Title 1: Registration of Motor Vehicles

This Article is part of the Motor Vehicle Act

No one is allowed to use a motor vehicle on public roads unless such a vehicle is registered under this act. No one is allowed to use a motor vehicle on public roads which is registered but whose owner hasn't paid the annual vehicle tax.

A motor vehicle to be registered under this Act must meet standards set by ministerial regulations.

Motor vehicles listed below are exempt from registration.

1. those for the service of King
2. those for the use by the police, registered by the police, and with a designated sign
3. those for the service of Royal family, Royal relatives and their servants, and with a designated sign
4. those whose owners have reported discontinuation of use
5. those prior to sale

Motor vehicles listed below are exempt from registration fee and vehicle tax. But they still must pay for license plates.

1. Fire engine
2. Ambulance
3. Those belonging to the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications
4. Government roller car
5. Government tractor
6. Those belonging to the Red Cross
7. Those belonging to foreign embassies or the United Nations
8. Those used for agriculture under ministerial regulation.

A motor vehicle shall be registered at a Land Traffic Office with a jurisdiction over the owner's registered address. If the owner mostly wants to use the vehicle at some other area, he may have it registered at a Land Traffic Office with such a jurisdiction.

If the owner is a foreigner who has no registered address, he shall register the vehicle at a Land Traffic Office with a jurisdiction over his current address.

Registered motor vehicles must carry and show their license plates when in use on public roads.

In case it becomes apparent that a registered motor vehicle fails to meet registration requirements, the owner must not put the vehicle in use until it is properly serviced to meet the requirements.

When changing the color of a motor vehicle, the owner must report it within seven days.

The owner must not modify the registered motor vehicle in such a way that it doesn't meet registration requirements.

If, apparently, a registered motor vehicle doesn't meet registration requirements, the owner of the vehicle may receive an order to have it inspected.

In case the owner of a motor vehicle changes his address, he must report it.

In case of transfer of ownership, it shall be reported.

When taking a registered motor vehicle out of Thailand, the owner must ask for a permission, except some cases prescribed by a ministerial regulation.

The Minister of Transport and Communications shall issue regulations regarding Section 17 and Section 18.