Carnet - RAC or ADAC?

**Bensouthall** · #1 4th September 2007

Dear all,

Trying to get together some of the paperwork I'll be needing for my trip across Africa at the end of the year and have heard there are a couple of different ways to obtain the vehicle carnet.

I have a UK registered Landover to which the document applies, but does anyone have any experience of applying for their carnet through the ADAC in Germany as opposed to the RAC route in the UK?

From reading the website of one this forum's subscribers (totally forgotten who it is!! apologies) I remember reading that if you go through the German route the costs can be reduced by something like 80%!

Can someone shed any light on this for me?

Thanks in advance,

Ben

**Roel van Ulft** · #2 10th September 2007

Hi,

maybe it was our website; www.popadd.com/overlandy2006

Def go to ADAC!!!!!!!
RAC asking silly money. All details on our website.

Have fun preparing!

Lizzy and Roel

**hook** · #3 10th September 2007

I'm in with Roel...after getting my first carnet from the Canadian Automobile Association, and my second from ADAC, I can only say: go ADAC. I never obtained a carnet from RAC, I can only say ADAC was great. Fast, much less expensive and it was done right from the get go. Bon voyage! H.

**andyb43** · #4 12th September 2007

Hi

ADAC without a doubt I followed Lizzy and Raols advise and Stephani at ADAC was fantastic when I got to munchen it was all ready and we were off with a full 25 page carnet.

RAC are over priced and take for ever.

**Quintin** · #5 12th September 2007

Actually, RAC are very quick. Sent off the forms, got a quote by return-literally a day or so later. Called them up, paid (gulp!) and the Carnet arrived next day.

I don't understand why ADAC are cheaper than RAC because the real cost is not the RAC's charges but the Insurance premium and both the RAC and ADAC Carnets are underwritten by the same (British) insurer.

Q

**Bensouthall** · #6 12th September 2007

My thoughts were leaning towards the ADAC route based on what other people have mentioned in passing and this seems to confirm that.

As a UK based individual with a UK registered bank account and vehicle is the process still fairly pain-free. I can see there being a few problems trying to get monies transferred etc?

I have the application form all ready to go, its just making that final committment!

Thanks for all of the advice, very warmly received.

Ben

**darren_m** · #7 13th September 2007

Ive just received an e-mail back from the ADAC, Regarding my Africa trip. 25 page carnet was 3000 Euros But I have to get a letter or similar from the RAC stating that they have no objections to me getting it from the ADAC.

But at the same time Ive read posts on here stating that the Carnet isnt needed for a large part of Africa (well on the route I have planned anyway).

And you can get a similar peice of paper from border crossings all be it that they may have some restrictions in place regarding the amount of time you may spend in there country.

If this is the case why do so many people spend out money getting the Carnet in the First place???.

Any info if the above is still the case would be greatly appreciated, I dont mind spending time hanging around at crossings if it's going to save me ££££'s that could be put to better use.

Kind Regards. Darren

**umanemo** · #8 5th October 2007

We have a German registered camper and will be getting our carnet de passage from ADAC. Unfortunately our UK friends traveling with us got a ridiculous quote (800% of the value of their camper) from RAC. When I asked our ADAC representative if they could get their carnet from them, she said they would need a letter from RAC stating it was okay. Apparently ADAC doesn't want to "step on RAC's toes" so they are requiring this. Has anyone gotten this letter from RAC?

**andyb43** · #9 6th October 2007

never got a letter just delt directly with ADAC RAC you pay for the insurance then oly get half back ADAC you get all the deposit back. ADAC 7000 pounds and RAC 150 000 pounds deposit or RAC Insurance 8000 pounds.

Transfering the money is simple take the ADAC bank details to your bank then they wire transfer the amount for you costs about 25 pounds.

**Lisa Thomas** · #10 8th October 2007

we use the RAC and have never had any problems - after being 4 and half years on the road. We valued our motorbikes ourselves and this valutation was not queried by them.

we deal with the ever helpful and friendly Paul Gowen at the Carnet dept at the RAC.

make sure that you have a chat with him before making any final decision.

We found that it was essental and a great time saver to have a carnet whilst travelling through Africa. By having one you are less likely to be asked for all sorts of additional 'payments and costs' at the borders. The border officials are also becoming more used to seeing them these days and therefore accept them more willingly than previously.

hope that your trip goes well.
Lisa

**steve71** · #11 30th October 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa Thomas

we use the RAC and have never had any problems - after being 4 and half years on the road. We valued our motorbikes ourselves and this valutation was not queried by them.

we deal with the ever helpful and friendly Paul Gowen at the Carnet dept at the RAC.

make sure that you have a chat with him before making any final decision.

We found that it was essental and a great time saver to have a carnet whilst travelling through Africa. By having one you are less likely to be asked for all sorts of additional 'payments and costs' at the borders. The border officials are also becoming more used to seeing them these days and therefore accept them more willingly than previously.

hope that your trip goes well.
Lisa

My sentiments exactly I am lucky enough to work (for the time being) just accross the road from the RAC building in Bristol and met Paul Gowen yesterday, he is extremeley helpfull, freindly chap

and when it is all explained you do get a great deal of your money back on return of a completed document. I think after speaking with Paul you would change your mind and go with the RAC as with my experience they pull all the stops when required to ensure your paperwork is ready when you need it. Personaly I think it is a first class service.

Best of luck

Steve

**Chris Scott** · #12 30th October 2007

I recently did some rough calcs for an Egypt-return trip (biggest bond in the world - x8 - with RAC, less with ADAC) for under £10k cars, and ADAC and RAC actually worked out similar when I realised RAC refund you a bit.

Met Paul G at the HU rally this year and he said: go with ADAC, I could do with a break! so I doubt letters to keep ADAC happy would be a prob.

Will prob go with RAC to keep it simple.

Chris S

**MountainMan** · #13 31st October 2007

I can't comment on the RAC vs. ADAC question but having used CAA recently, they are very good to deal with. And for some reason, the bond that they request for Egypt is only 55% ("only"), strangely enough there are other countries in Africa that are higher, with a 100% bond required.

Probably mostly irrelevant for Europeans as the CAA applies to primarly North Americans or N.A. bikes.

At the end of the day, deposit is fully refundable so the issue is the ability to come up with the cash.

**Frank Warner** · #14 31st October 2007

I've observed the same inconsistancy with teh required bond in various countries being different for different isuing countries .. very strange .... it is as though teh payable duty is variable depending on where things come from?

**ghenk** · #15 3rd November 2007

Hi All,

This makes very interesting reading! We have always thought that our only option was to go through the RAC. The ADAC definately looks much cheaper that the RAC when you look at the level of guarentees required like for like.

What would be good to know is whether the ADAC accepts insurance against the Carnet like the RAC does. If not then the hit to cash flow makes the RAC a better option, if you are squeezed for cash up front like we are!

Does anyone know if they accept insurance from RL Davidson?

Thanks,

Bruce