When it comes to motorcycle travel, paperwork is by far the biggest headache. Imports, bureaucracy, acronyms, visas, insurance… it can quickly get confusing. This motorcycle travel paperwork guide will help explain away the most common documents and paperwork you’ll run into on a round the world motorcycle trip.
Contents
Motorcycle Travel Paperwork
By Andy Davidson
Mad or Nomad - RTW motorcycle travellers
Paperwork is one of the most annoying aspects of motorcycle travel. It’s confusing because every country has their own rules and regulations and you’ve got to abide by them in order to get yourself and your motorcycle in and be legal so that you can get out again without a fine.
We’re often asked how we go about the paperwork requirements for all the new countries we visit as there’s so much to consider and the terminology can be overwhelming. Each country is different so you will need to check their requirements, but the types of documents asked for are usually similar.
So, we pulled this guide together to explain the terms. It’s by no means exhaustive, but it covers the most commonly used documents you’ll run into when crossing borders on a round the world motorcycle trip.
We’ve split this guide up into two main sections: customs (paperwork for your motorcycle) and immigration (paperwork for you).
Customs
Motorcycle Paperwork
To legally take a foreign registered motorcycle into a country, you will need meet that country’s Customs requirements. Each country has its own rules and regulations and you must abide by them to successfully and legally get your motorcycle in and out. These requirements are set out by that country’s Customs office.
A Customs office is usually located at the border of that country, or at the shipping depo if you are flying or shipping your motorcycle in.
To pass Customs, you will need:
- To temporarily import your vehicle (using either a Carnet or Temporary Import Permit – more on that below).
- For some countries you will also need to purchase motorcycle insurance that allows you to ride in that country (usually at the border or sometimes online).
- Your vehicle registration document to prove the motorcycle is registered in your name.
- Title or deeds. If your country supplies you with this, then you will need it. For example, motorcycle owners in the UK are only issued with a V5 Registration document, so no title or deed is required.
- A driving licence and sometimes an International Driver’s Permit (IDP).
- Other paperwork – rarely, some countries may require additional paperwork. For example, in Malaysia you will also need to purchase an International Circulation Permit. You can find more info on other requirements in our Destinations section, but in general the above are the only documents you’ll need to get your motorcycle in.
What’s the difference between a Carnet de Passage and a Temporary Import Permit?
To get your motorcycle into a foreign country you will need to temporarily import it using either a Carnet de Passage (CDP) or Temporary Import Permit (TIP).
These are both documents that permit you to take your motorcycle into that country for a specified amount of time before it must then leave again. They’re exceptionally important documents.
You must apply for a Carnet from a company that issues them (usually in your home country but not necessarily). The Carnet will state the countries on it that it is valid for. This must be done and obtained in advance before travelling to the country you want to enter. Once you have your Carnet, you can then present it at the border of the country you want to enter. Customs will then stamp your Carnet, tell you how long you can stay and that acts as your Temporary Import. When you leave the country you will have your Carnet stamped out to prove your motorcycle has exited the country.
A Temporary Import Permit, however, is entirely arranged at the border on the day you want to enter. You do not need to do anything in advance. Just turn up with the required documents to pass Customs and if successful you will be issued a TIP, which will state when you entered and when you must leave by.
Whichever one you use, getting stamped into the country is always arranged at the border to the country you’re trying to get into by Customs and you will be stamped out at the border you exit from.
Whether you need to use a CDP or TIP will depend on what the Customs rules are for entering that specific country. The CDP is required in a lot of countries throughout Africa, Australia and some countries in Asia and Southeast Asia such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia etc. But most countries do not require a CDP and use the TIP process. You do need to be careful though and thoroughly research requirements. For example, you can actually enter Malaysia without a Carnet and just get a TIP at the border, but if you want to ship your motorcycle out of the country, they will need you to have entered with a CDP.
