This is total and utter nonsense. First thing you need to do is learn who to listen to and who to ignore. The guy who emailed you is one of the latter.

I'm going to quote my own earlier post, since it will answer your current questions: (paste) Don't trust people here to give you accurate answers about how to do that without at least confirming it by Googling the registering authority of the state in which you propose to accomplish this (e.g., Washington Department of Licensing, Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles).(end paste)

You're asking about California. Google their DMV/DOL and read the instructions. If what you find there doesn't suit you (pay attention, for example, to whether you need to do a smog inspection), try Arizona next, then New Mexico. Etc.

What you're trying to do is quite routine, and will become difficult only if you allow this to happen. The amount of misinformation you get on internet forums (and have gotten here) is staggering. Of course, there's also lots of good information in this thread; the trouble is, it's hard to tell the difference just by reading credulously. You need to take charge, or resign yourself to being forever at the mercy of people like your email correspondent.

Good luck.

Mark

It may have been accepted in other countries, but that POA is actually valid only in Chile. With the Apostille, then it would be valid in all countries part of the Apostille Convention (as the US). I hope you'll be lucky and they'll also accept it in the US.

That would be the way to go, remember the famous Apostille.

Good luck and happy travels,

Esteban

From your first post, if I read it correctly, you have an Endorsed Title that signs the bike over to you. Is this correct? If so that is your proof ownership. The POA is kind of irrelevant for this purpose.

From the AZ DMV website.

5) What do I need to title and register my out-of-state vehicle?
-Completed, signed title application (see #6)
-Emission compliance form - Phoenix and Tucson areas only (see #7)
-Level I vehicle inspection, if out of state title and/or registration is missing (see #18)
-Out-of-state title (or registration, if title is held by lienholder)
-Out-of-state license plates
-Lien clearance, if applicable
-Payment of all applicable title and registration fees (see #2).

That must be incorrect - I am an Australian citizen and I have a valid Arizona registration. Plenty of other overlanders also have registered vehicles in the US.

As markharf has suggested check the relevant state DMV websites. This is website for the California DMV - http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ by looking at the website this process appears to complex and expensive. I still suggest Arizona see the AZ DMV website here . Andi from TwoMotoKiwis is registering his 950 from Maine in AZ next week, which will essentially be your process, Endorsed Title and Online Insurance, maybe PM him once he is done. The good thing in AZ you can go to an Agency. See this page for outstate vehicle registration information DMV FAQ.

This could be interesting - it would have to be imported into Canada to do this, unless you can find a buyer that will by it un-imported and look after it themselves. Start here Importing vehicles purchased in the United States - Transport Canada. By the way registration and insurance is much cheaper in the US than BC. There will be duties and sales tax payable amongst other things.

I think your idea online insurance before you cross is a good - I also found this 3 day trip permit which is expressly for the purpose of driving around an unregistered vehicle for the purpose of getting it registered. From reading the website having one of these and the insurance would make you legal (probably can even remove the number plate). You might need to fill in one of these Registration Penalty Fee Waiver Request also to say you haven't been driving around Arizona unregistered.

Lastly maybe a 30 or 90 day permit maybe the answer - the 30 day permit can be obtained online, https://servicearizona.com/webapp/permit30/start.do. Edit: after looking at the 30 day - possibly that won't be the right thing, not certain.

I hope this is helpful. All the information provided is either direct from the relevant websites and/or from my own personal experience of registering a vehicle in the US.

Craig, you definitely wrote the MANUAL. Good job.

Forget the power of Attorney and all the legal BS crap it is very simple.

Today we registered Maya a 950 SE born in Portland Maine, I am a New Zealander and used my New Zealand licence on a US bought bike with no plates, I transfered her into my name with the title with my name on it (which you have).

All you need at least in AZ is,

-The title with it signed into your name.
-If it is older than 5 years you need an emissions test in Central Phoenix, no need if outside of this central area.
-Your current drivers licence from where ever you are as long as it is valid.
-For us it was $112.50 US for change of ownership, one years registration including the convenience fee, it took about 10 minutes.
-You will need a local US address, an ADVer or Hubber may help.

That is it, job done.

Forget any other advice as it is overboard, costly and unnecessary.

Don't forget insurance ... but that is a separate argument again!!

__________________
Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

That’s a useful post and 1st hand opinion, therefore the best available. Although the way you discarded others’ comments (POA) is just wrong (forget) and I explain why.

Actually, your post, as Craig’s (which I praised and gave a “like” days ago), is the way to go now, to solve the problem in the short term, since registering the bike in AZ seems pretty straightforward. Simpler is better.

By contrast, the POA crap is designed to avoid the problem almost anywhere in the long run –I repeat, I know nothing about registering a bike in the US; but I know what a POA in general terms is and how to use it abroad-, so it should be the way to go next time to avoid later issues as in the case. He actually used one to ride the whole Americas, but they missed some points about the POA the owner signed. It could also be used here, I'm sure, but it's unnecessarily complicated, compared to your way.

So, both approaches are actually complementary (short/long term).

But I would not forget the POA crap/info. I personally prefer to prevent the problems, rather than solving them.

Btw, no offence at all, in the case I would easily have said "forget legal crap" as well. It's just to say "don't forget it, so you do not repeat it, a few more sentences in the POA and a stamp and you would have had total peace of mind".

Esteban

PS: In Switzerland you can also register the vehicle under your name just handing over an annulated "grey card" (property document). In Spain, my homeland, NO WAY (but the POA would work), so good that in Arizona it can be done easily as well.

OK, great, it sounds easy in Maine. But every state is different so don't assume you can do this in every state, you certainly cannot in Washington, DC, where you need a DC drivers license.

Guys thank you so much - this information is priceless - am going to start looking into all the different options and will post back as to the final solution I come up with and how it works out for me.

I have dropped the idea of selling the bike in Vancouver and as such am probably going to try and sell it in California. Am going to see if it is possible to get a buyer lined up before I get to America and then just get the three day permit and drive the bike to my seller within the three days - would surely be the easiest/cheapest solution - we will see.

Thanks again

Duncan

Or ride to Colorado and license it!

__________________
All who wander are not lost?

Yes, don't try to sell it in Canada! Selling it in the USA is MUCH easier, Canada is a huge snakepit of legalese you don't want to go near for any bike younger than 15.

Selling it in it's registered state is the easiest.

good luck!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hello there,
we are a little bit in the same situation with a car from California, do you have any updates on this?

thanks!

Guy