Motorcycle Compulsory Insurance in Thailand (Por Ror Bor): Coverage, Cost, and How to Renew
ทีม TalataVehicles
Every registered motorcycle in Thailand must carry compulsory insurance known as Por Ror Bor (พ.ร.บ.) under the Motor Victims Protection Act B.E. 2535 (1992). It covers medical costs for people injured in an accident — rider, passenger, and third parties — never damage to the bike itself. It renews yearly, costs 161–646 baht depending on engine size, and you can't pay your road tax without it. Here's how the whole system works, including what to check before buying a used bike.
What Por Ror Bor is, and why your bike can't skip it
Por Ror Bor is the Thai abbreviation for the Motor Victims Protection Act. The law requires it for every vehicle registered with the Department of Land Transport (DLT), from big bikes down to a family scooter.
Its logic differs from ordinary insurance. It doesn't care what happened to the vehicles — only whether people got hurt. Anyone injured by the insured bike, whether they were riding it, sitting behind, or walking across the road, can claim medical costs within the limits the law sets. Think of it as a people-only safety net rather than motor insurance in the usual sense.
Riding without it carries a fine of up to 10,000 baht. The bigger practical problem: no Por Ror Bor means no annual road tax, and an uninsured accident leaves every hospital bill on you.
What it covers and how much you can claim
Coverage comes in two tiers with clearly different conditions. The first pays out immediately, no fault assessment needed. The second adds more once you're confirmed as the no-fault party.
Initial compensation — paid without proving fault
| Case | Limit |
|---|---|
| Injury (actual medical costs) | up to 30,000 baht/person |
| Death, loss of organ, or permanent disability | 35,000 baht/person |
| Injury followed by death or organ loss | combined cap 65,000 baht/person |
This tier covers rider and passenger alike, and the insurer must pay within 7 days of receiving complete documents.
Full compensation — when you're the no-fault party
| Case | Limit |
|---|---|
| Medical costs (actual) | up to 80,000 baht/person |
| Loss of organs | 200,000–500,000 baht by case |
| Permanent disability | 300,000 baht/person |
| Death or total permanent disability | 500,000 baht/person |
| Hospitalization as in-patient | 200 baht/day, up to 20 days |
These per-person rates have applied since April 2020, and from 1 January 2026 the OIC also raised the total payout ceiling per accident to at least 20 million baht to handle mass-casualty crashes. The at-fault rider gets the initial compensation tier only — nothing from this table.
Solo crash, borrowed bike, or no license — can you still claim?
Yes on all three. Dropped the bike with no other party involved? Initial compensation pays out for rider and passenger, since that tier never required a fault ruling. Riding a friend's motorbike? Coverage attaches to the bike, not the owner's name, as long as its policy hasn't expired. Even an expired or missing license doesn't void the claim — you may face a separate traffic charge, but the medical coverage stands.
What Por Ror Bor costs, by engine size
Rates for private motorcycles are fixed by law, so the price is identical everywhere you buy — channels differ only in convenience.
| Engine size | Price per year (incl. tax and duty) |
|---|---|
| up to 75cc | 161.57 baht |
| 76–125cc | 323.14 baht |
| 126–150cc | 430.14 baht |
| over 150cc | 645.21 baht |
| electric motorcycle | 323.14 baht |
Most everyday scooters in Thailand sit in the 110–125cc band: 323.14 baht a year, under 30 baht a month, for coverage that reaches half a million baht. Few insurance products anywhere price protection that cheaply.
Where to renew and what documents you need
Renewal channels have multiplied to the point where there's no excuse left. Pick whichever fits your routine.
Online through the DLT e-Service
Register on the Department of Land Transport's e-Service site and you can buy Por Ror Bor and pay road tax in one session of about 15 minutes. The tax sticker arrives by post. Handy when both renewals fall due together, which they usually do.
Through insurers, 7-Eleven counters, or local agents
Insurance company websites and LINE accounts sell policies around the clock and email the certificate instantly. Prefer a counter? Counter Service at 7-Eleven, Thailand Post branches, and neighborhood insurance agents all handle it on the spot. Conditions vary slightly by channel — some only accept bikes registered to individuals — so check before queuing.
