Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - SideCar Paperwork Question

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SideCar Paperwork Question

If it is legal in country of origin it is legal here, more or less. We are banned from having RH sidecars since 1981 but if it is foreign registered you shouldn't have a problem.
It is easier, no carnet needed in Europe at all, where you do need one is listed in trip paperwork, just beware of a problem with shipping into Bremmerhaven, Germany, best avoided but no problem with shipping to the UK. There is a role on role off service from North America for the vehicle only which you might find useful, if not a shared container, Wilhelmsen wallenius operate it to Southampton.
You might have to look to Germany or another country for your green card insurance, UK insurers seem reluctant to insure foreign vehicles, again the answer is here somewhere.

Thanks Mark!

>"If it is legal in country of origin it is legal here, more or less."
...S'what I figured. Trying to get an "authoritative" answer is about as hard as finding hen's teeth, though.

>"We are banned from having RH sidecars since 1981..."
...I saw that, and although I understand that it applies to UK Citizens & legal residents, I just didn't see anything (else) that applied to Non-UK Citizens.

Not planning to ship to Germany - especially not Bremerhaven. Planning on starting out in Turkey.

>:...no carnet needed in Europe..."
Yep! But on the off-chance that I'll extend my time away from home.... (turn left, head south)

<grin>

Sidecars and World Travel

Hi,

Sorry, I am not aware of the thread you are looking for but I'll try to answer your questions in quote context below...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old(er)Phart (Post 477609)

I'm 99% sure that the answer is here somewhere (at least....I thought I saw it :confused1: )

Perhaps some kind soul would point it out to me!

I'm currently in the process of planning a European Motorcycle trip - planned for next year (2015) - that includes touring the UK &
Ireland, in July & August & September.

I'll be traveling on a motorcycle equipped with a sidecar on the right (throttle) side.....USA Registered.

My questions are:
1. Are there any restrictions on operating a motorcycle equipped with a sidecar on the right (throttle) side in the UK for the time planned?

No problem as far as regulations for a US registered bike. But I put a small red left arrow on my left mirror to remind me to stay on the left. ESPECIALLY when leaving a gas station or hotel and there is no other traffic.

2. If there are restriction(s), can I apply for a waiver of them?
2a. If so, How?

Please note that I will be traveling with a Carnet de Passage, and will NOT be leaving the vehicle behind when I depart.

No need for a carnet in the EU but you will need a green card insurance policy. I get mine over the internet from Italy (Mototouring.com). You might also get a German ADAC roadside assistance policy for the EU. They also have European medical insurance for US citizens.

The same basic premise/question also raises it's head when I think of possibly doing the same kind of trip to Australia and/or New Zealand.

Now you have a problem. I have a disabled permit so my rightside sidecar is okay as a handicap adaptation in Australia. I know of a guy from Switzerland with a rightside hack who got in to AU after a long week of fighting with officals He got approval only because they did not announce the restriction before he entered the country. He was lucky. Also the carnet is mandatoryin AU. I get mine from the Canadian AAA but it is good only for one year.

Is the Carnet sufficient?

Can it REALLY be just that easy?

I have an Oregon licensed hack and have ridden the UK, Ireland most of the EU, Africa and NZ with little problem. Same with a different US licensed hack in Central and South America. No problem as long as you are not in a hurry.

Thanx in advance for any advice!

I'll be presenting Around the World On Three Wheels at the California HU Meeting in a few weeks. Ride down and we can talk. Especially about shipping sidecar outfits.

Ride Well,
Coach

Coach,
Thanx for the information/update.

I really don't like the idea of having to $pend the buck$ to make it a left-$ide hack for Australia.

Not to mention re-learning how to ride it. Damn!

I'm trying to get time off so I can attend the HU meeting.....but I'm not at all sure I can make it.

I'll certainly TRY though!

I would try and find the international legal position on a temporarily imported RH sidecar, I met a British couple in Chile who had been denied entry with their RHD Land Rover but found out that an international agreement with most or all countries permitted temporary imports and Chilean customs accepted that when shown the relevant document. I am not sure where to start looking into this but your carnet issuer might be a good place.

I have definatley seen EU platted sidecar outfits on the uk roads, so it is possisble. cant see US being different? you could also try emailing the dvla here in uk to seek advice they may be able to help clear things up or point you in the right direction for info? worth a try.

.
sent via tapatalk on the road.

Thanks for the responses folks!

Well.....emailing the DVLA is a good idea I'd considered earlier, with no response (hear the crickets chirping in the background?).

I'll have to track down the email + snail-mail addresses I've parked away somewhere.

I've been searching all over & so far I've come up empty with actual "Official" statements - - - HOWEVER, it looks like:
A. UK = Sidecar on the right side? = It's okay as long as it's legal in your home country
B. New Zealand = Same
C. South Africa = Same
D. Japan = Same
E. Hong Kong = Didn't bother checking...not planning on riding there.
F. Australia = Coach (above) says it's not legal. Gotta find the Oz equivalent of DLVA.

Note: This is for a two-year old (2012) bike. All of the "Official" references I've seen are for bikes manufactured a while (15+ years) ago.

Not applicable here.

NOT planning to formally import the bike anywhere - just passin' through, thank you.

....So THAT's not applicable here, either.....<grin>

- Charlie

I would also contact a motoring organisation such as the one you plan to get your carnet from, they are more likely to know international law than the DVLA who might just quote the rules for UK registered vehicles and permanent importations, temporarily imported bikes are not their business.

Hah! Got it!

Original Question:
>Is the Carnet sufficient?
>Can it REALLY be just that easy?
The short-n-sweet answer is: Yes! It REALLY is just that easy!.

I got this response from the South Australia DPTI:Vehicle Standards folks:

Quote

In respect to travelling in South Australia with a right hand side sidecar the
following is advised.

A vehicle registered in SA is not currently allowed to have a sidecar on the right
hand side, but as you are travelling on overseas registration and a Carnet de
Passage there would be no restriction on you in South Australia.
Hope this helps and if you have any other questions please let me know.

David Gunner
CoOrdinator Vehicle Standards
Dept Planning, Transport & Infrastructure
Regency Park
South Australia

End Quote

My original question to him was:

Sirs,
I'm currently in the process of planning an Australian Motorcycle trip - planned for
2017 or 2017 - that right now - spans the months of August through October.
I'll be traveling on a motorcycle equipped with a sidecar on the right (throttle) side.
My questions are:
1. Are there any restrictions on operating a a motorcycle equipped with a sidecar on
the right (throttle) side for the three months planned?
2. If there are restriction(s), can I apply for a waiver of them?
Please note that I will be traveling with a Carnet de Passage, and will NOT be
leaving the vehicle behind when I depart Australia.