Car Ownership Transfer Fees in Thailand and How to Budget Before Visiting the Transport Office
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Car ownership transfer fees at the transport office consist of two parts: standard fees of 155 baht and stamp duty of 1 baht for every 200 baht of the car’s assessed value. For a car assessed at 300,000 baht, the estimated total is 1,655 baht. Buyers and sellers using Talata, a platform for used car listings, can use the breakdown below to estimate what to prepare before their transfer appointment.
The figures in this article refer to Department of Land Transport and Revenue Department rates as of September 2026 (B.E. 2569). Check with the transport office handling your transfer before your visit.
What Is Included in Car Ownership Transfer Fees in 2026?
Car ownership transfer fees are the charges paid to the transport office when changing a vehicle’s registered owner. They include Department of Land Transport fees and stamp duty under the Revenue Code.
The total consists of several separate charges. Some apply to a standard transfer, while others arise only in particular circumstances. The table below shows the amounts and when each charge applies.
| Item | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 5 baht | Every vehicle |
| Vehicle registration transfer fee | 100 baht | Every vehicle |
| Inspection fee at the transport office | 50 baht | Every vehicle, except a transfer from a finance company to the hire-purchase customer after the account is settled |
| Stamp duty | 1 baht for every 200 baht, or fraction thereof, of the car’s assessed value | Every vehicle sold |
| Licence plates | 100 baht per plate (2 plates for a car, totalling 200 baht) | Only when replacing plates or transferring registration |
| Replacement vehicle registration book | 50 baht | Only when the book is damaged or lost |
Transport Office Fees Charged for Every Vehicle
The first three fees in the table total 155 baht for a standard car transfer. The amount does not depend on the vehicle’s make, model or price. Sedans, pickups and SUVs pay the same amount because the Department of Land Transport rates distinguish motorcycles from other vehicles. Transfers following settlement of a finance account have an inspection exemption, as noted in the table.
The 50-baht inspection fee covers an inspection at the transport office’s own inspection building. Officials check that the chassis and engine numbers match the registration book. This is separate from the inspection charge at a private vehicle inspection centre, known in Thai as Tor Ror Or (ตรอ.).
Stamp Duty Is What Makes the Total Vary Between Cars
Stamp duty follows instrument category 28(c) in the Revenue Department’s stamp duty schedule. This covers receipts for the sale, hire-purchase or transfer of ownership of registered vehicles. The rate is 1 baht for every 200 baht. Any remaining fraction of 200 baht is rounded up to another 1 baht, making the rate approximately 0.5% of the value.
The value used to calculate stamp duty can make transfer costs differ by thousands of baht. The Department of Land Transport uses its vehicle valuation schedule as a basis for assessing stamp duty on car ownership transfers involving a sale. The schedule is issued annually, and assessing officials may also consider the vehicle’s condition or market price. The actual duty may therefore differ from 0.5% of the agreed sale price.
Charges That Apply Only in Certain Cases
Licence plate charges and replacement registration book fees apply only in certain cases. Licence plates cost 100 baht each. A car uses two plates, bringing the total to 200 baht. This charge arises when new plates are required, such as when moving the registration to another province or requesting a different registration number.
A replacement registration book fee applies when the original is lost or too damaged to use. If the book is intact and the registration is not moving to another province, these two charges do not need to be included in the budget.
How Much Does a Car Transfer Cost? Examples by Assessed Value
To estimate the cost, divide the car’s assessed value by 200, round the result up to the next whole number, and add the standard fees of 155 baht. The table below gives five examples for a standard transfer without new plates or a change of registration province.
| Car’s assessed value | Stamp duty | Standard fees | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100,000 baht | 500 baht | 155 baht | 655 baht |
| 300,000 baht | 1,500 baht | 155 baht | 1,655 baht |
| 500,000 baht | 2,500 baht | 155 baht | 2,655 baht |
| 800,000 baht | 4,000 baht | 155 baht | 4,155 baht |
| 1,000,000 baht | 5,000 baht | 155 baht | 5,155 baht |
For an example involving a remainder, a car assessed at 255,100 baht gives a result of 1,275.5 when divided by 200. Round this up to 1,276 baht in stamp duty. Adding the 155-baht standard fees gives a transfer cost of 1,431 baht.
If new plates or a registration move are required, add the plate charges and registration relocation costs. These are discussed below. The table also excludes service fees charged by an agent or private inspection centre handling the transfer on your behalf.
The assessed value does not necessarily match the agreed sale price. To check the assessed value of a car you plan to buy, consult the Department of Land Transport’s vehicle valuation schedule or contact the transport office before the transfer date.
How Do Transfer Costs Differ Between Cases?
The main fees are similar in several cases. The total varies depending on whether an inspection is required, whether stamp duty applies, and whether the vehicle’s registration is moving to another province.
A Used Car Sale Between Individuals
A used car sale between individuals is the case most closely reflected by the calculation table above. The buyer and seller take the car to the transport office, have it inspected, and then submit the transfer application and pay the fees and stamp duty during the same visit.
A Car with a Recently Settled Finance Account
Under the Department of Land Transport procedure, an inspection is not required when ownership transfers from the finance company to the hire-purchase customer who is already recorded as the vehicle’s possessor. The 50-baht inspection fee therefore does not form part of the transfer costs in this case.
While the car is being paid off, the finance company is the legal owner and the customer is the registered possessor. Once the payments are complete, ownership transfers from the finance company to the hire-purchase customer.