To find out a country’s Customs requirements, check out our Destinations page, click the country you want to visit and then read the Motorcycle Travel Guide for it. Alternatively, if we don’t have a guide on that country you can check iOverlander, ask in motorcycle travel Facebook groups for that country, ask us, or research online.
Carnet de Passage
The Carnet de Passage en Douane (commonly known as Carnet or CDP) is an internationally-recognised customs document, which allows you to temporarily import your vehicle into a country without having to leave a cash deposit at the border.
The reason it allows you to do that is because you would have already left that cash deposit or an insurance premium with the company that issued you the Carnet.
The Carnet then acts as an international guarantee to the country you’re entering, promising that your Carnet’s issuer will cover any taxes or duties owed if you don’t export your vehicle (using the money you left with them originally in exchange for the document).
We have a full guide explaining the CDP, which countries require it, where to get it from, how long they last, the cost and FAQs in this guide below.
READ MORE: What is the Carnet de Passage?
Temporary Import Permit
The Temporary Import Permit (TIP) is another way of taking your motorcycle into a foreign country. It is the more commonly used method for most of the world and is used more often than the Carnet. For example, you do not need a CDP for the entirety of the Americas – from the USA to Argentina you will only use TIPs. The same goes for Europe and riding from the UK to Japan along the northern route (through Central Asia) – only TIPs.
TIPs are usually issued to be valid for the same duration as your visa. If you get a 30 day visa, you will get a 30-day TIP. But that’s not always the case, there are some rare cases where countries offer long TIPs, for example Argentina will give Brits a 90-day visa free-entry and an 8-month TIP.
The point of the TIP is to state when your motorcycle entered and what date it must leave by. If not, you will pay a fine when exiting or worse – have your motorcycle confiscated. You don’t leave a cash deposit at the border to get a TIP, and they don’t usually cost anything, but if they do, it tends to be small money around the £20/ $25 mark.
Temporary import and Carnet extensions
Whether you’re using a CDP or TIP to enter, they both eventually expire. Entering with a CDP more often than not means you can stay in the country for longer (it depends on the country and you will be told how long you can stay when you enter). Regardless, you can usually extend this time by visiting a Customs office in that country and applying for an extension for a small fee. You can also contact your Carnet supplier to extend your Carnet – even while on the road. You will need to send the original back to them. Contact your CDP supplier well in advance to ask what their procedures are as every supplier is different.
TIPs are usually extended up to the validity date of your visa. So, you may need to extend your visa first. There are limits as to how many times you can extend and some countries won’t allow you to extend at all. And if you can’t extend, check if there is the option for you to exit the country and get a new TIP upon re-entry as is commonly the case.
Third-party motorcycle insurance
When entering a new country, you will sometimes be asked to purchase mandatory motorcycle insurance. This insurance won’t cover your bike in case of theft – it only covers third-parties.
Travellers often get confused with motorcycle insurance. For example, your UK motorcycle insurance might cover you in Europe, or your USA insurance might cover you in Canada. But what happens when you venture further afield? Your home policies will not cover your motorcycle in those countries. Instead, you may need to purchase insurance from the country you want to ride in. For example, you are taking your UK/US/Canadian/Australian motorcycle to Thailand – then you will need to contact a Thai insurance company and buy a policy. Or you’re entering Mongolia or Nicaragua, then you will find a little insurance office at the border where you can buy it. In our Destinations pages you will find Motorcycle Travel Guides with paperwork requirements and where and how to buy insurance for each country.
Note that not all countries require you to purchase insurance. There may not even be any mention of it at the border. However, plenty of travellers get stung by not buying it and then getting pulled over a little way down the road and fined for not having it. If there is an option to purchase it, it’s worth it (even though sometimes the insurance isn’t actually worth the paper it’s written on).
There are usually insurance offices by the borders and Customs offices. Some countries are very strict on insurance like Japan, South Korea, the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc. where you will need to show that you have insurance before you can ride in the country and will need to purchase it in advance.
