UK Rider in USA - what paperwork do I need?
 

Hey everybody.

I am hoping to ride down from Seatlle to LA through May this year. I will only be on the road for 3.5 weeks, but was wondering what paperwork I will need, if any?

I have a full UK bike license (I passed in April 2006). I hope to either borrow or buy/sell a bike for this trip as renting is way to expensive for me.

I will be 28 years old during the trip.

Do I simply need to get myself a bike, insure it and the rock and roll? or is there anything else that I need to be aware of?

Thanks

Mark

Borrowing is certainly your better bet. Ask your friend if his insurance policy will cover a licensed rider from another country. I asked my insurance (State Farm) about this and they said such a friend would be covered under my policy if they borrowed my bike. Be sure to get an International Drivers License to avoid any hassles.

Buying a bike is more complicated because then you need someone who can register it for you. If you want the bike in your name, then it will depend on the State how easily that is done. Some states require residency, others don't care, and yet others require a US Drivers license before you can register a vehicle. So, you'd have to check with the Washington State DMV for example.

The other alternative is to ship your own bike over. I've seen a group of BSA riders take advantage by shipping all their bikes in one container, and their UK insurance was good over here, so that package deal worked out well.

For my first trip to the USA, I got an International Driving Permit from the 'RAC' to go with my licence but never needed it in the end. I carry both parts of my licence (photocard and counterpart - why we have two parts when every other country can get by with one I'll never know) when traveling because the photocard bit on its own is NOT a drivers licence. You will need BOTH parts with you if you are riding abroad. As for buying/selling a bike, I would check out the State DMV web-site. They may have an email address you can contact.

Bike insurance in the states
 

The other alternative is to ship your own bike over. I've seen a group of BSA riders take advantage by shipping all their bikes in one container, and their UK insurance was good over here, so that package deal worked out well.[/QUOTE]

Hi Tigerboy, the last time me and my bike were in the US\Canada which was 2 years ago I had to buy US\Canadian insurance as I was told that my UK\Europe insurance was not valid, have things changed? I hope so as I will be entering the US and Canada again with my bike in about 6 weeks time and if they have that would mean that I could put more beer coupons to the use that they were intended. Ride safe,

It depends on the insurance company. The BSA group mentioned Carol Nash, which I presume is an insurance company that handles situations where you travel overseas.

I know most US insurance companies won't insure you outside of the US and Canada. For most people this means they have to make special arrangements when they drive into Mexico. Since the original message mentioned only travel from WA to LA, this isn't a concern, so I didn't mention it.

hi besides all the insurance stuff i`ve heard that if you take your own bike,say from uk, that you need a waiver off the EPA for temp import into US,is this right? if so where can said form be got from?