Lost Your Vehicle Registration Book? Where to Get a Replacement, What Documents You Need and How Much It Costs

If your vehicle registration book is lost, request a replacement from the transport office responsible for the vehicle. The listed fee is 55 baht. A police report is not always required because the applicant can give an account of the loss to transport officials. This article covers the steps, documents and points to check when buying or selling a used vehicle. Talata brings used vehicle listings together so buyers and sellers can find each other.

What should you do if your vehicle registration book is lost?

A lost registration book means the original vehicle registration document is missing. The owner must apply for a replacement book at the transport office responsible for the vehicle.

There are 3 broad steps: prepare an account of the loss, either through a police report or by giving the facts to transport officials; gather your identification and any documents required for the person submitting the application; then file the request, pay the fee and collect the replacement.

In Thai, samut thabian rot, lem rot and khu mue rot are common names for the vehicle registration book. To see what each field in the book means, read what a vehicle registration book is.

What does a lost registration book mean, and how is it different from a damaged book or a lost licence plate?

A lost book is no longer in your possession. A damaged book is still available but may be torn or illegible. Replacing a lost licence plate or a lost vehicle tax sticker involves a separate request. If several items are missing, tell the official when you submit your application.

Is the process the same if a motorcycle’s green registration book is lost?

The application process is the same. A motorcycle’s green book is a vehicle registration book under the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979), as is a car’s registration book, so the same 55 baht fee applies.

Do you need to file a police report when your vehicle registration book is lost?

A police report is not always required. The Department of Land Transport’s public service guide says that the applicant or authorised representative must give officials the facts about the loss; it does not list a police report among the required documents. A statement by the department’s spokesperson on 12 March 2024, reported by MGR Online, said applicants could provide a police report or have their statement recorded at the transport office.

Practices may vary between offices. Some may ask for a police report, so call the office you plan to visit before travelling.

What is the difference between filing a police report and giving a statement at the transport office?

Filing a police report gives you a document recording the incident. It may be useful if you suspect the book was stolen or could be misused. Giving the facts to transport officials can be done when you submit the replacement request, without first visiting a police station. This may suit a straightforward loss with no suspicious circumstances.

If you file a police report, keep it for your application.

Can you report the loss online?

No official confirmation has been found that the Department of Land Transport accepts an online police report for a lost registration book. If you want a police report, you can visit a police station, or ask the transport office about giving your account directly to its officials.

Documents needed to replace a vehicle registration book

The documents depend on who submits the application. The table below follows the Department of Land Transport’s public service guide for replacing a vehicle registration book (in Thai). Signed certification is required for document copies.

The owner applies in person

Bring your original national ID card and vehicle details, such as the registration number and province of registration. If you have a copy of the old book, bring it to help officials find the vehicle record.

Someone else applies under a power of attorney

A representative can apply with a power of attorney signed by the owner. It should specify that the authority covers the replacement registration book request and be accompanied by copies of both parties’ ID cards. The representative must give officials the facts about the loss, so the owner should explain what happened beforehand. Ask the transport office about stamp duty on the power of attorney.

A company or legal entity owns the vehicle

A company owned vehicle requires the entity documents shown in the table above. Offices may apply different rules on how recently the registration certificate must have been issued, so prepare a recent copy.

A vehicle under hire purchase or finance

For a vehicle still being paid off, the finance company may be listed as the owner and may hold the book. Before visiting the transport office, ask the finance company who has the book and who may request a replacement.

Steps to request a replacement at the transport office

Before applying, check that the vehicle has no outstanding annual tax and that its registration transactions are not blocked. These are conditions in the public service guide. Then follow these steps:

1. Decide whether to file a police report first or give the facts about the loss to transport officials when applying.
2. Prepare your ID card and the documents for your applicant category in the table above.
3. Visit the transport office responsible for the vehicle and ask to replace its registration book.
4. Complete the application and give officials the facts about the loss.
5. Wait for the documents to be checked, then pay the fee at the counter. The guide says payment must be completed by 3:30 p.m.
6. Collect the replacement book and check the name, registration number, chassis number and engine number before leaving the counter.

Where can you apply, and can you apply in a different province?

The public service guide lists Bangkok transport offices Areas 1–5 and provincial transport offices as service points, while its eligibility rules say the request must be filed with the office responsible for the vehicle. If you are in another province, you may authorise someone to visit the responsible office or ask a nearby office whether it can accept your application.

Can you request a replacement registration book online?

For now, a replacement book must be requested in person at a transport office; the DLT has not published an online procedure for it. Be wary of websites that claim you can replace the book online and ask for your ID number.

Replacement fees and processing time

The listed fee totals 55 baht: 5 baht for the application and 50 baht for the replacement registration book. If the annual tax sticker is also missing and you request a replacement at the same time, the guide lists another 20 baht per copy. Filing a police report normally has no fee apart from travel costs.

