Green Vehicle Registration Document

Looking for some information about vehicle registration, looks like I can own a motorbike and use it on the highway without a registration document, (I Think its called The Green BooK)

Does anyone know what risks or problems I can encounter if I do not have this registration document?

Once again sorry to be a bore if this subject has been covered before but I cant find any info in the Forum archives.

Cheers

This is by no means gospel, but my understanding is that you can drive the bike with a copy of the bill of sale and insurance, however you can still be fined 2000 baht for no registration, after receiving the fine you can not be fined again for 1 month, but make sure you carry a copy of the ticket. Anyone heard different?

My own experience with a new bike (two years ago) was driving with the bill of sale, insurance AND a c0py of the tax application that was submitted to the authorities by the Honda dealer. I was stopped once by the police and this was accepted.

The green book is the registration document showing who the vehicle is registered to (not who owns it).
Naturally you are required to notify the relevant office on change of permanent ownership.
If you hire a vehicle - then of course it will actually belong to someone else but you are driving with their permission.
If you purchase a vehicle - car or motorcycle - why wouldn't you want to register it anyway and keep legal ?
As mentioned already - purchasers of new vehicles are given some dispensation if stopped without proper documentation (usually 30 days but very discretionary).
Again - most problems will occur if you have an incident and they inspect all the documents - could be the wrong time to realise things are not in order.

Thanks Gentlemen, looks like the same system we have in the UK. I raised the question as bike dealers around the town seem happy to sell these machines without this document. I have no problem with wanting to keep the vehicle legal except that my G/F tells me that if I do register a vehicle thats not already registered, then I will be liable to pay Half of the vehicle's purchase price as a registration Fee.

Thats makes my good deal on a Yamaha 750 FZR for 90,000 baht, not so good if I end up paying 135,000.

Two important things to look for when obtaining a vehicle: The green Book (Registration Book) and an actual number plate.
Sure you can buy a vehicle without these (and probrably get away without being stopped in somewhere like Udon) - but as mentioned, it could be very difficult when something bad happens and then you have to explain your way out of it.
Vehicles without these two things are usually much much cheaper.
For your information - a rough guide is that to get a plate and green book on a motorcycle would be about 60,000 baht.
Vehicles without these things are often imports - and also possible 'brought in' in many boxes as 'spares' and then re-assembled over here.
Up2U

Thanks for the info Paul, the fog is now clearing

I bought this bike about 8 months ago now, and think I've had my money's worth out of it, I bought in my G/F's name and she insured it for us both to ride, no plate, but has some sort of certificate sellotaped to the rear mud guard. Not been stopped so far and have parked the bike in the City Police Station many times.

She is Gov Staff too, maybe thats why they leave us alone.

They leave you alone because its sleepy Udon !

Try riding a bike without a plate in Bkk or Pattaya for example - you better have a ready supply of 200 baht's

The 'certificate sellotaped to the rear mudguard' sounds like either the tax disc or the insurance disc (which are no longer issued - as of earlier this year)

If its a decent bike - it is sometimes worth getting a green book for it - but it's not easy and would have to be a really well loved bike.

As Paul said, you may get problems outside a city,on the highway...and you do not really know if your insurance is willing to pay in case of an accident! As a biker I understand the excitment driving a big bike but after owning a Suzuki Bandit in Udon (fake numberplate;spare part import-like most thai big bikes) I sold it to a (even more crazy than me) Thai guy...and decided to buy a thai made Yamaha Scooter which I registered easily to my name.The advantage: no wet legs after rain; more acceptance to drive in the motorcycle"lain" buy a small TV. load it...no doubt about a valid insurance,and the spare parts: Bandit rear tyre 4000 Yamaha Scooter 80 Baht, buy a sprocket and a chain for your Honda Wave 140 Baht. And think about resale value which drops far less than a second hand bike in your home country! More questions?

My wife assures me that it costs only Bht 1.400 to get your green book and registration for a new motorbike. Her Nephew bought a Honda "click" about 4 months ago and thats what it cost him. She seems to think that the prices quoted above could only be Falang price I have no experience personally so I must take my wifes word for it

I think when I bought my Honda Wave Z (Mini Hog) about 2 1/2 years ago the rego etc was included in the price. Is the original poster asking about a second hand motor cycle?

John

Of course,registration fees for Thaimade bikes are low and often included if you buy a new bike! But imported bikes (most illegally-build up from spare parts) can not be registered except by paying a varying 50t to 80tousand Bahts tax and this is for Farang and THAI as well!

If you build a kit car in your home country and want to register it - they will want to check it over thoroughly, including checks that the frame and engine are not stolen parts.
Its a similar set up here when you present them with an un-registered 2nd hand bike.
Most people wouldn't touch a bike without a book and/plate - but out of the big cities nobody cares and the cost is often half what it would be if it were 'legal'

Buying a new motorbike is a completely different story - and much less painful.

Thanks Paul and and everyone's contribution to this subject,

Unfortunately as you are aware I have unwittingly gone down the path of the not having The green reg Book, however I can't complain as the little beau't has served me well, I bought it to keep me on the road while my pickup was being repaired, that took 8 weeks.

PS: Learning all the time.