Doubts on papers - a brazilian going for the Key West/Prudhoe Bay challenge

[AD-1512]

Hi!

Planning a trip in the US and Canada next August (Key West/Prudhoe Bay or vice versa), I intend to use my uncle's bike (he's US Citizen, has an BMW RT 1200 and I am brazilian).
What kind of papers should I bring with me, regarding the bike? Is there any special authorization from my uncle to allow me riding the bike in the US, enter Canada, Alaska and go back to the US? Any special insurance?
All tips and advices are welcome!
Thanks in advance!


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[bobkat]

Carry your passport at all times. The bike must be paid off and have a valid registration. Get a notarized letter from your uncle giving you, by name, permission to ride the bike and it should include all contact information to get hold of him in case of need. This might require a lawyer. Keep that with the registration. Have your uncle add you to his insurance as an additional driver for the bike. Carry the insurance papers with the registration. All but your passport can stay on the bike in a secure place. That should get you through any North American borders. (But, as always in international travel, much depends on the attitude of the guy at the border!)

[mollydog]

Seriously doubt you'll have any trouble getting you and your Uncle's bike into
Canada .... as long as you have current, valid registration and PROOF OF INSURANCE.

I believe either he can add you on to his policy ... or you may be able to get your own insurance for the bike. Either will work, AFAIK.

A Notarized note is not a bad idea ... no Lawyer required ... just a Notary Public
(most banks have a Notary on staff). Type up the permiso, have Uncle and you sign it, list all bike details. Notary to stamp it and sign. About $10. All good.

I would also carry the original Title ... just for luck. Keep it well protected, you will most likely never have to show it as vehicle registration is all you legally need. If you go to Mexico ... you would need the title.

Good luck!

[backofbeyond]

I have a bike in the US that's registered in an American friend's name with me named on the insurance. Last month we toured eastern Canada with said friend on another bike and at both border crossings I was asked who owns the bike. It was easy to say "he does", pointing at my friend and that was as far as it went, but I know they'd have wanted to see more paperwork if we'd been on our own.

Both times they picked up very quickly that we were UK tourists riding a US registered bike. My advice would be to get the notarised permission that Bobkat and Mollydog mention - especially if it only costs a few dollars.

[Scrabblebiker]

When it comes to borders it's always best to have all your t's crossed and i's dotted. Canada and the USA is no exception. Definitely get the notarized letter of authorization from the registered owner. You're driving a vehicle which is not in your name and there is no way for the border officials to know that you didn't steal the bike. You may never be asked for it but there have been news reports of people being challenged at both borders. It should otherwise not be a problem to cross into Canada and back as long as the bike is properly registered, plated and insured in the US. Border officials are by and large professional and reasonable but they do have wide ranging discretion in making their decisions regarding entry of non-citizens. You'll be crossing at least 4 borders, so the less reasons you give them to be suspicious the better

...Michelle

[Scrabblebiker]

I came across this site. I don't really know who they are but they do offer some good advice.


Driving a Borrowed Vehicle – ezbordercrossing.com

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by backofbeyond

I have a bike in the US that's registered in an American friend's name with me named on the insurance. Last month we toured eastern Canada with said friend on another bike and at both border crossings I was asked who owns the bike. It was easy to say "he does", pointing at my friend and that was as far as it went, but I know they'd have wanted to see more paperwork if we'd been on our own.

Both times they picked up very quickly that we were UK tourists riding a US registered bike. My advice would be to get the notarised permission that Bobkat and Mollydog mention - especially if it only costs a few dollars.

Depending on which state, you can have your friend add your name to the Title. Free or low cost to do this in most states.

Now you have equal ownership of the bike and with this new title, either of you can cross any border. Once your name is on the title, the registration will have your name on there as well.