Every country is different, you may not need insurance in Indonesia but will in Thailand and Malaysia for example. Check the requirements for each country before travel.
And remember, this insurance you buy at borders (often around £20/ $25 as well) is unlikely to be comprehensive enough to cover you if you have an accident, any personal injury, theft or damage to your bike. It usually only covers third-parties.
Motorcycle insurance
We always get asked what insurance company we use to insure our motorcycles to ride round-the-world. The answer is we don’t. There are no companies we know off that will insure your motorcycle for a round-the-world trip. Well, maybe there are some specialist firms, but the price would be so incredibly eye-watering it wouldn’t be worth thinking about and we’ve never heard of one.
The reality is, once you’ve left the zone that your home insurance covers you for, then your bike is no longer covered. If it’s stolen or written off – that’s that. It’s doubtful insurance you buy at a border or in another country will cover it either. Hence why taking very large, expensive bikes is a big risk.
For example, if you have a UK registered bike, you are normally covered to ride in the UK and Europe (some countries will allow 30-day European cover before returning, while others will give 365 days cover). Once you’re out of Europe though, you’re no longer insured.
So, if you’re leaving on a long-term motorcycle trip and exiting the countries where your home policy insures you for, there might not be any point in keeping your current insurance running. Work it out with your provider so your cover expires once you’re out of your zone, or simply call up and cancel it when it’s no longer valid.
Green card insurance
Some countries require you to have Green Card insurance for your motorcycle before you can enter. This insurance is compulsory for some countries like Turkey, Serbia, Albania and Morocco. But, rules can randomly change, so do check the requirements of the country you’re travelling to before you go.
A green card is basically an internationally recognised certificate from your insurance provider to show you have the minimum legal coverage to ride in that country. It has become very outdated and there are very few countries at the moment which require it. But, if you are heading to a country that requires it then you can either keep your current motorcycle insurance policy valid until you’ve entered and exited the country that requires Green Card insurance, or buy new Green Card insurance at the border to that country or online. Keep in mind that buying it at the border can be costly (especially the Greek-Turkish border!).
If you’re going to purchase it online, we’d recommend using the guys at Knopf Tours based in Germany.
Motorcycle registration document
Before you can get your import paperwork and insurance, you will need to show your registration document. In the UK, this is your V5 Logbook, other countries issue cards for example or titles and deeds to go with it. You will need whatever is supplied by your home country.
It’s a good idea to carry a colour copy of your registration document and to hand that over instead because your original will get manhandled and it saves the original.
But, you should always carry an original because you will get asked for it.
Personally, we have a double sided colour copy of our registration document and have it laminated. We hand this in at borders and nine times out of ten they’re happy with itwith it. But there are times when they ask for the original and we have to get that out.
Driver’s licence and International Driver’s Permit
You should take your driver’s licence with you. To date, it’s never been a requirement for us at any border, but can often be asked for by police.
There are many countries that require foreigners to have an International Driver’s Permit as well as their driver’s licence. Japan is a perfect example of this, if you don’t have an IDP then not only are you not allowed to ride your bike, you’ll get it confiscated. Get caught without one in Thailand and it’s a big fine too – same for Vietnam.
The IDP is a translation of your driver’s licence with pages at the back of the booklet explaining your licence details in foreign languages. You may need to show it in order to get your insurance at the border.
The IDP is a simple document purchased in your home country. All you need is a passport size photograph and your driver’s licence.
Check the IDP requirements of the countries you are travelling to. There are three types of IDP: the 1926, 1949 and 1968 convention IDP. This Gov UK site lists which one each country requires.
Remember that they last 1 to 3 years dependent on which one you get, so you’ll need to factor that into your travel plans.
Immigration
Your paperwork
To enter a country at a land border, sea port or airport, you will need paperwork to prove who you are and to also meet the country’s entry requirements. Here are the most common terms when dealing with immigration and what they mean.