Documents
Two items: your ID (Thai ID card, or passport for foreigners) and a copy of the bike's green registration book page showing the vehicle details. Renewing online, you just key in the plate number and your ID or passport number — no physical book needed.
What happens when it lapses
Por Ror Bor itself carries no late penalty — you can renew any time. The cost of lapsing comes through road tax, which you can't renew without it. The timeline works like this:
| Lapsed for | Consequence |
|---|---|
| days to under 1 year | renew immediately; back tax accrues a 1% surcharge per month |
| 1–3 years | still renewable, but surcharges stack and the bike needs an inspection first |
| over 3 years | registration is revoked — return the plate and book, re-register from scratch, pay back taxes |
The most expensive risk during a lapse isn't the surcharge. It's crashing in that window and claiming nothing, with every hospital bill landing on you or your family.
How to claim after an accident
The real process is shorter than most people fear.
- Get the injured person to a hospital and tell staff you're using Por Ror Bor rights. Most hospitals handle the insurer paperwork directly.
- File a police report at the local station and keep a copy — it's part of the claim file.
- Submit documents at any branch of the Road Accident Victims Protection Company (RVP) nationwide, within 180 days of the accident.
Core documents: the injured person's ID or passport, medical bills or invoices, and the police report copy. Death claims add the death certificate and heir documents; disability claims add a doctor's certification. Initial compensation must by law be paid within 7 days of a complete filing.
Buying or selling a used motorbike? Check the Por Ror Bor first
Here's what most used-bike buyers don't know: the policy follows the bike, not the owner. After transfer, the existing coverage runs until its expiry date. Before agreeing to buy, ask to see the policy certificate and tax sticker dates. If the seller can't find the paperwork, call the OIC hotline 1186 with the plate number and they can tell you which insurer covers the bike and until when.
Watch out for bikes that have sat unused for years with lapsed insurance and tax. The asking price may look cheap until you add back taxes, an inspection, and the hassle of re-registration if the plate has already been revoked. Sellers can flip this into an advantage: a bike with months of valid Por Ror Bor and tax left always sells faster. State both expiry dates clearly in your listing — buyers move quicker when they know the bike is ready to ride.
Why buy or sell your motorbike on Talata
For buyers, Talata gathers used-motorbike listings from owners across Thailand in one place. Filter by model, price, and area, compare several bikes before deciding, and deal with the owner directly — no middleman. Ask about Por Ror Bor and tax expiry dates or arrange a viewing straight in the chat.
For sellers, listing on Talata is free and takes minutes. Fill in the details that matter — model, year, mileage, condition, and both insurance and tax expiry dates. Complete listings get contacted faster. Got a bike sitting unused? Start on Talata today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I claim Por Ror Bor compensation?
Two routes: through the treating hospital (tell staff you're using Por Ror Bor rights and they coordinate with the insurer), or in person at any Road Accident Victims Protection Company (RVP) branch nationwide, within 180 days of the accident.
My insurance lapsed a year ago — what's the fine?
There's no fine on Por Ror Bor itself; renew any time. What you pay is the road-tax surcharge of 1% per lapsed month — typically tens of baht for a motorbike. Renew before the lapse approaches 3 years, when registration revocation kicks in.
I'm buying a used motorbike. Is the previous owner's policy still valid?
Yes. Coverage attaches to the bike, not the owner, so the existing policy protects you until its expiry date. Renew it under your own name after that.
How do I check whether a bike has valid insurance?
Ask the seller for the policy certificate or tax sticker. No paperwork? Call the OIC hotline 1186 with the plate number and they'll confirm the insurer and expiry date.
Can foreigners buy Por Ror Bor?
Yes. A passport replaces the Thai ID card, and the bike's registration book covers the rest. Online channels accept passport numbers, and counters at 7-Eleven or insurance agents handle foreign buyers routinely.
How is Por Ror Bor different from voluntary motorbike insurance?
Por Ror Bor is mandatory and covers injured people only, within legal limits — never the bike or property. Voluntary insurance is the optional layer on top that covers your bike, third-party property, and collision scenarios depending on the class you choose. You must have Por Ror Bor; the rest is up to you.
