Titles or Registration Docs - Central America
 

Heya's.
Made it so far to bottom of Mexico from the US with just the registration document.
Is the actual Title doc a requirement as I can have this sent to me hefore entering Guatemala.

Anyone actually needed the bike title?

Thanks, was going to cross at La Mesila in 3 days, if I need that title perhaps a bit longer.

JD since you got this far you have pretty well proven you have adequate documentation.
You shall have no troubles in Central America if you can prove the bike is registered in your name, same as you r passport and other documents..
Question is though , since you bought the bike in the US and want to sell it in South America why did you not get all the papaerworks in the USA completely looked after and in your posession before actually setting off ?Post planning is always a pain and bother.

When I went through they wanted the title, depending on what state you have it registered in, the registration doc may state that it is not proof of ownership (they do in Washington State). Much better getting the title in hand if you can.
Bob:scooter:

Yeah well picked em up in the US, title took a bit longer than expected to recieve, its catching up with me, gonna get it DHL'd to a hotel soon.
Yeah, best to have both.
Thanks!

Every time this question is asked here (approx. once per week), the same range of answers comes back: some say they needed a title, some (like me) say they did not. Then a random Canadian checks in to point out that some provinces don't even issue titles, and that Canadian riders routinely make it to Ushuaia. Etc.

I carried a title. I painted it with plastic map coating (to prevent mildew, tearing and rot) before leaving, then stashed it deep. There's no downside to carrying it, and always the potential it might come in handy at some point. For one thing, it's the only way you can sell your bike if you decide to do so.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Title is needed.
 

I agree with Mark. I had some shipping papers and registration. This and a lot of bs ing got me to Nicaragua. (Mexico does not require a title for US vehicles.) My bike was brand new and did not have a title until I arrived in Nicaragua. I had my bro DHL it. Great service in Leon. I am now in Costa Rica and they were adamant about having a title. I am glad I had mine. Good luck.

I brought the title and had to produce it and lot's of copies about everywhere in C. A. south of Mexico. The story is still told about Bob Higdon. He rode from Washington DC to the Guatemala border where they noticed two digits the serial numbers of his bike were transposed. They would not let him into Guatemala. Then the DMV people in Washington, DC said they could not issue a new title with different numbers unless they could inspect the bike. He had to ride all the way back. Learn from this story, have the title and check to see the numbers are correct before you leave. Dave