What do you need and how long do you need it? I have a bike in northern Italy that is currently available.
I have a residence, codice fiscale and utility bills in my name. What do you think would be the easiest? I'm trying to decide if I want to ship a US plated bike or attempt to buy/register one there( if possible ).
That puts a different light on it. The answer is: It depends. If you want a daily driver, then you're better off buying something on the local market. If nothing else, insurance will be much cheaper. If you just want short term riding (up to a couple (2-3) months per year), then shipping one over, keeping the US registration active and getting Green Card to cover the active periods might be what you want. Note that Green Card seems to be going for between $150-$200/month. If I were in your situation (and had a place to stash the bike), I think that I'd go for buying an EU spec bike and registering it locally. Fewer issues in the long run.
My issue is I go often, usually about every 6-8 weeks, but only for about a week or so. Would I even be able to buy green card insurance for say a 30 day period, ride my week or 2 and rinse and repeat every time I go? Thinking about it, money wise, it'll probably be costlier that way. Also, if I am able to actually register and insure it over there, would I be able to use my US DL with MC endorsement or would I need to get my Italian one? None of my relatives over there have any clue on any of this. Very specific questions and outside the normal realm of situations...
I've heard (but have not verified) that you're limited to 6 months of Green Card in a 12 month time span. The license bit would be interesting. Ask your relatives if they have to show their license when they register a vehicle or just show proof of residence/insurance. If so, then... Part B is would any of your family be willing to register it in their name and Part C is would you trust them not to sell it or whatever?
The question of the Green Card could be answered by someone like Dooby (inmate Frgich on here) who deals with a lot of Green Card insurance.
I can't comment on the Italian law and how they deal with these things, but for sure regarding the third party liability as stated before max time you're allowed to spend is 90 days + 90 days and in the meantime if you're doing everything as the law states you need to get out of the EU to reenter. This is the reason for the max 90+90 days of green card coverage for non residents. As for buying a bike here in Croatia, we're providing the service for many clients, motorcycle is registered to the company, you're the only one allowed to use it, if not specified otherwise in the contract. You're deciding when to sell and if you're interested would like to rent the bike when you're not using it to other clients or your friends/mates from USA or from Europe. We're one stop shop so we can find a desired motorcycle for you, do all the paperwork, provide third party liability coverage, storage, shuttle to and from airport, bike transport to desired location etc etc. As for your question regarding the insurance, shortest amount of time we provide is 15 days, so you fly in, ride, and then go back after 6-8 weeks doing the same thing as long as you like. If you buy a bike through us you can use your existing US DL , international driving permit is not needed, but it can come out useful in some countries to go through routine checks much faster. As for who we are, we're running a multiple award winning hospitality business, and we're also tour operator. On the motorcycle side, we provide almost everything there is, and are known as providing support with insurance for EU, and supporting travellers when traversing Africa, Middle east, Asia, Russia, etc. If you ride offroad you can also check www.transeurotrail.org, project we're proud of being a part, providing linesman services for Croatia. You can reach us over PM, or via email: mototours@lobagola.com or borderinsurance@lobagola.com Rgds dooby
You can do that in neighbouring country of Croatia, using our services. We're providing one stop shop services for such clients, more info is in length on our website, or on our thread here on ADVrider, or on the HUBB (2 threads). We can sot you out with bike of your choice, provide insurance (third party liability), provide storage, service, tires, transport, accommodation in our Lobagola B&B, ... Let me know if you have any other specific questions. Regards Dooby
I'm going to throw it our there. My cousin's husband is pretty passionate about riding and might help me out. I asked my uncle years ago and he mentioned being nervous about the liability and insurance. But that could've been because he see's motorcycles as dangerous
HALO TO ALL im landing with my motorcycle in rome this coming sunday,(air canada) its a usa registered bike,whay kind of peppers do i need ,to release it from the custom? thanks m
It’s possible for non eu to buy , reg and insure. You can do it through a 3 rd party , Moto Fermie and Ride-in-Tours our of Tours France does this. I’ve posted elsewhere in Europe forum on this, gotta go I’m on a ride in Italy now
For more storage/temporary use options you could check out Stefan Knopf (http://www.knopftours.com/) He offers a variety of storage, hire, green-card, tours, B&B and related services out of Heidelberg, Germany. We stayed at his B&B a few years back and am intrigued at the prospect of storing a bike with him.
I've stored two bikes (sequentially) with him 2009 ~ 2017. Absolutely NO issues. SO much cheaper than renting. Considering a 3rd.
If you have RELATIVES living in Italy then that opens a door for you . Find one who you know well who has a drivers license , and trusts to your total honesty . YOU buy a motorcycle in Italy with your money and have it registered under the name and address of that relative after he agrees to this plan, of course. You can try buying insurance under your own name . If that is not possible then have that relative buy insurance with your money under his name and have YOUR name registered as a second driver. Remember, any photo radar infractions YOU get charged with will be sent to the registered owner , including possible demerit points . Therefore you are responsible for driving safely and infraction free . And of course YOU will pay all the fines you accumulate . Technically it is not your motorcycle , but it will be available whenever you show up . If your relative has an mc drivers license he might even fancy using it , perhaps you can arrange a share deal with him vis insurance cost . You are fine driving in Europe using only your USA drivers license with mc endorsement . The " green card " is a normal part of any insurance liability policy and it will list all the countries where it is valid . The business of a foreigner getting temporary plates is, I think , referring to EXPORT PLATES , as in the case of buying a new bike , to be picked up at the factory and ridden around Europe for a limited period after which it must be shipped to America .
I agree with Sjoerd above, this what I did after reading through all the requirements of Italian laws. I have a friend whom is an Italian citizen and resident that helped me purchase and registered all in his name. As mentioned you need to trust each other as both have some exposure.. Also we found insurance companies that allow you to buy a 1 year policy, but turn it on and off up to 6 times. This is helpful if you only use say 1 month at a time, then you can stretch the 365 day policy over 6 years.
Not quite. Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain all require an IDP. Whether they ask for one or not isn't relevant - it's required by law and all it takes is one picky cop to have you walking.
