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  #1  
Old 1 Jun 2010
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Buying a bike in Pennsylvania
Hi,
I just bought a bike in Pennsylvania but when we went to change the title to my name it was impossible because I needed a state licence (international DP no good) and I couldnt get anything with only the Visa waiver program entry that I had.
At present have written permission from previous owner to ride it in his name (tho he has the money for the bike) but I wont be ale to take it to S America until it is in my name.
am waiting for some news from an american woman who works in this department of re-registering bikes and is looking into other state laws.
Basically, at present it seems you need a B2 visa to be legal on buying a vehicle in USA.
If anyone has had any experience in this area, let me know. Things have changed drastically since 9/11 and you need to read the small print on the immigration/visa site (which of course I didnt) before coming here.
cheers
Linda:
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  #2  
Old 1 Jun 2010
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PA is not an easy state for a foreign visitor to buy a bike in.

What I recommend you do is take the Chinatown bus to New York. Apply for a NY State Identification with a health insurance ID card(I presume you have one, your visa and your passport.

NYS DMV - Driver License, Learner Permit and Non-Driver Photo ID Card

With that in hand, you may be able to register the bike in NY State.

Hope that helps.
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  #3  
Old 1 Jun 2010
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buying a bike in Pennsylvania
Thanks Eddie,
I;m not sure what you mean by health insurance ID card. I have Carol Nash insurance papers downloaded from the email they sent as the originals are being sent to my friend in Michigan :confused1:for when I ride back there with the bike. I am in Albany NY at present so which office do I go to. Have passport with visa waiver, birth cert etc and can use this address in Albany.
D'you think this will suffice?
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  #4  
Old 2 Jun 2010
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Yes...that may suffice. Although they require a health insurance card proving you are covered for insurance in the US, you maybe able to just show them the papers. Use the Albany address and find a Department of Motorcycle location in Albany...

NYS DMV - Offices by County (Alphabetical) - Albany County through Dutchess County

Get the Ny State ID card first BUT do not mention that you're looking to register the bike unless they ask you explicitly. Tell them you hear that foreigners that stay in New York for more than a couple weeks are better off getting a NY State ID just to make transit easier.

Once you have the NY state ID, then go to register the bike and use your Albany address.

HTH
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  #5  
Old 2 Jun 2010
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Perhaps you can simply walk into a NY DMV and register the bike with NO local Drivers License, just your passport/Visa and a local address?

Every state has different laws. Worth checking into. But a license is always a good thing to have, if not too much of a hassle to get one.

Good luck with the new bike.
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  #6  
Old 2 Jun 2010
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Was in the same situation in Delaware
It's an akward one. I was lucky enough to have an american friend who registered the bike for me & then listed me as co-owner on the title. I checked out the situation in NY and it was the same as DE, not possible for me to register my bike there. FLORIDA seems to be the easiest place to do this as a non US resident. My friend who i am currently travelling with got his bike there and had no trouble registering it(he's an aussie.)
So maybe you could drive to Florida & register it there? Call the DMV there for info, they were pretty helpful when i was calling them a few months ago.
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  #7  
Old 3 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colmobrien84 View Post
It's an akward one. I was lucky enough to have an american friend who registered the bike for me & then listed me as co-owner on the title. I checked out the situation in NY and it was the same as DE, not possible for me to register my bike there. FLORIDA seems to be the easiest place to do this as a non US resident. My friend who i am currently travelling with got his bike there and had no trouble registering it(he's an aussie.)
So maybe you could drive to Florida & register it there? Call the DMV there for info, they were pretty helpful when i was calling them a few months ago.
hi, thanks everyone for your help. It appears that differnt states need certain ID criteria ans mine just doesnt fit either Pensylvania or NY, have tried both offices. Still tackling Michigan as that is where I am heading next and have also been advised that you cando it easier in Nevada or Utah.
First thing is to get a bill of sale for the bike here and then I will work it out on my travels. The United states are not united and they are not used to travellers doing strange things, so somehow I will have to overcome it. Thought of putting it on my friends title but I have to have it in m y name when I cross borders going out of the country into S Americaa
anyway, somehow it will work...
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  #8  
Old 3 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Casalinda View Post
Thought of putting it on my friends title but I have to have it in m y name when I cross borders going out of the country into S Americaa
anyway, somehow it will work...
In most states it is legal to list TWO (or more) owners (keepers in UK Speak)
If you can get a friend to take the title into his local DMV, he can register it and apply for transfer of Title and list TWO names on the title. Best to put your name on top, if possible. If not, it is still legal in S. America. I don't think you need to be there or so ID to do this. You may have to sign something, not sure, probably varies state to state.

Sorry you're being reamed out by all this Anti-Terror Police state BS. When I bought a bike in the UK is was such a breeze. But then I bought it from a copper who walked me through all the DVLA and insurance procedures. Easy. Just as easy to sell.

Good luck!
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  #9  
Old 3 Jun 2010
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If two people are listed as the owners be careful of how the title names are listed.
If it is Tom and Jerry then both people would have to sign it to sell the bike.
If it is Tom or Jerry only one of the people has to sign the title to sell it.
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