Yeah, I went straight to a pre-booked MOT when I got back to the UK in July 08 in my Toyota Landcruiser that hadn't been in the UK since Feb 07. I was aware that that was how to avoid getting busted for not having an MOT once on UK roads.

But I'd actually booked this MOT before re-entering the EU - does that mean I had a defence to any charge of not having proper UK documents under the laws of the member states I was driving through on the way back to the UK, then?

I thought I WAS committing this offence, and that it was just luck that had stopped me from getting busted under local laws as I passed through each of them.

DVLA (and your V5C) say if a vehicle is to be away for more than 12 months it is being "permanantly exported" and your V5C should have been returned to them and the registration cancelled when you left. With no valid registration in a country, a vehicle is not permitted to be used in other countries under the Geneva agreements.

How did you get round that? Or did you choose to purposely ignore this part of what DVLA try to tell us is the Law?

This all shows that no matter how hard one tries to follow the procedures (as opposed to the Law!), you cannot if you wish to take a longer trip. The DVLA are no help in adressing the problem and change their position regularly when challenged (read Alexlebrit on other threads).

The whole matter gets further complicated by the EU trying to behave as if it were a Country - which it is not. The agreements are between countries, not unions of countries.


Apologies to Bungawalbyn, as we are going off topic.

Tony - this has already been discussed - it's how you and I met!

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/europe/crossing-eu-no-mot-road-32649

Look forward to that drink. Let me know when you're free.

Rgds

Thanks for the info.

I think some of my trouble was that when contacting the insurance companies,I committed the cardinal sin of dealing with bureaucracies, namely, giving them too much unasked for information.Don't know what came over me, I'm old enough to know better than that!:rolleyes2:

ED

I think I can finally get a good nights sleep.

I've taken the advice I have recieved and completed an online quote form for a company that linked from Bike Trader. Used a bogus name and address for the moment but entered that I had an International License and was in the UK only 3 Mths and just wanted 3rd party. It gave me a quote and offer to purchase, so I guess it all worked. Cover included 3 mths Euro travel.
Cost about 216 pounds though. Seems a lot, but very reassuring after all the confusion around insurance for the novice.:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:
I guess now I'll pester all the companies for a better deal.
Thank you everyone that helped me sort out the UK system !!:thumbup1:

Welcome to rip off Britain. If your bike is over 500cc and you havn't five years UK insurance history, anything under £150 would be a miracle, so shop around but don't expect any serious saving.

Enjoy your trip

Andy

Which insurer is this?

Indu,
It was MCE Insurance.

Andy, thanks.

ED

I finally got around to actually getting the third party insurance. I first had to get the bike into my name.

I was lucky to find a seller that not only will let me use his address, he is also going to buy back the bike.

After submitting about 30 quote requests, I found an aparently quite good price from Footman James Insurance BP92. 85 with a pay site that actually works. The best thing though was that they accepted an International licence issued in Australia with no difficult residency questions. Give them a try if you are in the market.

25 days to go.:scooter:

Ed