Passport
First up is your passport – obviously. You’re not going anywhere without it, let alone getting into another country. There’s not much to say here as it’s self-explanatory, apart from your passport needs a few clean blank pages left and usually at least six months validity left when entering new countries.
Border guards love putting tiny little stamps slap bang in the middle of a fresh new page. This will quickly fill up your passport. A good trick is to put sticky post-it notes on the clean pages saying ‘Reserved’. Or, simply ask the border guard or immigration officer if they could stamp on a specific page.
Also, plan ahead if your passport is going to expire while you are abroad. Consider how you will get a new one sent to you.
Visas
A visa is a document that allows you to enter a foreign country for a specified amount of time. The visa may be stamped, glued or stapled into your passport or printed out and carried with you.
Which country do I need a visa for?
Every country has their own visa requirements and those requirements differ dependent on which country you’re from. Some countries grant visa-free entry to citizens of specific countries for certain periods of time, some cost as little as £10 and others are eye-wateringly expensive.
Where do I get a visa?
Some visas are given at borders and some you must apply for in advance either online (e-visa) or at an embassy. Sometimes, when a visa runs out you might need to exit and re-enter the country to get a new one, and sometimes you can just reapply for an extension at immigration or even online.
Always carry a bunch of passport size photographs with you as you’ll go through them quickly when entering multiple countries. Use an online service to turn a mobile phone pic into a passport size picture and then go to your local print shop to have copies made for pennies as opposed to those expensive passport machines.
How long do they last?
Visas aren’t indefinite. Typically you’ll get a 30-day visa. If you get a 30-day visa at a border then it will start immediately. Often, if you get a visa in advance (embassy or online) then they are valid for a set amount of days within a set period. #
Let’s say it’s a 30-day visa within a 90-day period. The 90 days starts from the date the visa was issued. That means you’re allowed to spend 30 days maximum in the country and can enter and start your 30 days anytime within those 90 days. But you can’t enter on the 89th day and expect to stay 30 days from there. Once the 90 day period is up, you’re out.
Visas typically last 30 days from the day you get it if you’re entering at a border, but they can last 90 days, 6 months or even up to a year dependent on the type of visa you get.
How do I get a visa on the road?
Getting a visa on the road is tricky for motorcycle travellers because there are multiple countries to travel through, time constraints and different requirements at different embassies. If your visa has a date stamp then you’ll need to stick to a schedule and can’t spend loads of time waiting around and applying at embassies.
If you’re on a long-term motorcycle trip then it’s very difficult to arrange all your visas from your home country before you leave as most will expire by the time you get there. So you will have to arrange visas on the road at embassies. This is usually a straight-forward process, but some countries require you to apply for your visa while in your home country – Pakistan is an example.
If you are going to apply at embassies, then remember that not all embassies are the same (processing times, opening times, requirements etc differ) and there’s not an embassy in every country.
You will need to research which countries the country you want to enter has embassies in, find out what their requirements are and plot them into your route. You will also need to time it well as there’s no point applying for a visa in a country 2,000 miles away if it expires within a month.
A lot of countries are now moving to e-visas where you can apply and receive your visa online. This makes life a lot easier for motorcycle travellers.
Are there different types of visas?
Check the visa requirements before you leave home for all the countries you’re planning on travelling through. You may decide to get them all on the road, but sometimes this isn’t possible or is extremely difficult. For example, Russia is notoriously difficult to get a tourist visa for while abroad, so you might need to get a Transit visa instead, which means you have to enter and exit at specific points within a tight-time period and can’t go off sight seeing. Turkmenistan is another example where it’s easier (and far less expensive) to get a transit visa than a tourist visa.
Other than Transit visas, the typical visa you’ll be applying for is a Tourist visa. There are other options though, like business, working, student visas – but these are more specialist and are for people who need to stay in a country for a longer period of time or wish to work or study while there.
Letter of Invitation (LOI)
The Letter of Invitation (LOI) is a document that very few countries require. It is a supporting document which you may need to provide in order to get a visa. This is often to prove your accommodation if staying with family or friends (and must be filled out and submitted by them) or can be supplied by a company or business if booking a tour with them to ‘vouch’ for you.
