what doc's to take on tour? (title?)

[smitwal]

In the US the "title" is the document that says you own the vehicle. We never carry the title with the vehicle. (If they were stolen together you'd be SOL.) In the UK registration establishes an association between the "keeper" (or driver) and the vehicle. This must always be kept with the vehicle. What documents must/should/might I (not) carry on tour? Anyone care to make a quick stab at the list? I'll be grateful for any and all thoughts. Thanks all and safe travels. -Ben.

[JamesCo]

Depends where you're going as to what you need, but normally:

* Passport
* License
* Title
* Rego
* Insurance Card

Most Latin American borders only needed the title and passport, but occasionally all five were required. Carnet, international license, vaccination card and letters of introduction are other docs to think about. I highly recommend 'losing' each document (not the passport) twice and keeping one extra on you or the bike, and another ready to be sent out back home. High quality scans are handy so you can photoshop new and updated versions on the road.

Does losing the title with the bike make any difference? If you're unlucky enough to have the bike nicked, well, it's gone anyway - few travellers have theft insurance that works outside the west...

Good luck,
James

[This message has been edited by JamesCo (edited 16 February 2005).]

[davidmc]

I might add...you can scan the documents and then email them to your yahoo or hotmail account, that way you will have access to your scans at any computer in the world.

Dave

[PanEuropean]

<font face="" size="2">In the US the "title" is the document that says you own the vehicle. We never carry the title with the vehicle.</font>

In Canada, the registration document is also the title to the vehicle. I always carry the registration document in the car, because it may be requested if you are stopped by the police. It is not essential to have the original of the document, a photocopy will do.

But, having said that, if someone stole my vehicle, I would hope and pray that they would be stupid enough to take the original title document and try to re-register the vehicle. If they did, it would provide a sure-fire way of tracking down the stolen vehicle, and the thief. This is because if you want to re-register a vehicle, the licencing authorities will communicate with the previous province, state, or country of registration to make sure that they have de-registered the vehicle - to make sure that you don't have more than one set of licence plates in circulation for the same vehicle.

I think the bit about 'not carrying the original document' is a bit of an urban legend, perhaps passed on from your grandfather's days, when there was less co-operation between different authorities, and certainly no computer systems.

[smitwal]

I should try to be more specific. When I buy a bike I can have the new registration (in my name) over the counter, immediately, but it takes DMV/DVLA four to eight weeks to mail me the new title. If I want to leave sooner than that, can I go with only the registration? I guess I'm really fishing for someone to say "yeah, go." Because in some/many places (CAN/UK/BELG) the title and reg are the same doc, maybe no one ever asks me if there a title doc separate from the reg doc. (?) Thanks all.
-Ben.

[beddhist]

My understanding is that you only need rego in your name. In Germany we keep the title in the safe. In France there isn't one.

As long as you have a doc with all the details on it you should be ok, unless somebody has experienced differently in a particular country.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

[DaveSmith]

Originally posted by davidmc:
I might add...you can scan the documents and then email them to your yahoo or hotmail account, that way you will have access to your scans at any computer in the world.

Dave

I've got a gmail account. It's google's email and you get 1 gig of memory. On some computers it's very slow but 95% of the time, it's been fine. I think they've opened it to the public, but if not, email me with your email and I'll send you an invite.

--Dave




------------------
Trying to ride (and work) my way round the world on a 1965 Ducati 250cc. In New Zealand now. Japan in April. http://nokilli.com/rtw/

[danbrew]

Originally posted by smitwal:
I should try to be more specific. When I buy a bike I can have the new registration (in my name) over the counter, immediately, but it takes DMV/DVLA four to eight weeks to mail me the new title. If I want to leave sooner than that, can I go with only the registration? I guess I'm really fishing for someone to say "yeah, go." Because in some/many places (CAN/UK/BELG) the title and reg are the same doc, maybe no one ever asks me if there a title doc separate from the reg doc. (?) Thanks all.
-Ben.

Hi Ben - I'd say it depends upon the country. If you are considering Mexico, they will want the original title in your name - or if there is a lien on the bike, a letter from the lienholder with a copy of the title giving you permission to take the bike into Mexico.

I bought a used GS in December and wanted to take it into Mexico but the Illinois DMV couldn't turn around the title faster than six weeks - meaning that I couldn't go to Mexico. I asked around on the boards, and even called the Mexican consulate in Chicago. No go.