Registering a bike in USA as non resident

[Natasza]

Hi all!
My name is Natasza and I am Polish. I used to be the youngest Polish who sailed solo around the world on a yacht, and now I plan to become the oldest Polish to ride the world on a moto.
I consider buing a bike in USA (east side, but open to discussion) and start my travels towards Urugway.
How to go about the registration into my name. I read a lot about it and still no clear answear. I know different states ask different things, but seems impossible to contact DMV in few states I tried. Also. I gather I don't need to register it in the state I buy it in and somehow I can do it over a phone having an posting address? Anyone of you have done it? How come some of you rides on a name of the previous owner? What consequenses that has on the borders. Can you sell it after the trip? How did you guys insured the bikes not having US driving licence...anyone ?
I would like to start in this coming spring...if any of you know of a good bike in USA durable for the yourney from a good source please let me know
Also, when will start - anyone can join! if you around so I invite you to contact me on www.nataszacaban.pl
Have a great 2023!
nat

[Grant Johnson]

Hi Nat, welcome to HU!
Your question is a difficult one, as there are 50 states and 50 sets of rules! I'd suggest picking one or two and research here for the rules and see what they are.
I'm also moving your post to the Paperwork Forum, as that's the appropriate place for well, paperwork!
Don't forget to Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools above) to get instant emails when there is a reply to your post.

[markharf]

Natasza, I'd have a look at this thread: https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...nals-can-58648. There is another one about buying insurance in the US, but this changes frequently so I'd suggest asking in a separate post once the time gets closer: https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...-bike-us-93901.

When researching individual US states, do it online instead of phoning or emailing them, partly because some of their workers give incorrect answers. All the information you need is on their websites (Google "Texas Department of Motor Vehicles," or "Register vehicle in Florida," or the search terms of your choice). You want to read what they say about requirements for registering a vehicle--car, motorbike, truck, with particular attention to whether you need to prove you are a resident of that state, and if so how you do that. In a state which requires residency, neither you as a Polish national nor I as a US citizen from a different state will qualify.

Remember that some states charge sales tax on whatever they think the purchase price should be--my state, Washington, allows you to buy and register a vehicle, but they do charge from 7 to 10% sales tax. The state of Oregon right next door has no sales tax, but AFAIK they won't let a foreign national register a vehicle.

Best to ask questions when you have a specific question about a specific state, because you're likely to get a valid answer instead of vague generalities. Always confirm what you hear by doing your own research! And don't get discouraged--this is the sort of thing which seems ridiculously complicated before your trip, but which you forget all about once you're on the road.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

[Natasza]

Hello Mark Harf,
Thank you so much for the info!
I am flexible as to which state I will buy the bike and start from - all depends where I can register it or/if I would need to be present with the machine there, ect.
Knowing which state allowes me to do so or which takes taxes which doesnt - would help me to make a wise decicion finding the best option. I was hoping someone on here would have list of such or done the registration as non resident not long ago - therefore the info would be fresh

[cyclopathic]

Originally Posted by Natasza

Hi all!

My name is Natasza and I am Polish. I used to be the youngest Polish who sailed solo around the world on a yacht, and now I plan to become the oldest Polish to ride the world on a moto.

I consider buing a bike in USA (east side, but open to discussion) and start my travels towards Urugway.

How to go about the registration into my name. I read a lot about it and still no clear answear. I know different states ask different things, but seems impossible to contact DMV in few states I tried. Also. I gather I don't need to register it in the state I buy it in and somehow I can do it over a phone having an posting address? Anyone of you have done it? How come some of you rides on a name of the previous owner? What consequenses that has on the borders. Can you sell it after the trip? How did you guys insured the bikes not having US driving licence...anyone ?

I would like to start in this coming spring...if any of you know of a good bike in USA durable for the yourney from a good source please let me know

Also, when will start - anyone can join! if you around so I invite you to contact me on www.nataszacaban.pl

Have a great 2023!

nat

US laws are very state dependent to the same if not higher degree than laws in different EU countries so it can be easy in one state and impossible in other. The Canadians, German and Dane I talked to had their bikes/cars registered in Arizona and it is an easy option.

When I was there in September trying to get temporary 90-day tag they were giving me hard time trying to hoax me into registering bike permanently (and paying sales tax!) Took several phone calls and signed waver to get temporary tag permanent registration would have been straightforward.