The public service guide gives a processing time of 1 hour after officials have received and checked a complete set of documents. Queue time is excluded. Some websites give an estimate of 3 to 7 business days, which differs from the guide. Allow time for the queue and pay the fee before the listed 3:30 p.m. deadline.

While waiting for the new book, can you renew tax, make an insurance claim or drive?

Tax renewal, insurance claims and documents shown during a vehicle check have different requirements. Check the rule that applies to the action you need to take.

Can you renew vehicle tax while the book is missing?

If the vehicle meets the conditions for online tax payment, try renewing through the DLT system first. The DLT conditions for online tax payment cover vehicle type, age, inspection and registration status, and do not mention needing the original book. If you must renew at a counter, ask the office whether it accepts a copy of the book or your replacement application receipt.

If an accident happens after the book is lost, does insurance still cover it?

Coverage depends on the terms of your policy. The insurer may also request vehicle documents for a claim. If an accident happens while you are waiting for a replacement, contact your insurer and ask which documents it will accept in place of the book.

Is it illegal to drive without the registration book?

The question of carrying the original book is different from having no evidence of the vehicle’s registration. The Department of Land Transport advises owners to keep a copy of the registration book to show officials in place of the original, and says that failing to present the document when an official asks may lead to a legal offence. While waiting for the replacement, keep any copy of the book and your application receipt or police report.

A lost registration book when buying or selling a used vehicle

The registration book is needed for ownership transfer. Buyers and sellers should therefore deal with a missing book before the transfer date.

Buyer: The seller says the book is lost. What should you do before the transfer?

Wait until the seller has the original replacement book before paying the full price or taking the vehicle. Meanwhile, ask for evidence that the application is under way, such as an application receipt or a record made at the transport office. Once the replacement is available, compare the registered owner’s name, chassis number and engine number with the vehicle. If the seller is not the person named in the book, also check the power of attorney.

The full list of transfer documents is in the article on vehicle transfer documents, while the process for transferring a vehicle across provinces is covered in the article on interprovincial transfers.

Seller: Should you replace the book before selling, and what should you tell buyers?

If the book is lost before you post a listing, obtaining the replacement first lets buyers see that the transfer document is ready. If the request is still in progress, describe the book’s status accurately in the listing, for example, “Registration book lost; replacement application in progress.”

Can a vehicle with a replacement book be sold or financed?

A vehicle with an issued replacement book can be sold and transferred. Financing depends on each company’s policy, and some may request additional evidence about the replacement. Ask the company you intend to use before deciding.

Why buy or sell a used vehicle on Talata?

Talata brings used vehicle listings together so buyers can browse and compare options and contact advertisers directly about the registration book and other documents. Sellers can describe the vehicle and state the documents’ status in their listings.

Both parties should check the book and other relevant documents themselves before a transaction. Talata does not inspect or certify them. When you are ready to browse or post a listing, visit Talata’s vehicles category.

Frequently asked questions

Can you replace a lost vehicle registration book without filing a police report?

Yes. The public service guide requires the applicant to give officials the facts about the loss. A DLT spokesperson’s statement on 12 March 2024 said applicants could use a police report or have their statement recorded at the transport office. Call the office you plan to visit to check whether it asks for anything else.

How much does a replacement vehicle registration book cost?

The listed total is 55 baht: a 5 baht application fee and a 50 baht replacement book fee. Replacing an annual tax sticker as well costs another 20 baht per copy.

How long does it take to replace a lost registration book?

The public service guide lists 1 hour after officials have checked a complete application, excluding queue time. Allow time to travel and wait, and pay the fee by 3:30 p.m.

Can you apply in another province or have someone apply for you?

A representative can apply with a power of attorney and supporting documents. For an application in another province, the guide says to file with the transport office responsible for the vehicle. Call the office you plan to visit to check your options.

Can a copy be used instead when the book is lost?

A copy can help officials locate the vehicle record, and the DLT advises keeping one to show officials in place of the original. It is not the original replacement book needed for an ownership transfer, so obtain the replacement before selling or transferring the vehicle.

Can you renew vehicle tax if the registration book is lost?

If the vehicle qualifies for online tax payment, try renewing online first; the DLT conditions do not mention needing the original book. At a counter, ask whether a copy of the book or your application receipt is accepted.

Is the process the same if a motorcycle’s green book is lost?

Yes. Apply for a replacement at the transport office, bring your ID card and give officials the facts about the loss. The fee is the same 55 baht as for a car.

Can you buy a used vehicle if the seller says the book is lost?

Yes, but wait for the seller to obtain the original replacement book before paying the full price or taking the vehicle. You can ask to see an application receipt while the request is in progress.