Long Distance Motorcycle Travel Checklist

Services	Done	
Arrange storage of personal effects with relatives, friends or storage company. Have a boot sale / garage sale to winnow out non-essentials, especially if you have to pay for storage.		
Confirm removal date with movers		
Advise Electricity Company with a final meter reading		
Advise Gas Company with a final meter reading		
Advise Water Company (if metered, a reading will suffice)		
Advise Telephone Company (BT require 7 days notice)		
Advise cable or satellite TV suppliers		
Advise TV Licensing authority and claim your refund for any unexpired quarter		
Cancel TV rental agreement and arrange collection of set		
Cancel milkman/ newsagent/ window cleaner/ house cleaners		
Cancel any subscriptions		
Pick up dry cleaning		
Return video rentals, library books etc		
LOCAL Authority		
Advise your local authority and claim your council tax refund		
Retain your right to vote in the UK. Complete Overseas Electors declaration form RPF37, obtainable from the Local Authority.		
MOTOR Vehicle		
Advise the DVLA and claim unexpired car tax if you sell your car. Complete form V14, obtainable from the Post Office, and forward with your tax disc		
Advise automobile associations and renew your international driving licence (valid for one year)		
Arrange ‘carnet de passage’ for the bike – check with your local automobile association regarding countries which require the carnet and procedures to obtain.		
Prepare the bike for travel		
Insurance		
Advise your insurance broker and/or insurers		
Cancel motor insurance, household buildings & contents policies		
Request a refund for any unexpired periods		
Request No-Claims evidence to present to future insurers		
Arrange extended medical insurance to cover your region of travel – check that motorcycling is not an excluded sport or extra cost		
Ensure your annual life insurance premiums and personal pension premiums continue to be met		
Finance		
Advise your bank and/or building society re power of attorney / signing authority of relative or trusted friend		
Provide credit card companies with a mailing address in your home country.  DO NOT tell them you are going to bug off around the world, they’re likely to cancel your credit cards!		
Cancel standing orders and direct debits for services to be discontinued		
Arrange direct debits for credit cards and any continuing services, loan or mortgage payments		
Sign up for Internet banking so you can monitor your accounts while travelling. Also Internet brokerage service for the same reason.		
Arrange periodic funds transfers to an account with ATM access from abroad		
Advise Post Office e.g. savings accounts		
Advise Bonds And Stock Office e.g. Premium Bonds		
Settle any outstanding rental or finance agreements		
Locate stocks, shares and bond certificates		
Arrange settlement of all utilities / services accounts		
HOUSE (if owner)		
Arrange rental / house-sitting service or sale		
LANDLORD (rental accommodation)		
Give required notice to quit		
Organise garage sale / boot sale		
DSS		
Advise your local benefit office and arrange for payment of your state pension overseas		
Discuss any other benefit entitlement applicable		
TAX		
Advise the Inland Revenue and/or your accountant		
Complete a P85 Income Tax Form "for those leaving the United Kingdom" and forward to the Inland Revenue with your P45		
Check your inheritance & capital gains tax position if retaining assets in the UK		
LEGAL		
Advise your solicitor		
Update your Will if retaining property in the UK and ensure that any new Will overseas does not revoke an existing UK Will		
Appoint a Power of Attorney in the UK to deal with any ongoing legal or tax issues		
EMPLOYER		
Obtain your references, P45 (details of employee leaving work) and certificate of any company pension entitlement.		
COMPUTER		
Back up files prior to packing		
BIRTH / MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES		
Locate birth, marriage, adoption certificates. Copies are available by post from The General Register Office or in person from the Family Records Centre listed in the Services Directory		
MAIL REDIRECTION		
Instruct the Post Office to redirect your mail. Pick up the appropriate form from your local counter		
Use a mailbox service with redirection or holding of mail		
MEDICAL		
Advise your doctor		
Arrange vaccinations a few months in advance so you don’t have to get them all at once.  Get Vaccination Certificate		
Arrange malaria prophylaxis to be available 2 weeks before entering malarious areas		
Obtain medical certificates/ records and any prescriptions required		
Advise your dentist		
Advise your optician.  Get a copy of your glasses or contact lens prescription in case you need to get it refilled.		
Advise your chiropractor		
Advise your osteopath		
Advise your vet		
SCHOOLS / CLUBS / SOCIETIES		
Advise any clubs or societies to which you belong		
FINALISE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS		
Check the validity of passports, visas, consular documents. Renew your passport if it will be expiring within a year.  Many countries will not issue visas unless the passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the visa.		
Check the validity of residence/ work permits, import permits		
Check health requirements at destination		
Order foreign currency		
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES		
Change of address cards		
Imminent birthdays, anniversaries		
Obtain e-mail addresses