year, so we purchased a new motorbike from the "Yamaha Main Dealer" on Prapokkloa Road in Chiang Mai.

The employee at Yamaha said there was no need to go to any Thai government office, such as Land Transport Department or some other DMV equivalent, to register the bike or otherwise pay some fees. She also said we have "accident insurance" for one year, and provided a some paperwork (in Thai, of course), which I'm told is proof of this.

The folks at Yamaha provided us with some documents which we've been directed to show to the police until we get our license plate and whatever other documents we should expect to receive. Dealer said it could take up to 2 months, but usually less.

The motorbike was registered in my wife's name because she has Thai citizenship. She's spent her adult life in the US though and is just as unfamiliar with this stuff as I am... And she can't read Thai, so she's no help in decrypting the documents received from the dealer.

Am I correct in understanding that by registering the vehicle in my wife's name, we've also somehow paid for the compulsory insurance? Should I expect to have to take any additional steps to make sure we're doing this properly?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

[Rdrokit]

The dealer usually will register the bike and pay the compulsory insurance for the first year and it is included in the price of the bike. After the first year you will have to go to the Transportation office or a One Stop shop and pay the fees yourself. It can take up to a couple months to get your license plate and green book which is your title. The compulsory insurance only covers medical bills of the other driver. You should buy an additional 1st class insurance policy. They are cheap and cover liability and collision. Welcome to Thailand. By chance are you a veteran as there is a VFW Post in CM.

[papa al]

​Mai pen rai.

Yes don't worry.

Dealership will handle it.

The included, mandatory insurance covers hospital costs up to 50,000baht or something.

It is considered proper form for new poster to include pic of bike in question.

Bonus for pic of wife.

[Nickymaster]

You should have a small computer printed insurance paper. Easy to recognize otherwise just ask anybody on the street. This together with an invoice of the bike is enough to drive around until the plates and green registration book arrives from your dealer.

There are really many threads on this in this forum.

[bkk6060]

So the dude has hospital coverage in an accident for $1500? OK, good luck with that when you break your arm, leg, and shatter your pelvis.

PS: Get some additional coverage.

Edited May 18, 2016 by bkk6060

[CrashTestDummy]

So the dude has hospital coverage in an accident for $1500? OK, good luck with that when you break your arm, leg, and shatter your pelvis.

PS: Get some additional coverage.

Yeah, we plan on it.

[Don Mega]

So the dude has hospital coverage in an accident for $1500? OK, good luck with that when you break your arm, leg, and shatter your pelvis.

PS: Get some additional coverage.

the CTP does not cover the driver/rider.

[bkk6060]

So the dude has hospital coverage in an accident for $1500? OK, good luck with that when you break your arm, leg, and shatter your pelvis.

PS: Get some additional coverage.

the CTP does not cover the driver/rider.

Got it OK.

It is like a liability policy in the states covers the bike only.

thanks

[Don Mega]

So the dude has hospital coverage in an accident for $1500? OK, good luck with that when you break your arm, leg, and shatter your pelvis.

PS: Get some additional coverage.

the CTP does not cover the driver/rider.

Got it OK.

It is like a liability policy in the states covers the bike only.

thanks

No. it covers other people you kill or maim.

here read this thread.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674648-ctpl-compulsory-third-party-insurance-for-motorbikes/

[cnx355]

Official web site to explain PRB or in English :compulsory insurance:

This compagny sell the compulsory insurance and seems to be mandated to handle the claims on compulsory insurance for all the companies that sell it.

( read the text to be sure )

Road Accident Victims Protection Co., Ltd.

http://www.rvp.co.th/index_en.php

[Don Mega]

Tanks for the link cnx. did not know they now cover driver/rider.

am always happy to learn something new.

[Stevemercer]

Yes, don't worry. The dealer will call your wife when the plates and registration sticker are sent to them in a few months. You can then go back to the shop and they will bolt on the licence plate etc.

I assume you have an international permit so you can ride the bike. You can get a Thai motorcycle and Thai car licence once you have settled into a semi-permanent address.

[CrashTestDummy]

I assume you have an international permit so you can ride the bike. You can get a Thai motorcycle and Thai car licence once you have settled into a semi-permanent address.

Yeah, I picked up an international drivers license prior to leaving the US. We'll have a lease agreement soon and I plan to get a local license then. Thanks.

[Rdrokit]

I assume you have an international permit so you can ride the bike. You can get a Thai motorcycle and Thai car licence once you have settled into a semi-permanent address.

Yeah, I picked up an international drivers license prior to leaving the US. We'll have a lease agreement soon and I plan to get a local license then. Thanks.

Only good if it has noted that you are OK to drive a motorcycle. If not, then only good for a car. Not a problem as it is only a few hundred baht fine but if you get in an accident and do not have a valid motorcycle license the insurance company may not cover the accident.