Crackdown on Red Number Plates

In Thailand, when you first buy a new car your number plate will be red instead of the usual white. The red number plate should only be used when the sales person is delivering your car to you and you should be given the white number plate within a week. There are times when your vehicle has been registered and all taxes have been paid but your white number plate has yet to be attached. It could be because of delays in document processing from your financing company or other reasons. To avoid being fined you should always write down your travel details in the registration substitute booklet given to you along with your car until you get your white number plate. You should also avoid using cars with a red number plate between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am.

The DLT are strictly reinforcing this rule because they are trying to reduce the number of people who are not paying vehicle taxes.

Cars with red number plates, if stolen, are difficult to track. If it is used to conduct illegal activities they are harder for police to find as it is not registered. Some people are also using fake red number plates. Those with fake number plates can be sentenced to six months to five years in prison and receive a fine of 1,000 to 10,000 baht.  

To assist people who have recently bought a new car, the DLT have launched a new registration system in which you can get your white number plate within just one day. All that is needed are the vehicle documents, which indicate how and where you got purchased your car, and your identification card. Take these documents to the DLT office or your local transportation office office for registration.

People with broken or damaged number plates can request a new number plate immediately at their local transportation office. Never order a new number plate from a private company as it is illegal.

It is also illegal to decorate number plates in a way that covers the letters or numbers or color the plates similar to auctioned plates. Those breaking this rule will be fined up to 2,000 baht.