Buying a used scooter on the islands: the green book, tax and transfer

Every registered motorbike has a registration book — for motorbikes it's commonly called the green book. It names the legal owner, records the frame (chassis) and engine numbers, and logs tax payments and ownership transfers.

Without the green book you can't transfer ownership, and you can't prove the bike is yours. A bike sold "without book" may be stolen, under finance or impossible to register.

The seller's ID matches the owner in the green book (or the seller has signed transfer documents from the owner).

The frame and engine numbers stamped on the bike match the book.

Road tax is paid — the round tax sticker on the bike shows the year — and the compulsory third-party insurance (พ.ร.บ.) is valid. Both are renewed every year.

The bike isn't under a finance (hire-purchase) agreement; if it is, the finance company holds the book.

Test ride: brakes, tyres, lights, starting from cold, and any oil leaks.

Buyer and seller (or the seller's signed, witnessed transfer forms and a copy of their ID) go to the Department of Land Transport with the green book. The bike may need a quick inspection.

Foreign buyers usually need their passport and a certificate of residence from Immigration or their embassy.

Koh Samui has a DLT office; buyers on Koh Phangan and Koh Tao usually do transfers on Samui or in Surat Thani, so agree with the seller in advance how the paperwork will be done.

Have the green book, tax and insurance ready, and list it on KOHlist with the year, mileage and photos — it's free. Take a copy of the buyer's ID and complete the transfer together so fines and accidents after the sale aren't linked to you.