Bike insurance and registration in Laos (coming from Thailand)

[CrossOver]

Hi all,

Forum newbie here. I currently live in Thailand where my bike is registered. I am moving to Laos soon, but I have been told by an insurance broker (J&C) today, that:

1) registering a motorbike with more than 250cc in Laos ... according to our information this is not possible, never was in the past. There was always talks that it would change in"near future", but for time being it's still only up to 250cc

2) motorbike registered in Thailand or other countries with more than 250cc visiting Laos (temporary)

3: It's also not possible to get insurance coverage for bikes over 250cc (mine is 800cc)

Any feedback as to the accuracy of this would be much appreciated. It may be correct for registration, but sounds a bit strange regarding insurance?

Many thanks for any insights offered.

 

[prince666]

Hi and welcome to RA.

I am sure other members will chip in about your insurance question.
My only view is.

"Is a Z800 the most suitable bike to ride in Laos"

 

[CrossOver]

Thanks for the welcome.

You're probably right about the z800 being far from ideal for Laos, but I'm loath to sell it as I've done a fair bit of work on it and I love riding it. So i'll see how it goes initially and switch to something better suited for local conditions if needed.

 

[BobS]

Have not crossed into Laos by bike for a few years, but never had any issue buying short term insurance at the border for my 850 and 900cc bikes.

 

[Lone Rider]

You should have nor problems with regard to insurance. There are several insurance companies and you can get insurance for a week or more = basically for as long as your trip will be - This is from AGL / AIG: https://www.agl-allianz.com/product/motor-insurance.html

 

[CrossOver]

[FONT=&quot]I Laos now and from what I can gather they are really tightening things up. Only just managed to get through customs with my bike after much persistent pleading and that's for 7 days only. Anything over 250cc will only get though customs if it's part of an official tour group or has special permission from the authorities. As for registering bikes over 250cc that appears to be a no go. Importing is still possible - further info at: http://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/index.php?r=site/index[/FONT]

 

[Pounce]

Which crossing?

 

[CrossOver]

Nong Khai

 

[Lone Rider]

Yes, things are getting more and more difficult. There have been problems with people entering into Laos with their bike and subsequently they sold the bike in Laos, something the Lao authorities want to prevent as they want to get their hands on the import tax. As a result, they insist that you enter as part of a "tour" so that the company who is handling that particular "tour" can be held liable in case a bike disappears while in Laos.

As long as the bike has been into and out of Laos, the authorities were generally quite flexible by allowing bikes in without being part of a "tour" but things can and do change as I just got information about a group of 2 bikes who wanted to cross into Laos (on May 16, 2018) with bikes which had been in and out of Laos before. They were told to buy a "tour" before they would be let in.

 

[prince666]

Interesting to find out if these new restrictions concerning vehicle entering Laos apply to the Chinese/Laos border crossing as well?

We have all seen how many Blue plated cars, yellow plated bikes arrive in Laos over the Chinese New year?

There all can't be on Tours?

 

[Lone Rider]

Interesting to find out if these new restrictions concerning vehicle entering Laos apply to the Chinese/Laos border crossing as well?

We have all seen how many Blue plated cars, yellow plated bikes arrive in Laos over the Chinese New year?

There all can't be on Tours?

Well, the problem seems to be with motorbikes only (and probably only with Thai registered bikes) and I was told that the definition of "tour" is loosely applied for single or groups of 2-3 bikes. It seems that you can contact one of the "tour operators" in Laos and for 2000 Baht or so they will prepare some paperwork describing the itinerary, etc. and this will help to "melt" the problem to manageable proportions. Others decide to leave their bike in Thailand and rent a bike in Laos which also solves the problem.

 

[Dragon88]

Solo riders now being refused entry at Chong Mek Savannakhet & Thakhek borders. This sucks. Does anyone know if permission can be applied for at Laotian embassies?

 

[Lone Rider]

Solo riders now being refused entry at Chong Mek Savannakhet & Thakhek borders. This sucks. Does anyone know if permission can be applied for at Laotian embassies?

To be honest I don't know but I would be very surprised if a Lao Embassy would be able to provide permission to cross into Laos with a motorbike at one of their borders.