Permits
Permits are specialist documents used to enter specific regions within a country. For example, you need a visa to enter Tajikistan, but to enter the Wakhan Corridor area you will need a GBAO permit. Permits differ dependent on the country and where you’re going – they’re supplementary documentation.
Vaccinations
It’s highly advisable to get the recommended vaccinations for the countries you’re planning to travel to before you leave home, and keep a record of them while you travel so you know what you’re covered against and for how long.
However, some countries require you to have vaccinations against Yellow Fever – mainly in some African and South and Central American countries before entering and a certificate to prove it.
READ MORE: How to Stay Healthy on the Road
Motorcycle travel insurance
Motorcycle travel insurance falls under its own category and is the most important document for any motorcycle traveller. But it’s not a requirement to enter a country.
It’s often confused with motorcycle insurance (mentioned above), which is vehicle cover. Motorcycle travel insurance on the other hand is your personal travel insurance, which covers your health. The reason it has the word ‘motorcycle’ in there is because this insurance needs to specifically cover your health even if you are riding a bike. Most travel insurance policies wont cover you if you’re on a bike and see it as an optional extra.
Even if you opt for it as an extra there are still lots of caveats such as you might only be covered to rider 125cc bikes or you’re not covered if you travel on one or use it as your main mode of transport.
Because it’s so important, we have a dedicated guide for it below. This article explains all the pitfalls and things to look out for when getting motorcycle travel insurance as well.
Personally, we have been using Big Cat Travel Insurance (a UK company) for the last three years and plan to do so for the remainder of our round the world motorcycle trip.
We reckon Big Cat are the best and most comprehensive motorcycle travel insurance company out there for UK nationals. We explain why in more detail in the below guide.
READ MORE: The Motorcycle Travel Insurance Guide
Read more on motorcycle travel guides and paperwork
Thanks for checking out this Motorcycle Travel Paperwork Explained Guide. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycle travel that we recommend you read next. And check out our comprehensive Motorcycle Travel Guides for each country as they list visa and paperwork info.
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Holy cow lots of reading good info love it. although you can imagine it’s a lot to soak up in one learning session. I’m dying to find out how helpful and great you people are from that side of the world my bucket list is to ride a loop through Norway Sweden Denmark but never being outside the country I would have no way to know how to start. Even reading everything I have from what I can understand it seems like it would be a pain in the butt to even try to ship my own bike from the United States to Somewere like Denmark for the start of my trip. of course we would all love to ride our own vehicles but sometimes it may not be possible or practical I have not checked the rental programs over in your countries yet but will do in near future. It would be great if I could find a way to find like-minded riders of your countries like I am of mine so if there’s any way anybody could help me out to where I can fulfill my riding bucket list of Europe I’m looking to plan on 2022. would be great to meet new people but I have no qualms about rolling around on my own obviously would need to learn some basic currency get some guides for languages and navigation ideas if anyone could help out this American Rider it would be greatly appreciated thanks Ken Bloch. Milwaukee Wisconsin USA.
Hi Kenneth!
Thanks very much for your comment, much appreciated.
Your trip idea sounds awesome!
Norway, Sweden and Denmark are expensive countries, so it depends on how long you are thinking of spending riding there – shipping your bike might actually turn out cheaper than renting a bike dependent on that.
I would suggest shipping your bike to either the UK or Germany as that would be easier to do.
You can find our recommended contacts for both countries on our International Motorcycle Shipping Finder page. The rest of it is easily sorted.
If you’re stuck and would like more help, send me an email at andy@madornomad.com and we can discuss it further.
Cheers and best of luck Kenneth!
