Insuring & taxing a vehicle in Thailand
Everything you need to know about compulsory insurance, voluntary insurance, road tax, and the easiest way to get them all set up.
Insurance
You need to insure your vehicle in Thailand to drive or ride legally. Not only is it a legal requirement, road accidents in Thailand are common. The combination of modern cars, with an education system that in some ways allows you to buy your licence, or only spend 10-15 hours on the road in lessons – results in a large number of drivers who are a danger to everybody else. It’s also common for people to drive without a licence or insurance, then pay a small fine and be on their way.
To be road legal you’ll need three things:
- A valid Thai driving licence (two separate licences and cards for each car and motorcycle). Alternatively an international driving permit (international driving licences alone are not enough).
- Compulsory insurance, locally called “Por Ror Bor” (required to be able to purchase road tax)
- Road tax
On top of the requirements above, “voluntary insurance” is highly recommended, especially for cars. This is because compulsory insurance covers only third-party liability in case of bodily injuries or death, but it does not cover damage to vehicles or property. The third party coverage limits are also very low. Think of this insurance as a formality to being road legal.
Voluntary insurance will cover third-party liability, injury, theft, fire, and damage to your own vehicle, among other things.
Within the voluntary insurance category, not all coverage is created equal. Aside from choosing the broker you want to purchase with (our recommendation is below), you need to decide two other things – the “class” or “type” of insurance, and where your car will be sent if it needs to be fixed – an official garage like Toyota, Izuzu, Ford, or a local garage.
Type 1 Car Insurance:
Coverage for the insured vehicle in the event of common road incidents, including accidents with or without a third party.
Third-party liability coverage for damages or injuries caused by the insured car when the driver is at fault.
Coverage for damages to the windscreen (repair or replacement).
Coverage for non-collision incidents such as theft, fire, flooding, bail bond, personal accident, and medical expenses resulting from a car accident.
Suitable for new cars not over 5 years old, new drivers with little experience, and cars used frequently.
Main Difference from Type 2+ Car Insurance: Type 1 offers comprehensive coverage for the insured vehicle in both collision and non-collision scenarios, making it suitable for new cars and inexperienced drivers.
Type 2+ Car Insurance:
Coverage for damage to the insured vehicle caused by road accidents involving a third party.
Liability coverage for damage and injuries to third parties caused by the insured car when the driver is at fault.
Coverage for non-collision events like fire, theft, flooding, bail bond, personal accidents, and medical expenses resulting from a road accident.
Suitable for cars used regularly, cars not over 7 years old, and cars parked in riskier areas.
Main Difference from Type 3+ Car Insurance: Type 2+ offers coverage for damage to the insured vehicle in accidents with third parties, making it more suitable for cars used regularly.
Type 2 Car Insurance:
Coverage for liability to third parties, including property damage and bodily injury, caused by the insured vehicle when the driver is at fault.
Coverage for non-collision events such as fire, theft, bail bond, personal accidents, and medical expenses resulting from a road accident.
Main Difference from Type 3 Car Insurance: Type 2 primarily focuses on providing liability coverage for third-party damage and injuries, with no coverage for damage to the insured vehicle itself.
Type 3+ Car Insurance:
Coverage for damage to the insured car, regardless of fault, when a third-party car is involved in the accident.
Third-party liability coverage for damage or injuries caused by the insured car when the driver is at fault.
Coverage for non-collision incidents like bail bond, personal accidents, and medical expenses resulting from a car accident.
Suitable for automobiles used frequently and cars that are over 7 years old.
Main Difference from Type 2 Car Insurance: Type 3+ provides coverage for damage to the insured car in accidents involving third-party vehicles, offering more extensive protection for older vehicles.
Type 3 Car Insurance:
Coverage for third-party liability, including damage or injuries caused by the insured vehicle when the driver is at fault.
Coverage for non-collision incidents like bail bond, personal accidents, and medical expenses resulting from a car accident.
