Covered or mentioned in this post:
Car registration renewal and comprehensive motor insurance.
Another short post purely of interest to those expats living in Thailand.
I bought my car 12 months ago through a dealer, who took care of the registration process via the Chiang Mai motor registry office or Department of Land Transport DLT to give it the full Thai title.
The registration renewal has just become due and I thought I would have to go through the same sort of inspection and paperwork process but not so. The whole thing can be done at any local motor shop. Some advertise the fact using this gold/yellow cog type sign while the one I used was my regular service guy and he had nothing outside to indicate the service was available.
This is the sign you are looking for.
Because my car is less than seven years old no inspection is required. All I had to do was leave the car’s Blue Book or Lem Tabian in Thai with them and pay the 2,400 THB or A$85.00 for tax plus compulsory insurance. I think this is around 1/10th of what I would be paying in Australia. The admin takes around five days, or it did in our case and we picked up the rego sticker the following Wednesday having lodged on the previous Thursday. Each place may be different.
The blue book which confirms my ownership of the vehicle.
My new registration window sticker – example. It isn’t actually sticky as the Aussie ones are but they do provide a separate peel-off clear backing to help you out.
The compulsory insurance paperwork included.
I suggest that you keep the Blue Book at home somewhere safe and only have a copy of the relevant pages in the car along with the insurance certificate and any private insurance papers you may have. I would also have a copies of your passport photo page, the relevant visa page and the latest 90 day renewal receipt in case you are asked for documentation by police at any stage. On longer trips take your passport with you as it may be required as I found out HERE.
If you are intending to take out comprehensive motor insurance I can recommend a broker called AA Insurance. Their details are as follows:
AA INSURANCE BROKERS CO., LTD
Tel: 038 415 795-6 Business Mobile : 081-782-2196, 086-332-2197
E-mail: kik@aainsure.net
Web: www.aainsure.net
I have used them the last couple of times and they give first rate service. Kik is the person to talk to. I checked around when renewing this time and their quote was within the range offered by others. I have a top quality AXA insurance package and its not cheap at around 16,000 THB but includes 10 million accident injury insurance as well as 24 hour road assist.
AXA comprehensive car insurance.
I am only passing on this information based on my experience – it’s not an advertisement and no commision is involved unfortunately. Proceed with caution as always on insurance matters.
Thanks for reading.
I forgot to say…my philosophy is to Practice Contentment & Contemplate Eternity….I don`t need any temples or churches.
Good to see positive comments from expats.however I`cannot get out of the place & back to Aus.soon enough…..corruption & lack of English is R.S.
In Taiwan signs are in Chinese AND English…..no attempt at that here.
I married a Chinese national in China & all schools & university`s teach English……it IS the international language….I`m 80yrs.come Sept.not senile & do have decent values & yes the Aus. Govt.is pitiful…..when I informed them I was married they(Human Services…what a misnomer !) immediately reduced my pension by $400 aud./mth.& then a further $40 Aud./mth as they say I was overpaid.
We are waiting on an Aus.Visa for my wife…all OK but Immig. WILL NOT tell you how your application is progressing…only that it HAS BEEN RECEIVED…& they charge you in excess of $7,000 Aud.just to apply…we`ve got your dough….NOW you`re just a mushroom !(kept in the dark).
I am sorry that your experience of Thailand hasn’t been a positive one.
With regard to corruption I have lived in Thailand for over five years and have NEVER been asked for or paid a bribe. I have done just about everything a farang can do with bureaucracy – visas, 90 day reporting, residency certificates, formal marriage, buying land twice, building a house, buying two cars, a drivers licence twice, and obtaining a yellow house book. I have driven over 120,000 km exploring the place and been stopped at police checkpoints many, many times. In all of this time I haven’t paid a bribe. I may just be lucky but it would indicate to me that that bribery isn’t a natural part of life here. Sure it happens but not as much as you may think from the forums.
I am surprised you have an issue with signage. As we English speakers only form about 5% of foreign nationals living in Thailand it is amazing that any signs are in English 🙂 I live in the northeast and the vast majority of road signage and tourist information is in dual languages. The proportion is probably higher in southern provinces with more farang.
Don’t get me started on the Australian government’s treatment of expats. We are citizens who have contributed for a lifetime. Where we decided to spend our retired years shouldn’t impact our reightful income. I don’t ask for special treatment, just the same treatment as any other citizen.
I hope your move back home is a smooth one once you get through Australian bureaucracy.
Cheers. Tony
Don`t get me started….I`m like you that way…but I also air praise as well as complaints.
You`ve been there…done that….do you still have to do 90 day reporting ?……My wife is Chinese & I had to pay 25,000 Thb.for her to stay in the country & looks like I`ll have to do it again in Oct….different perspectives…so different views.
In China I only had to advise change of address.
As bad as Aus.politics are….we`ve chosen to live there.
Had trouble trying to find a mechanic/ franchise to do inspection check.
Tried B Quik & couldn’t contact Cockpit.
Have 11 yo Honda Jazz, tried dealer but don’t do
Live in Onnut area any suggestions appreciated.
Hi Ray. You need to find any motor service place that has that gold wheel looking sign outside. I have a photo in this post but I will email a larger version.
It doesn’t have to be a big “franchise” type operation. Many little repair shops will do the inspection and arrange the paperwork for you.
Let me know how you go.
Cheers Tony
Hi Tony,
Thanks for info, yes found a couple of places via Google Maps, a Honda Dealer in Udon Suk has sign + another garage in Soi 62/1. so will give them a try.
Cheers,
Good news. I won’t send the photo then.
Good luck and thanks for getting back. Many people don’t bother.
Hi Tony,
Just to update you re: getting vehicle check for registration. Honda dealerships in Ekamai & Udon Suk on Sukhumvit Road, no longer do checks. Found workshop in Soi off Sukhumvit Rd (Symbol displayed on cnr) just before lights @ Soi 62(BangChak). Fee 200b. Also, another workshop in Sukhumvit Soi 69 between BTS Thong Lo & Ekamai.
Thank you for that update Ray. I am glad you got there in the end. If at first you don’t succeed then…………..
Hopefully others will benefit from your experience.
Tony
Tony
just a quick hello, my name is Jeff , I am the registered nurse from Brisbane who emailed you about retiring to Chiang Mai, last yr . Well i have been in CM now for about 3 months, i have accessed your site / knowledge base numerous times / has made my transition to my new life much easier. I ran into a friend of yours , Neil a J.P who completed some paperwork for me as well. Anyway thanks for your web site, as i said it has really helped me
all the best
jeff ( too old for Facebook )living the dream
Hi Jeff. Great to hear back from you and welcome to Thailand and Chiang Mai. Most people never get back once they have got what they want from the blog so it is always a pleasure to have someone follow through.
I am pleased you have got some ongoing benefit from the articles. Some of them relating to our time in Chiang Mai/Rai are getting a bit dated.
Neil is a great bloke and has been so helpful for many Australians over here. The Australian government should be paying him as he is filling in for the woeful service they offer citizens here outside of Bangkok. I am not sure what the Australian consulate does in Chiang Mai other than cocktails. Why not offer a document witness service even if they charged for it.
I do hope you continue to live the dream and get the most from this wonderful country and especially its people. If you are ever our way and want to see more of the genuine side of Thailand let me know.
Very best regards.
Tony