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Rules on long term bike storage in UK Rules on long term bike storage in UK
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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 23 Feb 2013
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As noted in the post above, the legal limit to keep a foreign registered bike in the UK is 6 months. I kept a bike with foreign plates longer than this without any problems.

In practical terms it is extremely difficult for the DVLA or local authorities to keep track of this as, assuming you arrive either via ferry or eurotunnel, there is no record of when your bike arrived.

Provided you have a green card and the vehicle is roadworthy you are unlikely to face any major issues if you are stopped. If you park it on the road I would keep it covered to minimise the risk that anyone notices it has been there for more than six months.

The other option is to take it over to France and leave it there for a while to keep under the six month limit.
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  #2  
Old 23 Feb 2013
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Last edited by Stray Dog; 17 Jan 2015 at 12:18.
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  #3  
Old 23 Feb 2013
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Forgot to mention you are welcome to keep your bike in my garage for the winter , if you need somewhere ... I am in the Midlands near M6 J3
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  #4  
Old 24 Feb 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stray Dog View Post
In theory, as already stated, 6 months on any one year is the limit for a foreign reg vehicle in the UK.
But if it's in storage and not being used then I cant see a problem.
I have had a French reg car in the UK for nearly 2 years, no one has said anything.
Apart from my wife, who says "When are you going to get rid of that piece of crap out the garden".......

Dog
And the reverse situation is prevalent, although I have heard of similar enforcement "ideas" by the French authorities concerning the keeping of foreign registered vehicles there; nevertheless, there are lots of UK registered cars etc based in France, with out of date RFL discs on the windscreen.
And to think that we are all part of a common market called the EU.

I would think that an AUS reg bike could easily be "lost" in Britain for years, never mind just one year, especially in any of the cities.
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  #5  
Old 27 Feb 2013
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Hiya

I think the six month in any twelve is some sort of EU ruling, so applies to EU vehicles only? But how they would enforce in reality is more relevant. The UK DVLA just sit by the roadside in Spain for instance pulling the ExPats in UK registered vehicles, but I would think can only do anything about no MOT or tax. Proving you havn't popped back into France for an hour two months ago is surely impossible?!

Stupid rules!!!
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  #6  
Old 28 Feb 2013
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Thanks so much for your responses and offer to store...reciprocated if you come to melbourne!
Seems like there isn't an issue to worry ablut

Geoff
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  #7  
Old 7 Dec 2014
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what about a south american registered bike?
hi all,

Thanks for your advices!

I am planning to croos with an argentinian registered bike, do you know if could storage the bike for 6 months or as it is not european I could not do it?

thanks all for your help!!!
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  #8  
Old 7 Dec 2014
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Storage is not a problem. What 'they' are trying to stop is people using a vehicle (as in day to day use, even week to week) that has been in use for longer than 6 months. So using the vehicle as a tourist for up to 6 months .. then putting it in storage (off street) until you come back is fine .. just don't say in the one spot using it too long (6+ months). Oh .. don't come back too soon .. legal probably 6 months minimum, practically within the memory of the local police.
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  #9  
Old 24 Feb 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Roach View Post
As noted in the post above, the legal limit to keep a foreign registered bike in the UK is 6 months. I kept a bike with foreign plates longer than this without any problems.

In practical terms it is extremely difficult for the DVLA or local authorities to keep track of this as, assuming you arrive either via ferry or eurotunnel, there is no record of when your bike arrived.

Provided you have a green card and the vehicle is roadworthy you are unlikely to face any major issues if you are stopped. If you park it on the road I would keep it covered to minimise the risk that anyone notices it has been there for more than six months.

The other option is to take it over to France and leave it there for a while to keep under the six month limit.
I think you'll find the same sort of restrictions in France as well.

But I agree that in practical terms it's unlikely to be a problem.
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