Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Mar 2011
Pongo's Avatar
R.I.P. - 2020
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cotes d'Armor, France.
Posts: 377
Overseas Visitors Buying Vehicles in Europe

I'm starting this thread because there seem to be a lot of overseas visitors considering buying bikes in Europe for short term touring. If you want to stay within the law and know that you are properly insured then you should consider the following. It's not advice, it's just the way things are now in Europe. Everything has been tightened up, and the consequences of not doing it right can be catastrophic.

If you buy a bike anywhere in Europe it must be registered in your name within 4 weeks at a permanent address in the country of purchase unless you have an export certificate. A seller must complete his part of the registration document at date of sale and send it into the registration authorities and the purchaser must do likewise. If the purchaser doesn't send in his/her part the bike becomes unregistered, and is flagged on the computer system as unregistered.

An unregistered bike is not insurable ( except in some trade circumstances). Even if you get an insurance certificate on the day you purchase it, it will only be temporary cover and it will not be valid unless all the other parts of the system subsequently tie in. In the U.K. a bike over 4 years old will need an MOT. There may be road tax to pay. In some parts of continental Europe ( eg France) a vehicle safety check like the MOT or CT (controle technique) is not (yet) required, but you will pay for the new registration document according to the power rating of the machine. This is in lieu of yearly road taxation.

Most European countries have fully integrated computer systems which show details of bike, registered keeper,licence status and categories, insurance status, MoT and road tax where applicable, and if any element is either wrong or missing then your insurance is automatically invalid. If caught on the road, any vehicle proved to be without insurance will be seized on the spot, and in some cases destroyed depending on the country and severity of the total offence. In some countries, automatic number plate recognition systems (ANPR) can tell a police patrol car immediately the status of any vehicle picked up on it's system.

This tightening up and integration of the European systems, is not just about money, it's also an unfortunate by product of the global terrorist problem.

It's up to you what you do, but better safe than sorry!
__________________
-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Mar 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
Not that i would do this myself!!! bring a set of number plates from your home country and buy green card zone insurance over the 'net.

I'm not sure that global terrorism has a lot to do with it, its more about the global reach of the vehicle hire companies that have been pushing legislators for years to outlaw non resident vehicle purchases to improve their industry protection.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying bikes / vehicles Russia.. joshsnave Northern and Central Asia 2 7 Aug 2010 19:09
visitors lorraine SOUTH AMERICA 2 23 Jul 2009 22:29
My Website - My posts here increase visitors! kentfallen Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 4 30 Jan 2008 16:59
Staying in Arequipa (Peru), visitors welcome ! Smellybiker Travellers Seeking Travellers 8 6 Dec 2004 21:35
Bringing Overseas Vehicles to Australia sarah Trip Paperwork 0 13 Jun 2000 13:55

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:22.