Owning a motorbike or car: the yearly tax and insurance
The tax sticker, compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor), inspections, and what happens if you're late.
CHECKED 16 OCT 20261 min read3 sources
Every year, before the sticker date
- Renew the compulsory insurance, Por Ror Bor (พ.ร.บ.). Around 430 THB a year for a motorbike, 650 THB for a car. You can't pay the tax without it.
- If your motorbike is over 5 years old or your car is over 7, get the quick inspection (Tor Ror Or) at a private inspection station. It takes about 10 minutes and costs 200–300 THB.
- Pay the annual tax (100 THB for a typical motorbike) and get your new sticker. You can renew up to 90 days early.
Where to pay
- Private inspection stations with the Tor Ror Or sign are often the quickest. They can do the insurance, inspection and tax in one stop.
- Department of Land Transport (DLT) offices give you the sticker the same day, but the queues are longer. Some have drive-through counters.
- The DLT app or website, if you have a Thai ID number; the sticker comes by post in 5–10 working days.
If you're late
- A surcharge is added for every month unpaid, and police can fine you up to 2,000 THB for an expired sticker.
- Over 1 year late: the vehicle needs an inspection whatever its age.
- Over 3 years unpaid: the registration is cancelled and you have to hand back the plates and re-register.
Never miss your own deadlines
Answer five quick questions and we'll list every date that applies to you: 90-day reports, extensions, re-entry permits and tax. Free to start.
Sources we checked
- 1.Thailand Starter Kit: renewing vehicle tax
- 2.Roojai: compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor)
- 3.Department of Land Transport
General information, not legal or tax advice. Immigration offices don't all apply the rules the same way, so check anything important with your local office. Spotted something out of date? Email Joshua.