Hi,
I'm in the States now and will be buying a bike in London for a tour to take me to Egypt. I've found the right bike but in order to secure the carnet from CAA, I need to have it registered in my name. Not having a UK address makes this difficult if not impossible. The person at the RAC made it sound straightforward..."fill out form V379 at any local office". I need to get this bike registered in my name fairly soon to start the carnet de passage wheels to rolling, so any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks.
Dobbs

Hi Dobbs

Your question raises a number of questions, but here's what I have so far:

If you are buying the bike in the UK you are better off to get the carnet in the UK, from either the AA (Automobile Association) or RAC here.

The AA in UK will issue a carnet for non-UK residents and non-UK vehicles, which is probably the most 'casual' of the auto associations that we're aware of!

You can reach them at +44-1256-493753 or by e-mail: internas@theaa.com. They can fax the application forms to you, but will require originals to be mailed back to them before issuing the carnet, so allow time for that.

I don't know whether you can actually register the bike in the UK before you are physically in the country, but it sounds like you've checked that already.

If all you need is a mailing address, Mailboxes Etc (a US chain) will rent you a mailbox which you can use for this purpose, and they will forward it to wherever you like or hold it for pickup. There is one in Windsor (near Heathrow), which we are using. Contact Robert MacMillan at rmacmillan@cix.co.uk or +44-1753-775797 and he can make all the arrangements by phone and fax.

You should be aware that when your trip is finished, the bike will need to be returned to wherever the carnet is issued from, (which is usually where it is registered). Or if it is permanently imported into another country, you must have the official customs receipts from that country, showing all duties and taxes have been paid. This is so that the carnet can be discharged and you can get your deposit / guarantee back.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

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Susan Johnson
Share the Dream at <A HREF="http://www.HorizonsUnlimited.com/index.shtml" TARGET=_blank>www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Thanks, Susan--

I didn't know the AA and RAC were different entities and so disparate in their policies. I shall persevere. Your input is most helpful.

Dobbs

Don't forget. The RAC are pretty lax about the' value 'of the bike.
I got 2 BMW's worth about 4 grand valued at 1500 pounds each.
A friend on a Brand new KLR put his value at 800 pounds.
This brings the cost of your Carnet way down.