The steps for reporting a change or transfer of vehicle registration

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If you want to change the vehicle registration to your current address, change the vehicle registration number to a lucky number, or swap license plates with another vehicle, you can make these changes by following the correct steps.

Here are the steps for various cases when changing vehicle registration:

1. Vehicle with Outstanding Financing

If your vehicle is still under financing, you will need to notify your financing company about your intention to change the vehicle registration. Request permission from the financing company to temporarily borrow the vehicle registration book and request a power of attorney letter to perform the registration change at the Department of Land Transport (DLT). There may be a deposit required for borrowing the registration book, typically around 2,000 - 5,000 Baht, depending on the terms of each company. Additionally, your vehicle should not have any outstanding payments.

After obtaining permission from the financing company, visit the local DLT office or the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (Chatuchak) if it's a customized plate to notify them of your intent to change the vehicle registration. Then wait to receive your new registration plates and return the old plates within 7-14 business days.

2. Changing to a Lucky Number

If you have a special number in mind that you want to use as your vehicle registration, you can reserve that number through various websites like https://reserve.dlt.go.th/reserve/ or https://www.tabienrod.com/.

After reserving the desired number, you will receive proof of the registration number reservation or a receipt of the auction fee payment. You can then use this documentation to apply for a registration change. You have the option to either register it as a new vehicle or swap the plate with an existing registered vehicle within your ownership.

3. New License Plate with the Same Number, Same Province

If you want to keep the same vehicle registration number and stay in the same province, you will need to go through a process to transfer your vehicle registration within the same province.

If you are changing your vehicle's registration province to match your current address (for fully paid or cash-bought vehicles), you can contact the local Department of Land Transport (DLT) office in your new province. In this case, you may not need to inform the DLT office in your previous province before the transfer. If you transfer within a province, your vehicle will be registered in that same province.

If you are transferring your vehicle registration within the same province, you should visit the DLT office specified in your registration book (see page 18). If the registration book doesn't have this information, you can inquire about the DLT office location with the buyer or the person who holds the right.

Please note that the process may vary slightly depending on local regulations and specific circumstances, so it's a good idea to contact the local DLT office for guidance and follow their instructions carefully.

4. Changing to Red License Plates

If you have recently purchased a new vehicle but wish to change or swap license plates with another vehicle, you will need to use the received license plate for at least 1 year before making any changes. This is in accordance with an announcement from the Department of Land Transport published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on March 27, 2019. The announcement states that "changing license plates is prohibited for a period of not less than 1 year from the date of the most recent license plate change," which can be verified by checking the date of the most recent vehicle registration in your registration book (see page 18).

Please note that these regulations are subject to change, and it's essential to verify the current rules and procedures with the Department of Land Transport or a relevant authority to ensure compliance with the law.

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5. Changing Registration to a Different Province

If you want to transfer your vehicle registration to a different province (different from the province listed in your current registration), you must first request a transfer out of your current province. After completing the transfer out process, you can proceed with the transfer to the new province. This transfer can only be done at the Provincial Transport Office or District Transport Office in the respective province/area.

Please be aware that the specific requirements and procedures may vary by province and can change over time, so it's essential to check with the relevant authorities or visit their official website for up-to-date information and guidance.

- Moving from a Different Province to Bangkok

• Moving Out and Moving In (Bangkok to Bangkok)

This option is suitable for individuals who have moved within Bangkok and find it inconvenient to return to the Provincial Transport Office or District Transport Office in their previous location. To do this, you should first inform the authorities in your previous district or province that you are moving out. Afterward, you can initiate the registration process in your new district or area within Bangkok. You will need to visit the Department of Land Transport or District Transport Office in your new location to complete the necessary paperwork and procedures. It's essential to verify the specific requirements and processes with the local authorities or check their official website for the most current information and guidance.

• Moving Out from Origin and Moving In to Destination (Inter-Provincial to Bangkok)

This method is generally faster than other options. When you notify your move-out at the Bangkok Transport Office (Bangkok District Transport Office - Chatuchak), the authorities will need to contact the Transport Office in your original province to process your vehicle's move-out registration. This process may take more than one day and may require you to visit the Chatuchak District Transport Office twice: once to process the move-out and again to inspect your vehicle's condition for the new registration. If you initiated the move-out registration from the beginning, you can proceed with the move-in registration without a lengthy delay.

- Moving from Bangkok to Another Province

• Moving Out of the Origin and Into the Destination (Bangkok to Another Province)

You can notify the Transport Office where your vehicle is currently registered to deregister it from the origin. Then, notify the Transport Office in the area where you intend to use the vehicle to register it anew. This process allows you to transfer your vehicle's registration from Bangkok to another province efficiently.

• Moving Out of the Origin and Into the Destination (Inter-Provincial to Another Inter-Provincial)

If your vehicle is fully paid off, and you want to transfer the vehicle's registration to another province, you can apply for a new license plate at the Transport Office in the province you intend to move to. In this case, there's no need to notify the deregistration of the vehicle in Bangkok first. However, you will need to complete two steps: first, notify the deregistration of the vehicle at the origin, and then, within 15 days, go to the Transport Office at the destination to complete the vehicle registration transfer along with the vehicle inspection.

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Required documents for changing vehicle license plate registration:

• Vehicle Registration Book (original + copy)
• Owner's National ID card (original + copy)
• Certificate of Company Registration (for legal entities, valid for up to 6 months)
• Copy of the ID card of the authorized signatory (for legal entities)
• Power of Attorney document with a copy of the recipient's ID card (if the vehicle owner cannot comple

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The fees for changing a vehicle registration number in Thailand are as follows:

• Application fee: 5 Baht
• Vehicle Registration Book fee: 100 Baht
• License plate fee: Regular plate - 100 Baht, Auction plate - 600 Baht
• Request for vehicle registration search or additional registration document amendments: Motorcycles - 10 Baht, Other vehicles - 50 Baht
• Vehicle transfer fee: 100 Baht
• Vehicle relocation fee: Motorcycles - 50 Baht, Other vehicles - 20 Baht
• Vehicle inspection fee: Motorcycles - 10 Baht, Other vehicles - 50 Baht
• Request for the use or change of the vehicle registration number: Regular plate - 500 Baht, Auction plate - 1,500 Baht
• Certification fee for sending vehicle and engine documents to different provinces: 5 Baht
• Other miscellaneous fees: 20 Baht
• Certification fee for copy documents: 20 Baht

Read More: Can I still arrange financing if I have misplaced my vehicle registration book?

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