Can I Take Two Vehicles into a Country
 

Will be travelling solo with a Van carrying a Motorcycle. I will have a Carnet for each vehicle, am I permitted to take two vehicles into a country ?

Any advice greatly appreciated, thanks.

I have seen loads of overland reports with people with bikes on the back of the vehicle, although I think they were offroad bikes and listed on the main vehicles carnet.
I have also seen several reports regarding bike tours where people have crossed borders with a 4x4 with the bikes either on the back or on a trailer so I cant see how you would have any problems.

I read on a travel site that 'each person may only take one vehicle into a country'.

The RAC say its ok with two carnets so I am a little confused.

Within the EU there is no problem as it is effectively all one country, within a single Customs Union.

The roads of Spain, France and Italy at this time of the year are full of vehicles with bikes/scooters/etc strapped to their back or roof - but they come from other EU states.

Beyond the EU it is probably a different matter and the local Customs will be looking at a 'cargo' vehicle in a diffrent light to a self driven visiting or tourist vehicle.

Take the plate off the bike and put the bike on the vehicle carnet with its chassis number, tell them its not road registered. I did it for a trip to India in '93,
you will save yourself a fortune, carnets are not cheap

Graeme

Where are you planning on going?

If its any help, I did come across someone who had got in and out of first Iran, then Pakistan and after that India with a truck containing a quad bike. He had a separate carnet for each vehicle. He didn't get any hassle for having 2 vehicles.

Planning a world tour. Seems very few people have traveled solo with two vehicles.
I would prefer to keep the motorcycle road legal as I plan to store the van (camper) and use only the motorcycle on occasions.

Thanks again for your responses.

Hello,

What you are planning to do has been in the back of my mind for the past 20 years or so. It is one way to get the best of both world.
Let us know further details and plan.
Good luck and have a safe trip.
Luc

I took a team with 2 landcruisers regisatered in my name down as far as the Gambia with no problems. don't really see it being an issue provided you have all the documentation for both vehicles.

Hi, we just met a Swiss couple in a Land Rover with a motorbike on the back. They said they had serious dramas getting into Senegal (suprise, suprise), as both vehicles were in the same name and customs said this was illegal (only allowed to import one vehicle). A lot of time and bribes later, they eventually got it in though. If you have a travel buddy, maybe register in their name?

Mark and Allison

senegal was the one we were dreading, but it took less than an hour with 2 vehicles in my name and no carnet (got a a laisez passer) met another guy who had been stuck a week after being turned round by the police.

on the other hand we couldn't get off gibraltar because of all the new school books we had on board. did the border next morning, no problem.

I think a lot depends on who the guy is on the border, wether he had a row with the missus that morning and wether he thinks he can extract some money from you.

Hi,

If you are planig on traveling through africa i dont think you will have a problem exept may be in senegal. In all the other countrys people have even been tu stupid to realize that my carned has been expired one year ago when i entered the countrys...just have a good story to tell without a moment to think about it then it will work.

Travel save, Tobi

2 vehicles in one name
 

well in Egypt it is certainly not allowed! And if the vehicle/carnet is in somebody elses name that persons needs to be at the border as well. Alas from painfull first hand experience. Egypt also has a much higher bank guarantee requirement than other African countries.

cheers,
Noel

Well yes Ägypt, Sudan and Senegal could be a problem but in real africa its not...