non US citizen

[meabus]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

he may noit need a US registration permanently if he is just going to drive it to CR and lives there so I suggested a 30 day tag..

whys everyone so touchy uin this thread? Ligthen up peeps!
-Christopher

hahahahaha ppl getting caught up in issues I guess and like to make their point, which is not so bad..
and yes I like to have a UA registration, to avoid paying taxes in Costa Rica, I can buy a Bus in Costa Rica as well, just CR is not a country for a Motorhome, and one day I might like to get rid of it, selling in CR is a challange, no matter what it is, but for a Motorhome perhaps even impossible, also I like to travel in USA and stay 6 month in CR a year, for the weather, dont have the desire to travel in wintertime in USA if not needed, I know snow and I know how dangerous it can be driving on snowy roads not even talking about the cold, which one really does not need at all.

[firefoxz]

Originally Posted by Peras

Hi all,

I am a European citizen living in Mexico and I am planing to bring a converted skoolie here. After the research, I still have some question. It will be great if you have the answers.

- I am considering taking a Mexican international federal licence, tipe C for cargo trucks of more than 3.500 kg. (any non mexican with this licence here?) Once I buy the bus in USA, would I be able to drive the still not converted skoolie? Is it still considered a public transport?

- Once it is parked somewhere in usa, I would remove the chair and put some furnitures. Do I need to paint it? Do I need to change the status of the bus to a RV?

- If I want to drive out from USA in less than a week, what paperwork do I need to do beside the Insurance? I just need to be covered for a few miles and a few days.

- The plan is to enter Mexico as a temporal import RV, but today I was told that in order to temporally import and drive a RV with plates from the USA you have to be a USA resident. ?¿?¿? Is it really like this? If is was that way no european coudl drive a US shoolie in Mexico.

4- Once the bus is in Mexico, as a RV with a temporal import, and with the right driving licence. I guess that would be it.


I would appreciate anny comment if you had any experience.

Thanks!

I just moved to Mexico, and I think the problem to temporarily import a vehicle, is that it has to be titled to your name.

And that’s the problem. To title the vehicle in the USA, you have to have an address and maybe a driver’s license. And to have them both, you probably have to be a resident, at least it what it seems in TX – Somebody can probably explain this better.

To import it temporarily in México, you have to be a temporary resident, and you can have it for 6 months, and then you have to take it out and come back again (and pay a small fee every time). I guess if you are just a tourist, you can temporarily import for the time that customs lets you in.
Maybe someone can shed more light into this.

[meabus]

Originally Posted by firefoxz

I just moved to Mexico, and I think the problem to temporarily import a vehicle, is that it has to be titled to your name.

And that’s the problem. To title the vehicle in the USA, you have to have an address and maybe a driver’s license. And to have them both, you probably have to be a resident, at least it what it seems in TX – Somebody can probably explain this better.

To import it temporarily in México, you have to be a temporary resident, and you can have it for 6 months, and then you have to take it out and come back again (and pay a small fee every time). I guess if you are just a tourist, you can temporarily import for the time that customs lets you in.
Maybe someone can shed more light into this.

I am in process to get the same Bus with US license to Costa Rica, I think to have a title in once name none US citizen should not be any problem.
I would stay as a resident with the Bus in CR and leave after 3 or 5 month and come back whenever I want to and do the same..
I hope that's all works out as I wish, if not ..I will certainly not fight the bureaucrats because they drive you crazy, for the following reason, most dont know their own laws in first place, why they change so often cant keep up..and stubbornness is for sure a Latin attitude , they would not even admit when a bus is white, when they see it as black, believe me the truck will be black..period
I have an easy life and will not make it difficult, because than I am stubborn not to say STUPIDO or better both...lol

[meabus]

Originally Posted by firefoxz

I just moved to Mexico, and I think the problem to temporarily import a vehicle, is that it has to be titled to your name.

And that’s the problem. To title the vehicle in the USA, you have to have an address and maybe a driver’s license. And to have them both, you probably have to be a resident, at least it what it seems in TX – Somebody can probably explain this better.

To import it temporarily in México, you have to be a temporary resident, and you can have it for 6 months, and then you have to take it out and come back again (and pay a small fee every time). I guess if you are just a tourist, you can temporarily import for the time that customs lets you in.
Maybe someone can shed more light into this.