Andy
Hi there. I’ve been recently watching Itchy boots on her trip to Alaska and have much admiration for her bravery travelling alone. Every time it comes to border crossings it seems so convoluted to sort all paperwork out going back and forth to different buildings with so many different charges etc. It seems people get away with throwing a shack up and making some sort of tax up. Why, if these countries need revenue from tourism don’t they have it all in one border office to make it easier. Also I think the UK is missing out big style not charging tourist tax for foreigners coming to the UK. I’m an older guy and think the stress would kill me so I think I’ll stick to Europe lol.
Hi John,
Thanks for your comment. Yeah, to be fair, paperwork is the bane of overland motorcycle travel! But, it does get easier the more you do it. All the different types of paperwork become more familiar after a while and you know what to look out for and ask for.
And also, the motorcycle traveller community is awesome and people help each other out with what to expect and what charges they got so the next person knows what to expect.
No don’t be put off! Honestly, it’s not as bad as it’s sometimes made out to be. So long as you arrive early, have already eaten and keep smiling, you’ll get through it one way or another 🙂
Hi and thanks for the info, great website! I have my RE Himalayan in France and I want to take it around the world. In France you cannot cancel an insurance policy unless you sell the bike or it is scrapped and you have the paperwork to prove it. If you leave it in your garage without a battery and never intend to use it again it still needs to be insured. I have not been able to establish how to cancel the cover. I will not take the bike back to France once I have left the country. Maybe you have come across this issue before? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Bill, thanks for your comment – and your kind words!
Great to hear you’re planning a world trip on your Himalayan!
This is not something I have ever come across before. I assume you have tried contacting the insurance company and vehicle licensing agency? Have you asked if you can prove it is out of the country by sending through temporary import paperwork from a country outside of Europe?
It’s a tricky one, give me a few days and I’ll ask some friends and reply on here.
Cheers,
Andy
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your response. I have tried twice to get an answer to my questions from the insurance company and so far no one can provide any. The scope of the ‘rules’ is surprisingly narrow and vague, the brokers just read the same info I can read online which does not address these circumstances. I also thought temporary import paperwork would be a solution but again I hit a stone wall as the bike would still have French plates. No one could confirm or deny that temporary import paperwork would be sufficient. My challenge is to find legal text which specifically mentions my kind of situation and plan. A police report from somewhere saying the bike was scrapped would do the trick but thats not the route I want to take. I appreciate you asking around 🙂
Hi Bill,
I just got word back from a friend who is a round the world motorcycle traveller from France. He says he simply cancelled his French insurance by calling up and explaining the situation and it wasn’t a problem. He says to use your insurance in the zones in which your French insurance covers you, then to phone up and declare that your bike will be outside of Europe for more than one year. If you prefer, my contact is happy to speak to you directly and explain it. Just send me an email at contact@madorrnomad.com and i’ll pass his details onto you.
Cheers,
Andy
Many thanks for your help, very much appreciated! I have emailed you 🙂
Sawasdee kap
Came across your website while planning my last ride from Bangkok to Vladivostok ( by ship ) then across Russia / Mongolia to English Channel, and back again via Greece. Turkey, Stans, Paki, India, Mynamar. I am 70yrs old Kiwi, so riding China is a no go, because to old to get a licence, and they dont recognise IDP. Its alot of planning and thinking I must say. However your website gives alot of fantastic knowledge re Apps and stuff….need to print it out if I can, as the old brainbox is not what it use to be.I was going to use the old paper maps as I cant even use a tv remote, but if I can learn how to work a cell phone with the Apps. All Good…Gone for a Honda CB500x with hard cases and knobby tyres, as it is bulletproof and light should I drop it, and more importantly, reliable, with parts in most countries..I will read all your website over and over , copy what I can, and try and get away before the light at the end of the tunnel, becomes a ruddy search light..I have been riding for 55yrs..I was going to ride from UK to NZ when I was 19yrs, and put it to Triumph, but they werent interested..times have changed…anyway..thanks for your effort and info,,best wishes..Maaka
Hi Maaka, apologies for the late reply – must have missed your comment!
