Vehicle ownership when crossing boarders
 

I know that I will need both the bike registration and title (and copies) with me as I transit from country to country in Central America. My son and I will be riding together. However, both bikes are registered and titled in my name only.

Will it present an issue at the boarders if my son's bike is in my name if I am present also?

There are no problems as long as you are present. I have met people with RV
who had bikes on the trailer on one name. It will be good if you make authorization notary in spain that your son can use a motorcycle in case if something hapend to you.

I have made numerous journeys from the USA here to our farm in Costa Rica. Some on motorcycle, some in cars. I can tell you with absolute certainty that Guatemala and Honduras made clear only I could drive car with theTIP in my name, or I had to be in the vehicle when it was being used. How that would translate to a motorcycle I have no idea.

You’ll be crossing a lot of borders, checking on POA’s for each country could be troublesome and if you asked each Embassy and they said “Good to go” doesn’t mean that will translate to the guy/girl working the border crossing


SEE IF Washington state allows a one time vehicle gift to a family member, or simply include him in the title as “or” or “and” as you will be with him.

Actually might not be a bad idea to get him as an “or” on both bikes in case, Heaven forbid, something happens to you and you evacuated back to the states and he has to make shipping arrangements for your bikes or sell them

Good luck. Look me up when down this way. Your welcome to crash at our mini resort

Crossing borders can require documentation process in place along with an International Credit Card as it comes handly while at the border. Else, most places cash is also accepted, but I still prefer a card.

No, no issue of any kind as long as you are together. The only concern that a border official would have is that the moto might be stolen, and if you are both there together, that eliminates that concern.

Very likely no issue at all if he is crossing a border alone without you, simply because the surname and address on the ownership will be the same as the surname and address on his driver licence, passport, etc.

My bike is registered in my wife's name, I have crossed over 30 different borders in North America, Europe, and Africa in the past 20 years and never had a problem. In fact, I've only been asked to show the ownership 2 or 3 times (less than 10% of the time) at border crossings. No-one noticed that the first name was my wife's, not mine.

Michael

I did blog about that topic recently:

https://vanlife.4x4tripping.com/2021...rowed-car.html

I did the transafrica by a company car, so the "what is needed" is too tested. Otherwise than PanEuropean I did have to show the apostille severall times, had even with that worries at a benin border.

I`m shure - that a lot "can work" - and even probably the border guys are wrong. But do we want to fight with them? At the Benin border I did solve the worries with giving them additioal to the apostille also my carnet, which was accepted at the end.

But I`m pretty shure that the carnet itself wasnt necessary at this stage. But it looks so official - that it works.

Im my eyes even a apostille looks very official..

Worrys means - the guy wouldnt have let us pass, he told us to wait for his supervisor who will arrive "in the evening, or tomorrow"...

Therefore I didnt speak the language - could have been too an issue. For smugglers it may helpful to get all attention to the documents - and not for the content of the car/pockets. For us travellers it seems to be easier with get vehicle paper on our own name..

Surfy

NORTH RIDER , considering that you asked the question about ownership of TWO bikes back in February 2022 it is possible that now in June '22 you may already have crossed the BORDERS and have discovered the problems you were likely to have . Are you now back home or did you travel to Costa Rica or South America at all this year ? ( I can find only four HU posts under your name so perhaps you checked out of HU completely ? ) Which path to resolving your question did you take ? Don't leave us in suspense . Please share the history you developed on this .
It seems to me that Mexico would be the first country to balk at the ownership of two bikes ridden by different people .

Individually owning the bikes is so easy to do once when you are still at home and that will ALWAYS be simpler than arguing repetitively about such things at every BORDER crossing where each agent may have his/her own interpretation of the particular rules . .

I gut turned away from the Tapachula (Mexico to Guatemala) border crossing this week because my letter of authority to take my friends Mexican bike into Guatemala was not notarised. I got it notarised and they let me in. Tapachula border is hell in earth but there are good instructions here and on iOverlander.
At the Guatemala to Belize border they did not ask for any evidence that I had the owner's permission. They were efficient and very pleasant and helpful.

Which ''Tapachula border " you used would be helpful to know .
Tapachula actually is not at the border . You crossed either at Cd Hidalgo ( to Ayutla ,GT) 30km to south or at the PanAm crossing at El Carmen ,near Cacahoatan ,15km to the east .
The Mexican paperwork may also be competed at the roadside customs terminal on Mex 200 at HUIXTLA.
The Guatemalan side offices arrangements are indeed a bit confusing , but that too is part of the adventure travel experience . Bring patience and a sense of humor , cross in daylight and don't crowd the sunset and you will be less stressed about any slow service .

To answer your question, I got turned away from El Carmen. The lady who does the Tourist SAT showed me the poster requiring a notarised power of authority.
I tried to negotiate but failed.

Hi I am Alex
Answering to your ques- No, there is no issue only if when you guys are together, except in one condition if it is stolen.

In fact he can cross the border without you. As his driving license or other identity card like passport etc. carries your surname and address which is similiar to you. So there is no problem as well.

I have using my bike which is registered on my sister-in-laws name. I never ever faced such kind of situation. oh, yes but 2 or 3 times I get questioned to show the ownership of the bike.