Buying/registering as non US citizen in California

[JimmyF]

I've read a few other posts regarding buying and registering in California, but still have reservations. My wife and I are hoping to fly to LA from London in May, purchase a couple of Vstars or similar and cruise around the west coast for a couple of months (perhaps standard for some but a long awaited trip of a lifetime for us). We do have an address we can use in California and we had hoped to spend no more than a week, purchasing and registering the newly bought bikes, but we've recently been advised that to get a title document from the DMV, we need a Cali drivers licence and a 4-6 week wait for the fresh registration plates to come through. Really??? Others don't appear to have had a problem, but its a long way to go on the chance of failure. Perhaps its our age, but it would be great to have a little more confidence to know its possible. Any help/comments would be greatly appreciated, there must be somebody out there who has done this recently who could perhaps point us in the right direction.

[craig.iedema]

Are you welded to registering in California? This is much easier in other states, like Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.

I have recently done it in AZ, very easy.

[JimmyF]

Not really. We're flying into LA, but can travel if it makes life easier. Did you do it with a US licence or are you non resident. Are you aware whether we can do it with a UK licence and did you have to wait to receive the reg plates?

[markharf]

OP, if you use the search forum you'll find that this question is asked a lot, and that answers are plentiful.

Not trying to be obnoxious about it--just suggesting you try this for more and better answers to your questions.

Mark

[JimmyF]

Well, I have to admit I'm a little new to this forum stuff, but I have trawled and trawled a load of associated stuff, but I still can't find a definitive answer to my question. Do we need a California drivers licence to get a title for a motorcycle bought in California?, and therefore make it very difficult to do what we want to do. DMV don't make it clear - I would be very grateful if anyone could point me towards the answer if indeed they've seen it.

[ozranger]

i am an australian in nevada, non resident, non citizen on ozzie licence. i bought and registered a car here with no problems.
its only a 4 hour drive to vegas from LA so that could be an option for you.
that can give you a back up plan should California give you any issues.
when you buy the vehicle they give you a one month temp registration permit type thing. and then when all the paperwork (title etc) are ready for pick up. take it dmv and you get plates on the spot. i insured with progressive as they are cheapish and insure foreigners
hope this helps a little bit

[craig.iedema]

Originally Posted by JimmyF

Did you do it with a US licence or are you non resident. Are you aware whether we can do it with a UK licence and did you have to wait to receive the reg plates?

Non Resident - Aussie Licence, got the plates straight away.

[JimmyF]

Thanks for all advice, due to contact from forum members, it looks as though we are sorted with local help/expertise.

[subsea]

Originally Posted by craig.iedema

Are you welded to registering in California? This is much easier in other states, like Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.

I have recently done it in AZ, very easy.

Long story short, I am a paraguayan and want to buy a bike in the USA and ride down to south america.

I contacted a dealer and he said I am going to need a permanent address in order to register a bike.

I also will need insurance in order to ride in US legally and to register if that is the case. They also require an address.

How did you solve this issue? Used a hotels? Had friends in AZ?

What insurance did you use?

Did you cross american borders? Just to make sure what documents they require.

I read many tourists and NON US CITIZENS buy bike in US and ride. I dont know if I am overlooking things or complicating, just want to make sure I dont fly there an cant buy and register the bike.

Please, any info you could give me on this, will be really appreciate.

Thanks,

Alejandro