Yes, China is tricky at the best of times!
I’m really glad to hear the website has been of some help.
Excellent choice on the CB500X. A couple from New Zealand are also on a round the world trip with CB500Xs, you might find their story interesting. Here’s the link to it on our website: Round the World Against the Odds They may be a good contact for you.
All the best Maaka, enjoy your prep and trip and if there’s anything we can do to help, just give us a shout!
Cheers,
Andy
would you look at that folks. I got a reply in my inbox..so stoked Andy..update..found ship from Bangkok to Vladivostok who will even pickup from my remote Mekong River house, take it to Bangkok and crate it up. Have a shipping contact in Vladivostok primed and ready, so thats the hard part out the way..its just more mountains of red tape, visa, temporary Russian import licence, permission for bike to leave Thailand, flight ticket, hotel, insurance and you know the drill…buying the bike was the start..finding the ship to get around China ,makes it more real..stay tuned..thanks for the kiwi contacts will chase that up..all the best…Maaka
Hi Maaka,
No worries, that’s great news you found a shipping company! Yeah, the red tape is the trickiest bit. I’ve replied to your Russian paperwork and China route questions on the articles you commented on already – I hope it helps. Good luck and give us a shout if you need help with anything else.
Cheers,
Andy
Namaste Andy,
I am shiv, 26 from India. A husband, a father, a German translator and a Royal Enfield enthusiast. I have been your regular fan, its so inspiring to read all the stories you put on your website. I am a day dreamer. I dream of myself riding across the world on my Enfield classic 350. I am madly in love with this thought and every day craziness reaching to some new heights. Hope this can i do before i die….Since, riding my royal Enfield from India to Berlin (German connection you know!) and all the major cities in Europe and coming back will be very expensive…I was thinking…is this possible to take the motorcycle of my friend (i will have to find a friend in Europe who will be willing to lend me his motorcycle) and ride across Europe…?? considering i will have my driving license and IDP. Do you think its possible? what other documents i will need?
Many thanks in advance.
Ride ON.
Hi Shiv,
Thanks for your comment! It’s great to hear from you and I appreciate your kind words!
Yes, you’re right – riding from India to Europe would be very expensive due to getting an Indian registered bike out of India, the Carnet and getting it back to India.
So, yes, borrowing a friend’s bike would be far easier. Other than your license and IDP you will need insurance from the country the bike is registered in, the bike’s registration document and a letter saying you have permission to ride it. The insurance is the tricky bit – but assuming you have a friend that’s willing to lend you their bike, then you can use their home address on the insurance. Or they could add you to their insurance policy as a named rider.
The other option would be to buy a motorcycle in Europe and sell it after.
I hope this helps, please do let us know how you get on,
Cheers,
Andy
Hey! Any tips on where the motorcycle travelers stay? Which city? Which neighborhood? I’d love to be around like minded travelers and not just a chain hotel for the start of my trip and beyond.
Hi Renee, thanks for your comment. This is a very broad question! It completely depends on where you are travelling! If you’re looking to stay in places where other bike travellers do, then iOverlander is a good option. Cheers,
Andy
Hi, I am from Pakistan. Do I need a flight ticket to get visa, although if travel by motorcycle. Because it is basic requirement in the visa application. If I do travel by motorcycle and tell to embassy that I am going by road in the visa application it will work or not or i will do as exactly they want. if we buy a ticket and refund the ticket when we got visa or not. the ticket issue company deduct some amount about $100.
Hi Imran, I’m not sure I understand your question. Which country are you asking about?
Cheers,
Andy
Hi, this is great. I have a question about registration. I am Canadian. Registration has to be renewed every year and to register you have to show insurance. But if I am in Asia, Middle East, LATAM, for example, Canadian insurance is useless. But I need the insurance to renew the registration. Luckily both the insurance and registration can be done online. But that is a pain or it could end up having to be done in person for some reason.
