Registering a bike in Florida...

[GooseMan]

I live in Montreal, Canada now, but seeing as how our dollar is equal or higher to the US$, and how prices in the US for new and used bikes are SIGNIFICANTLY lower in the US, I'm seriously considering purchasing my next bike in the US.

I have purchased my current car in the US and imported it, but I do have an address in Florida (my parents have a condo in Ft. Lauderdale), and I'm thinking of just getting a bike in the US and resigtering it at that address.

I'm not sure how the whole process works, so I'm wondering if someone can help please me out.

If I were to purchase a bike from another state, what is needed to register it in Florida? Just the title?

Do I need a Florida license to register a vehicle there? All I have is my Quebec license.

Are there annual inspections for motorcycles? Would the DMV ever physically need to see the bike?

I will have the bike insured in Florida, but I'll let them know that I am using the bike in Florida during the winter and in Canada during the summer. Do you think it will be a problem? Obviously, the rate might be higher, but it should techincally be legal, right?

Hopefully its a pretty simple process...as I'd save a TON of cash my registering it there!

Thanks!

[sprint_st]

Rather than asking this forum, I highly recommend you contact Florida DMV by email or online where you get something like and official response.  Lots of things changed since the Patriot Act as far as driver's license requirements and registering vehicles.  You used to have to have an inspection but I don't remember having to get an emissions test which was required for cars.  Having a drivers license from one state and a bike from another always was a pain even though I did it a lot while in the military, again a different situation.  The guy who bought my 02 Triumph Sprint ST had no problem registering it in FL while the guy who bought my 04 Sprint RS had a rough time because the VIN was on a placard on the steering head on different from the frame.  So it all depends.  Anything you hear on this forum, to include what I wrote needs "written" backup from Florida DMV and even that may not be totally correct because most states don't recognize dual state residency which is legal whether they like it or not.  Good luck.

[Snowbird]

Yeah, what sprint_st said.

Generally, state registry laws are intended for those who both reside and operate the vehicle inside the state, but allowances are made for exceptions. In your case, though, there are many exceptions that likely have strict legal requirements designed to keep people from twisting the law to their ends.

[GooseMan]

I asked an official at Canada customs if it would be possible to ride the bike across the border if it were registered in the US, but ridden by a Canadian citizen. He said no, as I would have to prove my US citizenship and/or residency.

So no can do

[hig4s]

Put the bike in your parents name, and just pay for the insurance and have your name added to the insurance policy. If you get stopped here you just say you are borrowing it from you dad. And technically in Florida, as long as the bike does not leave Florida, you don't need insurance at all. (unless you have a loan and the bank requires it)

[LicketySplat]

I'm a snowbird with a legal residence and driver's license in Ohio and a bike that lives in Florida year-round. The SV is titled and registered in Florida, which is the straight-up legal way to do it. Any vehicle should be titled and registered where it's "domiciled." Lots of snowbirds do the same with their cars.

I carry insurance on it for one reason only: uninsured motorist coverage. That'll be extra important for you as a Canadian, since you don't have any "regular" health insurance. Unfortunately UIM is super-expensive in Florida (because of all the people here who shouldn't be driving at all...), but I would never ride without it.


PS... we just got pulled over the other day (Officer Friendly lived up to his nickname, thank goodness) and there was no problem with the paperwork.

[RIDEMYST]

This site should answer all your questions. -JEP-
http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/vehicle-registration.php

[CMS_Sprint]

Last year, I did basically what you wanted to do, as far as registering a bike in the US while I was in the process of moving there. Here are some tips...

1. You will need to get a FL drivers license in order to title the bike and insure it. The FL DMV recognizes your canadian license and will give you a FL license (although it will be marked temporary and only be good for one year, but it does get you into theme parks at the "resident' rate...) Small problem with the temp license is that it's only valid in FL, so if you get stopped for speeding on the dragon on your way home, use your QC license at that point...

2. Getting insurance will be your next challenge, most insurers will want a social #, which you don't have, I was able to get over this hump with All State.

3. If you buy your bike from out of state, you will need to have the VIN certified, which can be done at any police department or at a dealership, don't go to title it in your name with an out of state title without this being done. There's a form for this which you need to pick up from the DMV.

4. Getting the bike into Canada will be a bit of a challenge, but can be done. Go to www.riv.com to learn about this process, but basically as long as you send the title to the US customs office at the boarder you want to cross with the bike 72 hours before you intend to cross you will be fine. You will then have to register with the Canadian side and pay the GST on it there, they will issue you a 30 day transport certificate that will give you enough time to get it to your local DMV and pay the provincial tax.

Hope this helps...