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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
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  #1  
Old 11 May 2014
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Will United States license plates cause problems?

Hello,

I'm from the United States and am planning on motorcycling from London to Sydney. My bike has Colorado license plates and I'm wondering if anyone thinks I may face problems due to the instant affiliation with the US? Some of the countries I'll be traveling through are Turkey, Georgie, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Any opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Old 11 May 2014
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I have met travellers with US plates all over the world and have never heard any of them say it caused a problem. People everywhere are less judgemental than you might think and it is more likely to be a conversation starter than cause a problem.
If you are really worried about it you can get a UK style plate with your US number on it made up over here for about £10 on ebay, no customs or police will know or care that it is the wrong style as long as the number is the same as your paperwork.

Last edited by mark manley; 11 May 2014 at 08:01. Reason: spelling correction
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Old 11 May 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
I have met travellers with US plates all over the world and have never heard any of them say it caused a problem. People everywhere are less judgemental than you might think and it is more likely to be a conversation starter than cause a problem.
If you are really worried about it you can get a UK style plate with your US number on it made up over here for about £10 on ebay, no customs or police will know or care that it is the wrong style as long as the number is the same as your paperwork.


That is a dam good idea.


John933
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Old 11 May 2014
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PS welcome to the HUBB, that is a great trip you have planned, most of the information you need is already on here somewhere, use the search facility first but don't hesitate to ask if you can't find it, somebody will have the answer.
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Old 11 May 2014
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I doubt you'll have any problem with a us plate other than someone potentially stealing it as a souvenir. You can order fake plates of all varieties on the internet and you can order one and bring it slong as a backup.
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Old 12 May 2014
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Excellent, thanks for the suggestion! I'll look into a UK license plate as a backup
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Old 14 May 2014
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We did our RTW with Washington DC plates. Never had a problem, not even pakistan. Lots of people won't know what or where Colorado is, if they can read it. Use some loctite on the nuts. Border officials almost always want to see a doc with your plate #. Good luck with your ride!
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Old 14 May 2014
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For sure you will NOT run across any problem in Georgia: in Tbilisi, the capital, I saw "George W. Bush St." with my own eyes! (I'm not kidding, it really exists, you can Google it).


Well, I had your same doubts way back in 2008 when I rode overland Italy to Jordan and back astride my previous Harley with an "USA" chromed logo on the sides of the tank, I was worried about crossing Syria and Jordan with that.
At the end, people were in competition to have pictures while sitting on my bike or beside me, and this happened all throughout the two Countries.

My only suggestion is "go and have fun"!
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