[Natasza]

Thank you. I will check Arizona as well. I admitt websites of the DMV are increadiable difficult to undestand I am trying to find a state where there is no tax and i no need to be there present....uffffff

[Natasza]

Hello again, do you remmeber by chance if your Canadian, Danish, and German Friends needed a security number?

[cyclopathic]

Originally Posted by Natasza

Hello again, do you remmeber by chance if your Canadian, Danish, and German Friends needed a security number?

I haven't asked but I don't remember them asking me for one in September.

If you're fluent in English call their hotline. It's a long affair but when you call via Viber callout it's only $0.01-0.02/min.

[Natasza]

tried, no luck but hey!!! look what I received from a lovely biker lady!:

https://www.visitor.us/resources/how-to-register-a-vehicle-in-the-united-states-as-a-non-us-resident

I am posting it as this might help others as well!!!!

[cyclopathic]

Originally Posted by Natasza

tried, no luck but hey!!! look what I received from a lovely biker lady!:

https://www.visitor.us/resources/how-to-register-a-vehicle-in-the-united-states-as-a-non-us-resident

I am posting it as this might help others as well!!!!

Just called Arizona DMV at (602)255-0072 and they said that you need ID or driver license (in US driver license is ID as most people don't have a passport). He wasn't sure if your polish driver license would do but passport with valid visa definitely will. No social security number is needed.

[markharf]

Arizona has always been one of the easier states, but the link Natasza gives states that an Arizona drivers license is needed to register a vehicle there. Your phone call suggests that a passport would do. I'm jus noting the contradictory information.

In the state of Arizona there used to be emissions testing in certain counties, not in others. That's worth taking into consideration, too.

The website does collect a lot of information in an easy-to-use format. However, stuff changes and one source of information doesn't necessarily agree with another. It would be helpful if the state by state listings included phone numbers and web addresses for the various states.

[Grant Johnson]

As ALWAYS when travelling - and lots of other times too - the "official" line on an "official website" or phone call to the "office" or whatever means nothing until you actually are face to face with someone. ESPECIALLY at border crossings of course, but this comes to mind here...
I think IF you could do it all in advance online, wonderful, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
So I'd start with that, and if no joy, go by the official information in the link above, see what seems reasonable and doable, and then have a nearby state (or 3) as backup with all the information for both/all ready to go printed off in my hot little hand. And be prepared for plan B. Not to be negative, but well-prepared means no drama - not prepared is asking for trouble.
At worst you rent a truck, load the bike and drive to a nearby, better state.

[shu...]

Hi nat...

I'm going to send you over to AdvRider on this one. I hope Im not breaking too many rules!

There is a guy over there named James Tucker (goes by TUCKERS) who used to acquire, outfit, and register motos for foreign travelers. I don't know if he still does this or not, but he is still active on the site and his signature line reads:

California DMV work/insurance/California registration/California titles/California address use. International Travelers taken care of. I can get it done. FEE BASED (see Vendors)

I ran across him frequently because I own DR 650s and he often outfitted people with them. Since I know the bike well, I could see that he knew the bike well and he was competent assessing them and working on them. As I recall, most of those he dealt with were complimentary about him and his services.

I don't know him personally and can't vouch for him, but I would bet at the very least he would be able to answer many of your questions.

DR 650 , by the way, makes an excellent travel bike! Suzuki is still selling them new in the US and they are widely available used for reasonable prices. Mine, in Mexico a few years back...



.............shu

[Grant Johnson]

Note that visitor.us will DO IT ALL FOR YOU, including buying the vehicle if you want:
https://www.visitor.us/

[cyclopathic]

Originally Posted by markharf

Arizona has always been one of the easier states, but the link Natasza gives states that an Arizona drivers license is needed to register a vehicle there. Your phone call suggests that a passport would do. I'm jus noting the contradictory information.

In the state of Arizona there used to be emissions testing in certain counties, not in others. That's worth taking into consideration, too.

The website does collect a lot of information in an easy-to-use format. However, stuff changes and one source of information doesn't necessarily agree with another. It would be helpful if the state by state listings included phone numbers and web addresses for the various states.

In US motorcycles are not subject to emissions and the information above is from Arizona DMV (department of motor vehicles), the very authority which is in charge of titling and tagging vehicles in Arizona.

I had gotten AZ tag in September and I don't have Arizona driver license so I can personally confirm that AZ license isn't necessary.