Bringing the Bike from America

ubermick

So thinking of moving back to Ireland after 20 years in the States. Obviously the car can't come with me (well, it could, but I'm not psychotic), but would like to bring the bike, a 2010 BMW F650GS twin. Looking at the import tax, would only be about €300 to bring it in, and considering how much I love her, can't say no to that.

That said, what's the story on licensing and insurance? I'm assuming I'd be considered a new rider since my Yank license isn't recognized outside of visits so would have to start from nothing.

Man11

ubermick wrote: »

So thinking of moving back to Ireland after 20 years in the States. Obviously the car can't come with me (well, it could, but I'm not psychotic), but would like to bring the bike, a 2010 BMW F650GS twin. Looking at the import tax, would only be about €300 to bring it in, and considering how much I love her, can't say no to that.

That said, what's the story on licensing and insurance? I'm assuming I'd be considered a new rider since my Yank license isn't recognized outside of visits so would have to start from nothing.

Change your licence to a UK one . Aren't they reconised over there . But you have a year to change it hear , wait a few years then change to Irish one then !
Yes you definetly have a year to change it .

ubermick

Man11 wrote: »

Change your licence to a UK one . Aren't they reconised over there . But you have a year to change it hear , wait a few years then change to Irish one then !
Yes you definetly have a year to change it .

Someone mentioned the UK one already, but looked into it. Aside from the fact I'd have to move to the UK first and live there for a minimum of four months, there's no exchange from US to UK, would have to go through the whole testing procedure there as well.

Man11

ubermick wrote: »

Someone mentioned the UK one already, but looked into it. Aside from the fact I'd have to move to the UK first and live there for a minimum of four months, there's no exchange from US to UK, would have to go through the whole testing procedure there as well.

Did you do your first driving test in the us ?

carsQhere

ubermick wrote: »

That said, what's the story on licensing and insurance? I'm assuming I'd be considered a new rider since my Yank license isn't recognized outside of visits so would have to start from nothing.

There was a guy on the MAG Ireland team relocated from the states. So from experience, your US license is not recognised. You'd need to start from scratch in Category A. Theory test, permit, IBT, wait six months, test, wear an N vest for two years.

The six month wait I hear can be "worked on" but I don't know the details.

Insurance - When I was involved in MAG every single overseas rider who relocated here had trouble getting cover. MAG made representations to various insurers and so far as I'm aware, nobody was left high and dry. It makes no sense to me but cover was being declined on the basis that the applicants hadn't been resident in the state in the years prior to seeking cover. Some underwriters rule apparently.

Good luck with the move.

Man11

ubermick wrote: »

So thinking of moving back to Ireland after 20 years in the States. Obviously the car can't come with me (well, it could, but I'm not psychotic), but would like to bring the bike, a 2010 BMW F650GS twin. Looking at the import tax, would only be about €300 to bring it in, and considering how much I love her, can't say no to that.

That said, what's the story on licensing and insurance? I'm assuming I'd be considered a new rider since my Yank license isn't recognized outside of visits so would have to start from nothing.

Your licence is valid for a year . Do get the international licence to with it

Hotblack Desiato

The so-called 'international driving permit' isn't worth a damn, it's only a translation of your existing licence for the convenience of foreign cops and entitles you to nothing you don't already have.

Useless within EU obviously, also useless when host country and destination country are both English speaking.

OP you say 300 (VRT?) but what is the actual shipping cost? Seems an expensive exercise in pointlessness to me.

Man11

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

The so-called 'international driving permit' isn't worth a damn, it's only a translation of your existing licence for the convenience of foreign cops and entitles you to nothing you don't already have.

Useless within EU obviously, also useless when host country and destination country are both English speaking.

OP you say 300 (VRT?) but what is the actual shipping cost? Seems an expensive exercise in pointlessness to me.

But the point im making his licence is valid for a year

Charles Babbage

If you move, there should be no taxes payable on your property, including a car or bike.
As I understand it the 6 month wait is not applicable in the case of people moving.

Hotblack Desiato

Man11 wrote: »

But the point im making his licence is valid for a year

Nope that only applies to temporary visitors, not if you're becoming a resident here.

CJhaughey

One thing to be aware of is the need for a certificate of conformity (COC) or a EU whole vehicle type approval EUWVTA cert.
You should check that you can get one first as I know of a few bikes that couldn't be registered because they didn't have one.

Man11

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Nope that only applies to temporary visitors, not if you're becoming a resident here.

Yes it does you can drive for a year on us licence , but after the year you have get Irish licence , I know loads of people Tha done it .

Muahahaha

I'm interested to know the cost of shipping a bike OP?

galwaytt

ubermick wrote: »

So thinking of moving back to Ireland after 20 years in the States. Obviously the car can't come with me (well, it could, but I'm not psychotic), but would like to bring the bike, a 2010 BMW F650GS twin. Looking at the import tax, would only be about €300 to bring it in, and considering how much I love her, can't say no to that.

That said, what's the story on licensing and insurance? I'm assuming I'd be considered a new rider since my Yank license isn't recognized outside of visits so would have to start from nothing.

As you'll be on a Change of Residence, there is no VRT payable.

The licence and insurance as pointed out, are the issue: you'll be starting from scratch basically. Once you're over 24, you can do Direct Access, so I'd just put the head down and get it done.

As to whether or not it's viable/possible or simply worth the bother, I'm currently looking at buying the same bike, here. I can get a July 2009 here for €6900 (with panniers). It depends on what you'd get for your bike in the US and what the cost-to-change would be. If it was as close as dammit considering shipping etc, I'd sell in the US and then buy here.

TeaBagMania

Don’t give up on your LHD car so fast; it might be worth more to move your personal effects than it’s worth to sell. What does it cost to have a company move everything door to door from CA. to Ireland?

Here’s my plan, load up truck and trailer (bikes in trailer) along with all household and personal effects. Drive to Norfolk Va. load truck and trailer into shipping container bound for Felixstowe, drive from Felixstowe to Ireland. Simple.

You still have the option of selling your vehicle to someone in a LHD european country

TeaBagMania

double post.... see page 1

Hotblack Desiato

Man11 wrote: »

Yes it does you can drive for a year on us licence , but after the year you have get Irish licence , I know loads of people Tha done it .

Sure some people do it but it's not legal, only temporarly visitors can drive on a US licence, and tbh we shouldn't even allow that given what passes for a driving test over there, but tourism is more important than safety apparently.