 

[Dragon88]

To be honest I don't know but I would be very surprised if a Lao Embassy would be able to provide permission to cross into Laos with a motorbike at one of their borders.

Cambodian Embassy in KL issues permission letters for Malaysian riders to enter. Theres the same caveat it seems with Laos...special permission from authorities...whatever that means! LOL.

 

[Lone Rider]

Cambodian Embassy in KL issues permission letters for Malaysian riders to enter. Theres the same caveat it seems with Laos...special permission from authorities...whatever that means! LOL.

Yes, I have read that also and it would be nice if a letter from a Lao Embassy would solve the problem. The problem with Laos is that apparently it is the Customs Department that causes the problems with Immigration issuing a visa but Customs subsequently saying No.

Similar things have happened in the past also (I think it is still the case) where authorities in one province (Xayaboury) would not only prevent motorbikes enter from Thailand but even refuse them from leaving Laos (once they got into Laos using border crossings in other Lao provinces) using the International Border Crossings located in their province.

 

[Dragon88]

So much for interagency "co-ordination"! Vist Laos Year 2018...just not by bike. A simple remedy would be to ensure that appropriate insurance is in place and that the bike is removed from Laos on departure. ...alas, simple is SEA is often translated to extreme stupidity.

Yes, I have read that also and it would be nice if a letter from a Lao Embassy would solve the problem. The problem with Laos is that apparently it is the Customs Department that causes the problems with Immigration issuing a visa but Customs subsequently saying No.

Similar things have happened in the past also (I think it is still the case) where authorities in one province (Xayaboury) would not only prevent motorbikes enter from Thailand but even refuse them from leaving Laos (once they got into Laos using border crossings in other Lao provinces) using the International Border Crossings located in their province.

 

[Lone Rider]

So much for interagency "co-ordination"! Vist Laos Year 2018...just not by bike. A simple remedy would be to ensure that appropriate insurance is in place and that the bike is removed from Laos on departure. ...alas, simple is SEA is often translated to extreme stupidity.

Yes, that is the weird thing as Laos invites people to travel to Laos as they have declared 2018 as the Visit Laos Year but in fact they put all kind of barriers up to people who would like to enter Laos on a motorbike. But then again this is Laos - 2 years ago we were advised by the Tourism Department to visit Nong Fa Lake in Attapeu province. So off we went only to be stopped by the military - No way, this place is off-limit for tourists.

 

[Dragon88]

Latest reports are that riders are being refused entry at the Nong Khai border. I am having a Lao friend check Huay Xai today, hopefully some common sense (dreaming) will prevail. There is some talk of bikes that have previously been entered into the the Lao customs computer system being allowed in. It seems to change by the day.

 

[bsacbob]

Latest reports are that riders are being refused entry at the Nong Khai border. I am having a Lao friend check Huay Xai today, hopefully some common sense (dreaming) will prevail. There is some talk of bikes that have previously been entered into the the Lao customs computer system being allowed in. It seems to change by the day.

Sadly it has always been the case in Laos, what had been considered easy crossings are now closed to motorcycles, some now demand tour fee's some do not. HX has always been one of the easier crossings but you have to pay the 500 baht escort fee to cross the bridge into Laos but it's free if you cross from Laos to Thailand. I would suggest entering here and your exit back into Thailand at VTE or where-ever is usually pain free, since your already in country, but you must tell immigration in Laos where you plan to exit.

 

[Lone Rider]

Sadly it has always been the case in Laos, what had been considered easy crossings are now closed to motorcycles, some now demand tour fee's some do not. HX has always been one of the easier crossings but you have to pay the 500 baht escort fee to cross the bridge into Laos but it's free if you cross from Laos to Thailand. I would suggest entering here and your exit back into Thailand at VTE or where-ever is usually pain free, since your already in country, but you must tell immigration in Laos where you plan to exit.

Well, even exiting Laos to Thailand has its pitfalls - just got yesterday a message that a Thai rider had indicated, when he entered Laos at the Nongkhai crossing, that he would leave Laos at the Kenthao to Thali (north of Loei) crossing. Unfortunately when he wanted to cross back into Laos at that crossing he was told - No Way - you can not cross here into Thailand and he was sent to Vientiane to cross over there into Thailand.

