Reserve a Plate Online, Bid at Auction or Buy Second-Hand?

The three ways people in Thailand get a plate

People who want a vanity plate are often unsure where to start, yet there are really three main routes, each suited to a different kind of buyer. The first is reserving a plate number online with the Department of Land Transport (DLT). The second is bidding in a special series auction run by the DLT. The third is buying a second-hand plate by taking over the rights from its current holder.

What sets the three routes apart comes down to three things: how freely you can choose the number you want, how fast you get the plate, and the price range. Once you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each route, you can pick the one that fits your situation without wasting time on trial and error.

Route one: reserve a number online with the DLT

This route uses the DLT's online plate reservation system at reserve.dlt.go.th, with identity verification through the ThaID app. The system opens for reservations in rounds announced by the DLT, not all the time. Its strengths are that it is a direct government channel and there is no charge to reserve a number. For the fees and costs at the time of actual registration, check the current rates with the DLT.

A limitation to be aware of is that the numbers available in this system are ordinary numbers the DLT allocates within the series currently being issued, not auction-grade vanity numbers that people compete for in the millions. If the nice number you want has already been reserved by someone else, you have to choose another from what remains. Once you reserve, you must register within the period the DLT sets, or the number is released for others to reserve.

In short, this route suits people registering a new car who are happy with an ordinary number from what is available and want to spend as little as possible. It does not suit you if you want a specific vanity number right away.

Route two: special series auctions

Special series plates, commonly called auction plates, are vanity numbers the DLT selects and puts up for auction in rounds, such as four of a kind, triple digits and numbers with standout patterns. Prices therefore depend on competition on auction day. Some numbers in early series have closed at tens of millions of baht because many bidders competed for them. Auction revenue goes into a government fund for road safety.

The strength of this route is that you get a graphic special series plate that is attractive and highly regarded. The trade-off is that you cannot control the final price, you have to compete with others, and you must wait for a round in which the number you like is offered. If you miss that round, you have to wait for the next one or look on the secondary market instead. This route suits people set on a collector-grade plate who are ready to compete on price.

Route three: buy a second-hand plate you can transfer right away

Once a vanity number has gone through auction and has an owner, the only way to get it is through the secondary market, by taking over the rights from the current holder. This is where the plates listed on this site come from. The biggest advantage is that you can pick a specific number from plates that actually exist, with no waiting for rounds and no auction to win. If you see a number you like, you can get in touch and start the transfer.

This site acts as a price comparison middleman, gathering the same plate number from many sellers onto a single page. You can see how much each seller is asking for the number you want before you decide. The prices shown are sellers' asking prices, not the final price you pay, because there are also transfer fees and other costs you should check with the DLT.

This route suits people who already have a number in mind and want it quickly, and who accept secondary market prices that are usually higher than reserving directly, in exchange for not having to try their luck in the reservation system or compete at auction. Before every transfer, check the number's status and the documents in full, as summarised in our article on plate transfer documents.

Which route should you choose?

If you are registering a new car on a limited budget and are not set on a particular number, start with online reservation through the DLT, as it is economical and straightforward. If you are set on a collector-grade plate and ready to compete on the day, special series auctions are your arena. And if you already have a number in mind and want it quickly without waiting for a round, the second-hand market, where you can compare prices, is the route that fits.

Many people combine more than one route, for example trying online reservation first and, if they do not get a number they like, looking on the second-hand market. Knowing all three routes means you do not miss opportunities or pay more than necessary. Most importantly, for every route, always check information with the DLT as the final reference.