Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North America
North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
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 10 Jun 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 188
Requirement? Riding in USA, for tourists

What are the rules and regulations for tourists who want to hire/ride a motorcycle in USA? Is the IDP sufficient? Is any other documentation required?

For instance my driving licence allows me to drive cars and motorcycles in India (no category - in India a motorcycle licence is good for 50cc mopeds to the Boss Hoss) - what would I have to do in order to ride in the USA as a tourist for, say, 2 months?

Any official site where I can get the relevant information?

TIA.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Jun 2007
yuma simon's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
I would contact one of the numerous bike hire companies here in the US, as most specialize in out-of-country tourists. Use a search engine to find probably dozens. I know there are probably numerous ones listed on Horizons, too.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Jun 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: chicago il usa
Posts: 41
Idp is fine.
The only problem seems to be in getting insurance if it's your own bike.The min you will need is an address in the USA. to purchase it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Jun 2007
Irishkev's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 96
Depends on how long you are staying. I am just finalising insurance for mine through sunrise group, its foreign motorcycle cover, but only for 3 months. Dont need and address here. But it depends on what your looking for,
__________________
http://www.celticadventurer.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Jun 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 188
Thanks.

So I gather that unless one is on a non tourist visa, the IDP is good for riding or driving, and that insurance is necessary only if a bike is being purchased
(perhaps that can be arranged from here as well as there are many companies with an US based collaborator), for a stay of a longer duration .

I was confused about the IDP being good only for cars (for those on a tourist visa), anybody knowing about some official site clarifying the same?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Jun 2007
yuma simon's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
Insurance is required in pretty much every US state. You don't need to insure your own bike, but you have to have proof of liability (is it called 3rd party in the UK?) which protects someone else if you cause an accident, if demanded by a cop if you were to be pulled over. I am not sure how strict some states might be for not having it (there are fines involved, but perhaps confiscation of the bike) so you would probably want to factor insurance into your trip.

If you are renting a bike, the rental company would probably make you purchase insurance.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Jun 2007
Smellybiker's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Missing, presumed fed
Posts: 295
Doing it now....

Insurance is a *must have* in the US - its a country full of lawyers so if anything bad happened & you dont have it you're really screwed.

Sorted mine out online with Progressive Auto Insurance - Car Insurance Quotes Plus Boat, RV and Motorcycle Insurance Quotes & borrowed a friends postal address. Either their rates are good or I'm an old git (I prefer to believe the former), you have to sign up for 12 months of cover but can cancel & get a refund on the unused time.

Motorcycle Express is another option and you should really try them as they advertise here - sadly they took three days to get back to me and were expensive.

I'm riding around on my UK licence - I stopped a cop at the border and asked him to check it & was told its OK, good enough for me.
__________________
Missing, presumed fed.
https://youtube.com/@ChileBob
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 Jun 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 188
We have "third party" insurance here too, but it is clubbed with the vehicle (not the person driving/riding). I guess insurance companies will be having access to the official rules etc.

Thanks for your inputs!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 17 Jun 2007
Hindu1936's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Yongin, South Korea
Posts: 327
mine says it is good for bikes, cars, or vans up to 8 person capacity. I am also taking my Korean motorcycle license just in case I run across an LOE that can't read.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 22 Jun 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Arnob:

The IDP (international driving permit) is really nothing more than a translation of the text of your driving licence into a variety of languages, English being one of them. If your present (national) driving licence is already printed in the English language, then the IDP really isn't much use to you - in fact, most North American rental agencies and police would probably not even know what it is. having said that, though, it's probably best to get an IDP "just in case" - they are usually not expensive.

As for renting, if you rent any motor vehicle (car, motorcycle, truck) from an established rental company (as opposed to renting it from a friend or acquaintence), you can pretty much take for granted that the vehicle will have liability insurance sufficient to cover the minimum required for all 50 states and Canada. The North American rental companies rarely, if ever, provide theft, collision damage, or other 'extended' insurance coverage as basic - you have to pay extra for this if you want it, and the daily charges for the extra insurance coverages can be very high - best to do your homework and find out exactly what they are ahead of time.

But, the basic gist is this: If you rent a vehicle in North America, it will come with the legally required basic, minimum liability insurance. That much you can take for granted - I think it is against the law to rent a vehicle that is not insured for liability.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 21 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 188
Thanks again.

I think this has also been replied to in this thread:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...727#post140510
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 21 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean View Post
Arnob:

The IDP (international driving permit) is really nothing more than a translation of the text of your driving licence into a variety of languages, English being one of them. If your present (national) driving licence is already printed in the English language, then the IDP really isn't much use to you - in fact, most North American rental agencies and police would probably not even know what it is. having said that, though, it's probably best to get an IDP "just in case" - they are usually not expensive.

As for renting, if you rent any motor vehicle (car, motorcycle, truck) from an established rental company (as opposed to renting it from a friend or acquaintence), you can pretty much take for granted that the vehicle will have liability insurance sufficient to cover the minimum required for all 50 states and Canada. The North American rental companies rarely, if ever, provide theft, collision damage, or other 'extended' insurance coverage as basic - you have to pay extra for this if you want it, and the daily charges for the extra insurance coverages can be very high - best to do your homework and find out exactly what they are ahead of time.

But, the basic gist is this: If you rent a vehicle in North America, it will come with the legally required basic, minimum liability insurance. That much you can take for granted - I think it is against the law to rent a vehicle that is not insured for liability.
Agreed.

I hired a HD softail in the States (Virginia if it matters) for just a few hours, which is all the time I had available on a business trip - I just drove up to the hire base, showed them my UK licence, put down a big deposit on a credit card, put on my shades and shorts and rode off; it is that simple.
The States is a service society; it thrives on business and providing services to customers (you locals can differ on that if you get bad service but I am talking as a tourist).
This was one month before 9/11 so things may have changed?!
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 28 Jan 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BELGIUM
Posts: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Hacker View Post
Insurance is a *must have* in the US - its a country full of lawyers so if anything bad happened & you dont have it you're really screwed.

Sorted mine out online with Progressive Auto Insurance - Car Insurance Quotes Plus Boat, RV and Motorcycle Insurance Quotes & borrowed a friends postal address. Either their rates are good or I'm an old git (I prefer to believe the former), you have to sign up for 12 months of cover but can cancel & get a refund on the unused time.

Motorcycle Express is another option and you should really try them as they advertise here - sadly they took three days to get back to me and were expensive.

I'm riding around on my UK licence - I stopped a cop at the border and asked him to check it & was told its OK, good enough for me.

Happy Hacker, Many thanks. This was exactly what I was looking for. My bike is in Santa Fe and I drove 2000 miles in the States (came from Mexico) without insurance. Now this is solved. Thanks
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
Riding Western China Video Teaser CrazyCarl Route Planning 4 17 May 2007 17:02
Road positioning when riding in group maria41 Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 9 20 Dec 2006 19:31
Riding Jackets - New Design - Need advice Kiwirider Camping Equipment and all Clothing 19 18 Sep 2006 16:39
Iran visa for Americans - guide requirement? davidmc Trip Paperwork 3 14 Sep 2005 04:37
Riding in Colombia Werner SOUTH AMERICA 5 11 Sep 2005 04:57

 
 

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 14:46.