 

[blackwolf]

Cambodian Embassy in KL issues permission letters for Malaysian riders to enter. Theres the same caveat it seems with Laos...special permission from authorities...whatever that means! LOL.

I have read somewhere that Malaysian and Singaporean bikers have been refused entry to Laos coming from Nong Khai. Not sure if this permission letter thing still works. Maybe in the past.

 

[blackwolf]

Well, the problem seems to be with motorbikes only (and probably only with Thai registered bikes) and I was told that the definition of "tour" is loosely applied for single or groups of 2-3 bikes. It seems that you can contact one of the "tour operators" in Laos and for 2000 Baht or so they will prepare some paperwork describing the itinerary, etc. and this will help to "melt" the problem to manageable proportions. Others decide to leave their bike in Thailand and rent a bike in Laos which also solves the problem.

I don't think Malaysians and Singaporeans will be getting in across the Thai border either. Lots of stories on various facebook groups about problems entering Laos from Thailand.

 

[blackwolf]

Yes, things are getting more and more difficult. There have been problems with people entering into Laos with their bike and subsequently they sold the bike in Laos, something the Lao authorities want to prevent as they want to get their hands on the import tax. As a result, they insist that you enter as part of a "tour" so that the company who is handling that particular "tour" can be held liable in case a bike disappears while in Laos.

As long as the bike has been into and out of Laos, the authorities were generally quite flexible by allowing bikes in without being part of a "tour" but things can and do change as I just got information about a group of 2 bikes who wanted to cross into Laos (on May 16, 2018) with bikes which had been in and out of Laos before. They were told to buy a "tour" before they would be let in.

Many tourists entering on Vietnamese bikes are encountering problems coming into Laos from Vietnam. Some borders (mainly in central Vietnam) remain OK but the rest are generally hit and miss or a no go.

Many tourists sell Vietnamese plated bikes in Laos so one would think Laos would be consistent and crack down on Vietnamese bikes coming in, especially those being ridden by foreigners. Something tells me problems ranging from accidents to filming sites that one isn't allowed to, not doing the paperwork, not purchasing insurance are bigger issues than selling Thai plated bikes. It's the Vietnamese ones you see for sale everywhere in tourist areas - I'm surprised the Lao government has been so lenient on this so far. Perhaps it's only a matter of time before foreign motorcycles will be banned from entering Laos altogether, unless on a tour.

 

[blackwolf]

Interesting to find out if these new restrictions concerning vehicle entering Laos apply to the Chinese/Laos border crossing as well?

We have all seen how many Blue plated cars, yellow plated bikes arrive in Laos over the Chinese New year?

There all can't be on Tours?

Chinese vehicles can enter Laos because of friendly relations with Laos (and because the two countries share a common border) - there has to my knowledge not been any indication that Chinese vehicles will be subjected to a permit and guide restriction as with Thailand and Vietnam. But just because it hasn't happened, doesn't mean it won't happen in the future.

I'm not sure if China shares an official agreement with Laos on private cross border traffic - what I do know is Lao plated cars can only travel as far as Jinghong, meanwhile Chinese plates have access to all of Laos. This is quite unfair - although in past years it was apparently possible for Lao plates to drive all over China without a guide, by simply requesting permission at each provincial boundary. This loophole was closed some years ago. It may still be possible to drive up to Kunming and around Yunnan at least without a guide, if you know a Chinese person who can vouch for you, but not sure how this works (do you call your friend and get him/her to speak to the customs agent?) Or do you need a notarized letter with stamp from the Chinese embassy/consulate and their ID or passport copy? The two countries do share an agreement on cross border buses, which are allowed to travel as far as Kunming.

Motorcycles are a different story. I too would be curious to know whether there are restrictions for motorcycles at this border - Chinese drivers/riders certainly get into lots of accidents in Laos as they did in Thailand up until 2016. I have read numerous stories about Chinese drivers/riders fleeing after an accident in Laos.

However, perhaps the reason there is not much knowledge of this is that China is not a major starting point for foreigners traveling in the region. China hosts far fewer expats/tourists than Thailand and Vietnam do (at least in proportion to their population) and any accurate information about driving/riding into Laos and other countries from China will only be available in Chinese.