Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Visitor to UK buying a vehicle for Euro/Balkan Trip Visitor to UK buying a vehicle for Euro/Balkan Trip
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Sep 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 198
Visitor to UK buying a vehicle for Euro/Balkan Trip
Hi All,

I am having a bit of trouble finding the info I need on the DVLA website etc.

We have family arriving in July who would like to come on our Euro holiday with us, this will probably be down to Italy across from Bari to Montenegro and back up.

They are coming from Australia on Kiwi passports and want to buy a car, and sell it post trip. Obviously we will need the registration document prior to the trip. If they buy the vehicle on arrival in UK that could be a bit tricky as the DVLA will probably take about 4 weeks to process it.

Do any of you know what the best approach to getting this sorted is? Can I buy a vehicle for them in their name?

What about insurance for the EU can a none resident insure a vehicle for UK and the EU?

I guess for the Balkan states we will just buy insurance at the borders and be done with it. For this the V5 registration document will need to be in their name.

Any ideas?

Many Thanks

Dan
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Sep 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 46
You should have no problem buying a vehicle and registering it in their name.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Sep 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 376
Your best bet regarding insuarance is to ring someone like Carole Nash and ask them.

Why not buy the truck in your own name if you'll be accompanying them on the trip? Insure it and have them as named drivers perhaps?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23 Sep 2011
Pongo's Avatar
R.I.P. - 2020
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cotes d'Armor, France.
Posts: 377
I am sorry to say this but a previous reply is not correct. In order to register a vehicle in the U.K. you must have a permanent address in the U.k.. A visitor staying temporarily at an address in the U.K. is NOT considered to be a resident. The DVLA check applicants details before registration is allowed, if you don't show up on an electoral register, the DVLA database, or any of the other cross referenced databases, then you can't register. Neither can you register a vehicle on someone elses behalf.

Not being able to register a vehicle means that you can't insure it either.

It is no longer easy to arrive from overseas buy a car/bike, insure it and drive off. Unfortunately too many criminals and terrorist types have been doing the same thing, so it's been stopped.
__________________
-''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
  #5  
Old 23 Sep 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 198
Quote:
Originally Posted by dave ett View Post
Your best bet regarding insuarance is to ring someone like Carole Nash and ask them.

Why not buy the truck in your own name if you'll be accompanying them on the trip? Insure it and have them as named drivers perhaps?
Hi, Unfortunately that would not work, when you buy insurance at borders they make it out to the registered owner.

I have not been able to find cheap (reasonably) insurance to cover Balkans for a 4x4.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 Sep 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 198
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pongo View Post
I am sorry to say this but a previous reply is not correct. In order to register a vehicle in the U.K. you must have a permanent address in the U.k.. A visitor staying temporarily at an address in the U.K. is NOT considered to be a resident. The DVLA check applicants details before registration is allowed, if you don't show up on an electoral register, the DVLA database, or any of the other cross referenced databases, then you can't register. Neither can you register a vehicle on someone elses behalf.

Not being able to register a vehicle means that you can't insure it either.

It is no longer easy to arrive from overseas buy a car/bike, insure it and drive off. Unfortunately too many criminals and terrorist types have been doing the same thing, so it's been stopped.
This is interesting. I wonder what people do if they move over?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Sep 2011
Selous's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 437
Quote:
Originally Posted by danward79 View Post
Hi All,

I am having a bit of trouble finding the info I need on the DVLA website etc.

We have family arriving in July who would like to come on our Euro holiday with us, this will probably be down to Italy across from Bari to Montenegro and back up.

They are coming from Australia on Kiwi passports and want to buy a car, and sell it post trip. Obviously we will need the registration document prior to the trip. If they buy the vehicle on arrival in UK that could be a bit tricky as the DVLA will probably take about 4 weeks to process it.
Do any of you know what the best approach to getting this sorted is? Can I buy a vehicle for them in their name?
What about insurance for the EU can a none resident insure a vehicle for UK and the EU?
I guess for the Balkan states we will just buy insurance at the borders and be done with it. For this the V5 registration document will need to be in their name.
Any ideas? Many Thanks Dan
Hi Dan, Unfortunately the law changed sometime ago as foreigner's would have a accident and get away with it the Law has changed they must be Domiciled in UK, i.e. rented house etc.

I would suggest you buy the car/van in your name, ditto insurance & place them as Named Drivers. which means they are covered on the insurance, They would have to bring there full licence.
__________________
We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Oct 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 198
Thanks,

That plan from what I understand is good, until you come to a border to buy a green card. The green card is issued in the name of the registered owners name (my experience).

I will be driving a different car.

It would be good if I can get the green card in a name other than the registered owners name.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Oct 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
For all the reasons mentioned above, the vehicle insurance companies want to know more and more about who is driving etc.
Personally, I would shy away from using the named driver system and take insurance for anyone over, say, age 25 to drive. That way you have flexibility in who drives and when, assuming that they do hold a licence to drive that type of vehicle.
If you declare an overseas driver, you may find that one or more ins companies may refuse cover.

Thereafter, based on your stated route, I would take my chances in the Balkans with the green card cover. A large part of your intended itinery lies within "Europe" in the definitions of the UK policy.
If you have a UK resident passenger for your own vehicle then register the new vehicle in their name and they could drive it while you are outside the defined countries of Europe.

That's just the thoughts that this thread has generated for me.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 7 Oct 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 166
This is always a problem and I have been in this position myself. It is not unsurmountable if you are willing to bend the rules a bit.

I am English and live in Denmark. I bought a motorbike on e bay uk and had it sent to my brother in Yorkshire. The bike was registered in my name at his address. The insurance was done with an online insurance company as was the breakdown cover, all in my name at his address.

I came over and collected the bike and took it to Italy and back to Denmark. My only slight concern was being pulled by the police in the UK but even then I would be an English guy riding a bike registered to me but with a Danish driving licence.

Once I was out of the UK it was not a problem. If I had broken down in Italy at least I could have got the breakdown truck to take me to Holland before dropping me off but that problem did not arise.

I know it was not legal but it was as legal as I could possibly make it.

Steve
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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
Euro Trip gentrymorris Route Planning 7 8 Feb 2011 18:53
Buying Motorcycle in Euro bodylove Europe 5 21 Jun 2009 22:42
1 st timers euro trip johnlahiffe Travellers Seeking Travellers 15 14 Jul 2007 08:30
Euro trip dilema the-bushman Trip Transport 2 16 Feb 2006 17:11
Cuba Trip & Registering Euro Bike in US John Morganfield Trip Transport 1 29 May 2001 19:38

 
 

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 12:13.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top