Stamp duty and any additional processing charges imposed by the finance company depend on the applicable conditions. Ask the finance company about these when requesting the transfer documents.
A Transfer to a Relative or Through Inheritance
Transfers to a relative or through inheritance still involve the same application, transfer and inspection fees. A gift or inheritance does not involve a sale, so the stamp duty rules differ from a standard sale. Ask the transport office whether stamp duty applies to your particular case.
The documents required for an inheritance transfer are covered in our vehicle transfer documents guide.
A Buyer in Another Province Who Wants to Move the Registration
A buyer who wants to move the registration to their own province will face additional costs. These include 200 baht for a new set of licence plates and the applicable Department of Land Transport registration relocation fees.
The ownership transfer is handled at the transport office where the vehicle is registered. Read our guide to transferring a car across provinces for the procedures for moving the registration out of one province and into another.
Using a Private Inspection Centre or Transfer Agent
Using a private inspection centre or transfer agent adds a service charge to the government fees. Some private vehicle inspection centres, known in Thai as Tor Ror Or (ตรอ.), and vehicle transfer agents can handle the paperwork if you cannot visit the transport office yourself.
Each provider sets its own service charge. Before agreeing, ask whether the quoted total includes transport office fees and stamp duty. Prepare the powers of attorney and copies of both parties’ identification documents.
Who Pays Car Ownership Transfer Fees, the Buyer or the Seller?
The law does not specify which party must pay the transport office fees. In practice, the buyer often pays because the registration book will be changed to their name. The parties can agree on another arrangement, such as splitting the cost equally.
Stamp duty is treated separately. The Revenue Department’s stamp duty schedule identifies the receipt issuer as the person liable for the duty. In a sale, this is the party receiving payment. In practice, duty is paid together with the fees at the transport office counter, and the buyer and seller can agree on who will cover that expense.
A listing stating “price includes transfer” means the seller has included the transfer costs in the price, leaving the buyer to pay the stated car price. If the listing does not specify this, ask before paying a deposit and record the arrangement clearly in the car sale agreement to reduce disputes on the transfer date.
Where Do You Pay, and How Soon Must the Transfer Be Completed?
Transfer costs are paid at the transport office’s registration section after the vehicle inspection. The application is filed at the Bangkok transport office, a Bangkok area transport office, or the provincial transport office corresponding to the transferor’s address in the registration book.
Section 17 of the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979) requires both the transferor and transferee to notify the registrar within 15 days of the transfer. Missing the deadline carries a fine of up to 2,000 baht under Section 60. That maximum is higher than the estimated transfer cost for a car assessed at 300,000 baht in the table above.
See our guide to vehicle transfer documents for the required paperwork and application procedure. Before setting the transfer date, check the estimated total, make sure the seller’s name in the registration book matches their identification, and agree on who will pay the transfer costs.
Why Buy or Sell a Used Car with Talata?
Talata brings used car listings together so buyers can compare vehicles using the details in each listing. This includes checking whether the listed price includes transfer costs. Buyers can then contact the vehicle owner directly without an intermediary.
Sellers should clearly state whether the price includes transfer costs to reduce further negotiation when viewing the car. Before agreeing to a sale, check the registration book and vehicle details, and compare several options. When you find a car or buyer whose terms suit you, you can contact them through Talata.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Transfer a Car Priced at 100,000 Baht?
If the car’s assessed value is 100,000 baht, the estimated transfer cost is 655 baht. This consists of 500 baht in stamp duty and 155 baht in standard fees. The amount excludes licence plate charges and registration relocation fees. If neither is required, there is no need to budget for those two items.
Do You Need to Take the Car to the Transport Office for a Transfer?
The car must be taken to the transport office for inspection. The exception is a transfer from a finance company to the hire-purchase customer after the finance account is settled.
Are Transfer Fees Different for Pickups and Sedans?
The standard fees are the same at 155 baht because the Department of Land Transport rates distinguish motorcycles from other vehicles. Stamp duty varies according to the assessed value of each vehicle.
If a Listing Says “Price Includes Transfer,” What Must the Seller Pay?
The seller covers the transfer charges at the transport office, including the application fee, transfer fee, inspection fee and stamp duty. If the buyer requests a registration move or new plates, those additional costs should be agreed separately and recorded clearly in the contract.
If the Car Has Been Sold but the Buyer Has Not Transferred It, Who Is Responsible?
The seller still faces a risk because Section 17 requires both the transferor and transferee to report the transfer within 15 days. Until the transfer is completed, the registration book remains in the seller’s name. Traffic notices or other matters involving the vehicle may therefore reach the seller first.
To reduce this risk, complete the transfer together on the handover date or specify the transfer date in the car sale agreement.
Are Car Ownership Transfer Fees and Registration Book Transfer Fees the Same Thing?
Yes. Both terms refer to the money paid when changing the legal owner’s name in the vehicle registration book. The total consists of transport office fees and stamp duty, as shown in the tables in this article.
Have Car Transfer Fees Changed in 2026?
As of September 2026 (B.E. 2569), the fee rates published by the Department of Land Transport remain those used in this article. The vehicle valuation schedule is issued annually, so stamp duty for the same model may differ from the previous year.
How Do Car Transfer Fees Differ from Motorcycle Transfer Fees?
The cost categories are the same: application, transfer, inspection and stamp duty. The inspection charge differs, at 50 baht for a car and 10 baht for a motorcycle. Motorcycle stamp duty is often lower because the assessed value is lower. Read our guide to motorcycle transfer fees for the details.
