Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaplaje (Post 256302)

Hi, Im Roberto, Im Chilean

1st, you don't need a carnet for Chile or Argentina or any other country in America.

2nd, If you will buy the bike in Iquique, you will have some problems... because Iquique is like a DutyFree port or something like that, the prices are cheapper, but with the vehicles there are special laws. If you buy a vehicle in Iquique, it must stay there, in the region, because they don't let you have a "zona franca" vehicle outside the "zona franca". the only people that can do that are the people who lived in Iquique for at least 5 years. Other people can buy vehicles too but the have to return to Iquique every 3 or 4 month (I don't rember exactly) to check with the autorities that the vehicle is staying in the zone. Not even we who live in Santiago can buy vehicles in Iquique.

the prices of the bikes in Iquique are lower, like a 20% lower, but there not to many bikes to buy. here in Santiago you will find a better "catalog". for example, a DR650 1996 you can find it for like US$3000.

The registration procces is very fast. you need to go to a "registro civil" with the owner and make a "contract". you can do this directly on the registro civil (some minutes slower, but cheaper, and you get the first papers to your name inmediatly) or you can do it on a "Notaria" (more expensive, and you will get your papers later). IF you do this paperwork on a big Registro civil office, some times they give you all the papers done at the same moment, if is a small office, they send it to your place of stay, and takes like 2 weeks.

the final paper, that says that you are the owner is the "padrón"

to do all this paperwork fast and with no problems, the bike must to have some papers on rule:

-obligatory insurance
-permit of circulation
-technic revision

all this has to be on rule, not necesarly on your name, only the "padrón" is in your name

all the process, will cost like 50-100 bucks if the bikes is relatively cheap

just come down here and I can help you, is relativelly easy and fast! I will glad to help you, Im a adventure biker too

cheers!!!:scooter:

pd. sorry for my stinky english!!!

:welcome:

Roberto's information above is quite accurate.

Getting the bike registered is unfortunately a two-step process, which involves: a) The REGISTRO CIVIL, an office run by the central government, where you obtain the necessary paperwork (and the license tag in case of a new bike), which allows you to get the "permiso de circulación" (registration) at the: 2) local Municipality (Municipalidad) or City Hall. The latter will issue your registration, which is the slip of paper that allows you to ride your bike on pubic roads. You can also purchase obligatory (compulsory) insurance at these offices for about US$50/year. Insurance can also be obtained on-line from various companies, but you must have a valid license tag to do so. NOTE: riding without insurance can lead to your bike being impounded on the spot plus a heavy fine.

"Technical revision" (technical inspection) -equivalent of the German TÜV- is a must for every motor vehicle in Chile. This certificate is usually the responsibility of the seller, and you should demand he/she presents you with a valid (current) Revision Técnica when you buy the bike. New vehicles usually come with a Certificado de Homologación, which waives the revision Técnica for usually 3 or more years.

The title transfer paperwork can also be done at a "Notaría" (Notary Public), which is an infuriating remnant of Spanish 16th Century Colonial rule. The process may be slightly quicker but they will shake you down for a few additional thousand pesos plus the meaningless stack of papers you must collect. I personally avoid Notarías whenever possible.

An additional note of caution is to make sure your bike has no pending fines or liens, for which you need a "certificado de anotación vigente" or CAV. You can obtain this online from various government websites for a token fee. Do a search on google.cl on the document name.

The whole process sounds more intimidating than what it actually is, although it can be nightmarish compared to what it takes in the US. The upside is that when you are done you will be fairly certain your vehicle has a clear record and is certified for use on public roads.

Dont hesitate to contact me for further info and hints to navigate the increadibly beutiful Chilean roads and its irritating bureaucracy.

Best,

Frank Campbell

drmoto@vtr.net