Main Difference from Type 2 Car Insurance: Type 3 also provides liability coverage for third-party damage and injuries, similar to Type 2, but without the coverage for damage to the insured vehicle in accidents.
Our recommendation
Compulsory insurance: Either use the office or purchase at the same time as voluntary insurance – any provider will be fine.
Voluntary insurance: We use Roojai (not an affiliate) for both motorcycle and car insurance. They speak very good English, they have excellent reviews, the prices have always been competitive, the process can be handled through their mobile app (Google Play or Apple App Store) and website, and you can purchase compulsory insurance at the same time.
Road tax
Every year you’ll need to renew your car tax and either display it in the window of your car, or somewhere within view on your motorcycle.
Renewing your car tax can be a little frustrating, but it’s fairly straight forward if you have the documents ready. Renewing is supposed to be possible through an app, online and in person at your local Provincial Land Transport Office – however, at time of writing the website and app do not work due to the requirement of a Thai ID card number.
- Website: eservice.dlt.go.th
- App on Google Play or the App Store
- Provincial Land Transport Offices
Finding your local office is quite straight forward. There’s a tool on the official website, it’s not currently working in English but there’s a map to click on your location.
You can also search “Department of Land Transport”, “Provincial Land Transport” or “กรมการขนส่งทางบก” in Google Maps – one of those will get you there.
“Done for you” services
Tax renewals can be handled on your behalf, and there are usually ndividuals and companies offering this type of service in your local city. The service fee should be 300-500 THB. You can also ask a partner, a friend, a maid or your assistant to do it for you, just provide them with the correct paperwork:
Documents required
Vehicle registration book – This is a green book for motorcycles and a blue book for cars and trucks.
Proof of compulsory insurance – This can usually be purchased at an office at the main Provincial Land Transport Office – or online at the same time you purchase voluntary insurance.
Identification – ID card or passport of the owner.
Vehicle inspection certificate (if applicable) – For motorcycles older than 5 years, cars/trucks older than 7 years, or if you failed to renew your tax for more than 1 year.
Vehicle inspection
Cars/trucks older than 7 years, and motorcycles older than 5 years are required to be inspected prior to the purchase of road tax. If your tax has expired for more than 1 year, you will also need to have your vehicle inspected.
It’s a straightforward, affordable service. Usually there’s an inspection centre very close to the transport office, but you can search Google Maps for “ตรอ”. This logo will become familiar over time, they’re plastered on the outside of all inspection centres.
If there are any issues, you’ll need to have them fixed. It’s worth mentioning that these inspections don’t take long, and they’re not quite up to the Western standards of inspection. They will probably pull you up on modifications that are not road legal – so it would be easier to replace the modified parts with standard parts before the inspection.
What if you forget to renew your tax?
The best thing to do is set a reminder and don’t forget to renew your tax, but we’ve all done it. I previously forgot to renew my car tax for over an entire year, which is how I found out it’s better to not do that.
First, if you have an accident your insurance provider may not cover you – this seems to depend on whether or not you’re claiming from compulsory or voluntary insurance, and the specific terms of that provider. Either way, this isn’t worth the risk, just remember that it’s a possibility.
If you’re caught on the road without road tax – not a big deal, you’ll pay a fine from 200-500 THB and be on your way.
If you forget but renew within 1 year, just head to your local transport office and you’ll pay such a tiny fine (1% per month) it’s not worth worrying about, it’s very common so they’ll just fix it, give you another sticker, and you’ll be on your way.
The trouble begins if you forget for more than 1 year – now you’ll need to get your vehicle inspected at an inspection centre before you can renew – still, not a big deal, not expensive and it’ll only be an issue if you have modifications which are not road legal – it’s just a bit of hassle. This inspection has to be done every year if your car is over 7 years old or motorcycle is over 5 years old anyway.
If you forget for 3 years or more, or you are purchasing a vehicle without road tax for 3 years, you will run in to much bigger problems as it will expire your car registration. Applying for a new vehicle registration is beyond the scope of this post, but just be aware.