Green book transfer: putting a motorbike or car in your name in Thailand

What it is

The green book is a motorcycle’s registration book; a car’s is blue (CM Immigration form tool, fetched 2026-09-28). A transfer puts the vehicle in your name at the Department of Land Transport (DLT), so you’re the legal owner.

Who needs it

Anyone buying a used motorbike or car from a private seller. Buying new from a dealer is simpler: the dealer usually handles registration and you collect the green book from them later (Thaiger, 2024, fetched 2026-09-28).

DTV holders can be the registered owner of a motorbike (founder, 2026-09-30).

Before you buy

• Check the VIN and engine number on the bike match the green book (Thaiger, 2024, fetched 2026-09-28).
• Check the seller’s name and ID match the owner in the green book, and that there’s no outstanding loan (same source).
• Check the annual road tax is current: it’s renewed every year at the DLT or a vehicle inspection centre (same source).

Step 1: get a residence certificate

Chiang Mai Immigration issues a residence certificate for “transfer motorcycle ownership” or “transfer car ownership”. On top of the standard documents (see Getting a residence certificate), it asks for, when buying used (CM form tool, fetched 2026-09-28):

• a copy of the first page of the registration book (green or blue);
• a copy of the ownership history page;
• a copy of the previous owner’s ID card or passport.

It costs 200 THB and takes 10 working days in Chiang Mai (founder, 2026-09-26). The residence certificate is valid 30 days from its date of issue, not from collection (founder, 2026-09-30), so do the transfer soon after you collect it. If you’re also getting a driving licence, one certificate can list both reasons on the Chiang Mai form.

Step 2: transfer at the DLT

Go to the DLT, ideally with the seller in person — recommended for foreigners — though a signed power of attorney is also accepted if the seller can’t attend (founder, 2026-09-30). Bring (Thaiger, 2024, fetched 2026-09-28):

• the green book;
• the ownership transfer form, signed by buyer and seller (blank forms are at the DLT);
• your passport and copies, and your proof of residence;
• the seller’s ID card (Thai) or passport (foreigner);
• a signed copy of the seller’s house registration book, if available.

The DLT checks the documents and updates the green book with your name.

Cost

• Transfer fee: 200 baht (Thaiger, 2024; confirm the current fee at the DLT before you go).
• Residence certificate: 200 THB in Chiang Mai (founder).
• Compulsory third-party insurance (CTPL) is a legal requirement, renewed yearly: 160 to 645 baht per year in 2024 (Thaiger, 2024, fetched 2026-09-28; 2024 figures, check before you go).

Where

Your provincial DLT office; in Chiang Mai, the Chiang Mai Provincial Land Transport Office.

Time needed

About two weeks for the residence certificate in Chiang Mai, then a DLT visit with the seller (or their power of attorney).

Common pitfalls

• Seller can’t come to the DLT. Agree before paying whether they’ll attend in person or sign a power of attorney instead.
• Numbers don’t match the green book: walk away.
• Residence certificate expired before the DLT visit — it’s valid 30 days from issue, not collection.
• Paying and riding off without transferring. Until the book is in your name, the vehicle is legally the seller’s.
• Lapsed road tax or CTPL. Both renew yearly.