Is the only solution to buy the Canadian insurance online, renew the registration online, then cancel the Canadian insurance, have the registration card/document Fedexed to me abroad?
Or is it possible that the borders ask for registration and it doesn’t matter if it is expired? I guess my question is, does the registration have to be valid and up to date when crossing the border, getting local insurance, etc?
How do you manage renewing your registration?
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your comment. Great question! Fortunately, we’re not from Canada and don’t have to deal with this situation with UK registered motorcycles. With UK vehicles we simply get one registration document (called a V5) and it is not linked to any insurance – nor does it ever have to be renewed. So this situation you’re describing with Canadian vehicles is not something i’ve had to deal with before.
However, I do know a very knowledgeable and helpful round the world motorcycle traveller from Canada! I’ll send him a message and hopefully he’ll reply to your comment on here soon.
Cheers
Andy
Hi Jeff
We are Canadian. We have not bothered to renew our registration since hitting the road (we would have to renew in person). What we did was scan our registration paperwork and then doctor it so that it looks like it’s valid, then print several copies out.
We even put an “ORIGINAL” stamp on it to make it look more official (borders always ask to confirm whether what I’m handing them is original). There’s no impact back home, as we’re not riding there, and no foreign border crossing will be able to access the provincial database to confirm the document validity.
The registration document is used to confirm vehicle ownership. Ownership never expires. The annual registration fee is like a road use tax or admin fee. So, I don’t feel the least bit like I’m doing something wrong. Once we return home we will properly renew our registration.
Hi,
Do you have any additional tips on importing a ’77 Triumph Bonneville permanently? I’m returning/locating from Canada to Perth and looking at the costs to determine viability. The bike is in A1 condition.
Thanks.
Hi Andrew,
If you’re looking to permanently export a motorcycle into Australia, I recommend you contact Brent. You can find his email and info on the Australia Motorcycle Shipping Companies page.
There’s a section on this website that lists the best shipping companies around the world, so if you need a supplier from Canada you can find them on that page too: Motorcycle Shipping Companies Finder.
Cheers and best of luck with the move.
Andy
How about a leased motorcycle? If a lease company provides me with a letter in which they say that they approve that i can travel in a foreign country, will the destination country accept it as a valid registration document because it’s not in my name.
Hi Boris,
Unfortunately, that’s very risky – but it does depend on the country you’re travelling to. For example, you’ll most likely be fine in Europe (although some countries may require a VE103B form). However, there are a lot of other countries outside of Europe that just won’t like it if the motorcycle is not in your name and may not let you enter I’m afraid.
Cheers
Andy
Hi Andy
We are shipping our bikes to Vancouver this summer, then riding north into Alaska, up to Prudhoe Bay then back down to Canada. We are picking up confused messages about whether or not we need Temporary Import Permits to take the bikes into Alaska (USA). Do you have any advice.
Thanks Gary & Karen
Hi Gary,
Sounds like a great trip you have planned. Are you shipping your bikes over from the UK? In which case, who is your shipping company?
Next, it depends whether you fly your bike directly to the States or cross a land border. If you fly in you need an EPA Exemption.
If you cross a land border, which you’re doing – you do still technically need an EPA, but the general consensus is that they don’t ask for it, so a lot of riders don’t bother. but you still only have 12 months in the US.
So it’s your call, i recommend reading the USA Motorcycle Travel Guide and the Shipping to the USA guide as both explain info on the EPA.
What conflicting info have you heard?
Cheers,
Andy
Hi Andy
Thank you for your prompt reply, which is appreciated.
We have decided to go down the EPA route, which so far has been simple. All 5 riders have completed a letter against a template, provided on the EPA website. This is simple and requests bike details, our details and dates of arrival, which we have had to estimate.
I can certainly let you know if we have any problems. Our estimated arrival date in Alaska is 9th June 2026.
Best regards
Gary
Hi Gary, good plan. Hope all goes well and you have a great trip.
And yes, please do report back and let us know how you get on.
Cheers
Andy