How a number plate is transferred to your car
A number becomes yours only when the papers are complete and the change is made at a Department of Land Transport (DLT) office. This guide explains how it works for each plate type.
In short:
- A graphic auction plate is a right to the number. It is transferred on paper and can go on any car registered in its province.
- A classic white plate is tied to a car. It is moved by swapping numbers between two cars at the DLT.
- A classic white plate that was just issued or just swapped cannot be moved to another person's car for one year.
- When you buy from us, we prepare the papers and do the transfer with you.
Graphic auction plates
The right to an auction number belongs to the auction winner, or to the person they transferred it to. To give the number to a buyer, the holder signs a letter that transfers the right. The buyer then registers the number to their own car at the DLT.
Sometimes a seller has taken the auction number off their old car and kept it at the DLT. The old car gets a new normal number, and the seller keeps the plates and the papers. In Thailand this is called a reserved set. A plate sold as a reserved set is not on any car, so it can go straight onto yours.
Classic white plates and the one-year rule
A classic white plate cannot be held without a car. To move it, the DLT swaps the numbers of two cars: the seller's car gets your old number and your car gets the plate you bought.
There is a DLT rule for classic white plates: after a number is issued to a car or swapped onto it, it cannot be swapped to another person's car for one full year. The rule stops people from collecting free numbers to resell. You can check the date of the last swap in the car's blue registration book.
- Two cars with the same owner: the numbers can be swapped at any time. The one-year rule does not apply.
- Graphic auction plates: the one-year rule never applies.
- Selling the whole car with its plate: the car can be transferred to the new owner right away.
When you buy a classic white plate from us, we check this before we start. Classic white plates take about one month or more, and they must be paid in full before the swap.
Documents you usually need
For a car that is already registered
- The original blue registration book of the car that gets the number
- A consent letter from the finance company, if you are still paying for the car
- Your ID: for foreigners, your passport with a current visa and proof of your address in Thailand (see the foreigner guide)
- A power of attorney, if someone else goes to the DLT for you
- The car must have no unpaid road tax and must not be under a legal hold. The car is also inspected at the DLT office.
For a brand-new car
If you buy a graphic auction plate for a new car with red plates, tell your dealer before the car is registered that you will use an auction number. The papers for the number must be in the same name as the person who registers the car.
For a company car
You usually also need the company registration certificate, a power of attorney signed by an authorised director, and copies of the director's ID. Each DLT office may ask for slightly different papers, so message us first and we will tell you what to prepare.
What to check before you pay for any plate
- Ask to see full photos of the papers for the number. Check the letters, the number and the province one by one.
- Check that the seller's name matches the name on the papers. If not, you need to see every transfer letter from the named holder to the seller.
- If the plate is still on a car, check the car's registration book, road tax and finance status.
- Agree clearly who files the transfer at the DLT, and how you get your money back if the transfer cannot be done.
- Keep all payment slips and chat messages until the transfer is finished.
Plates that are decorated or covered with stickers to look like an auction plate are illegal. A real plate is issued by the DLT.
How it works when you buy from us
- Message us on WhatsApp or LINE with the plate you want. We confirm it is available and tell you which papers to prepare.
- Pay a deposit by bank transfer to a Thai bank account. The plate is held for you.
- We meet you at the Chatuchak DLT office to hand over the plate and do the transfer, or we deliver to your home in Bangkok.
If we cannot complete the transfer, you get a full refund or you can choose another plate.
More guides
Not sure which papers you need?
Tell us the plate you like and whether your car is new or already registered. We will tell you what to prepare.