Crossing border from USA to Mexico
two Germans , so it seems like they did not have any problems with USA license plates and German driver licenses
expedition happiness vlog #24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BtQ...9gfen&index=24

[firefoxz]

Originally Posted by meabus

I am in process to get the same Bus with US license to Costa Rica, I think to have a title in once name none US citizen should not be any problem.
I would stay as a resident with the Bus in CR and leave after 3 or 5 month and come back whenever I want to and do the same..
I hope that's all works out as I wish, if not ..I will certainly not fight the bureaucrats because they drive you crazy, for the following reason, most dont know their own laws in first place, why they change so often cant keep up..and stubbornness is for sure a Latin attitude , they would not even admit when a bus is white, when they see it as black, believe me the truck will be black..period
I have an easy life and will not make it difficult, because than I am stubborn not to say STUPIDO or better both...lol

Here is more information from TX: TXDMV.GOV - Register Your Vehicle there are links to the Title Manual, Registration Manual and forms.

It seems you can get the title & registration if you can provide an address.
Here in MX, once your tourist permit expires you have to leave the country for 3 days before applying again for a tourist permit. Check the CR legislation out just in case. You might not have major issues.

There are some interesting busses in you might want to check out,
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/6080138738.html
https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6062110548.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/6068181116.html -- great windows!

[firefoxz]

Originally Posted by meabus

I am in process to get the same Bus with US license to Costa Rica, I think to have a title in once name none US citizen should not be any problem.
I would stay as a resident with the Bus in CR and leave after 3 or 5 month and come back whenever I want to and do the same..
I hope that's all works out as I wish, if not ..I will certainly not fight the bureaucrats because they drive you crazy, for the following reason, most dont know their own laws in first place, why they change so often cant keep up..and stubbornness is for sure a Latin attitude , they would not even admit when a bus is white, when they see it as black, believe me the truck will be black..period
I have an easy life and will not make it difficult, because than I am stubborn not to say STUPIDO or better both...lol

Here is more information from TX: TXDMV.GOV - Register Your Vehicle there are links to the Title Manual, Registration Manual and forms.

It seems you can get the title & registration if you can provide an address.
Here in MX, once your tourist permit expires you have to leave the country for 3 days before applying again for a tourist permit. Check the CR legislation out just in case. You might not have major issues.

There are some interesting busses in you might want to check out,
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/6080138738.html -- great AC
https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/6062110548.html
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/6068181116.html -- great windows!

[firefoxz]

Originally Posted by meabus

I am in process to get the same Bus with US license to Costa Rica, I think to have a title in once name none US citizen should not be any problem.
I would stay as a resident with the Bus in CR and leave after 3 or 5 month and come back whenever I want to and do the same..
I hope that's all works out as I wish, if not ..I will certainly not fight the bureaucrats because they drive you crazy, for the following reason, most dont know their own laws in first place, why they change so often cant keep up..and stubbornness is for sure a Latin attitude , they would not even admit when a bus is white, when they see it as black, believe me the truck will be black..period
I have an easy life and will not make it difficult, because than I am stubborn not to say STUPIDO or better both...lol

You could check out Texas DMV www.txdmv.gov/motorists/register-your-vehicle and see their Title Manual, Registration Manual and forms to fill out.

If you can get an address, you’ll probably not have any problems.

[FunkyChickenBus]

Hey, and welcome to the skoolie world!
We own a US registered bus (as US citizens) and have been to an awful lot of border crossings with it in Europe and Central Asia, plus Russia and Japan.

In the USA, the registration situation is very location-specific. Just look at all the threads on registering as bus versus RV and whatnot. Ideally you can find a state with relatively easy registration, set up a "local" address there for residency requirement (I would assume you are coming over on a visitor's visa) and then go about your business. You will need to have proof of US registration/tag and insurance in the US, and then obtain insurance (sometimes available at the border) to go through other countries.

We plan to ship our bus to Argentina in Jan 2019 and drive back up through South America, and then ship across at Cartagena to Central America. Depending on the political situation by then in Nicaragua and Guatemala, we'll ship into Panama or into Belize/Honduras and drive back to SC.

You'll be okay, or you won't, as far as safety goes. If you are lucky, and a savvy traveler, you'll have an easier time. And of course, the BEST stories are when things go wrong. Just ask me about the drug-sniffing dog at the Kazakhstan border and the agent who extracted a bribe of 1 bottle of German beer, 1 bottle of Jager, and $10 USD in exchange for not planting drugs on the bus.

Good luck and if there's anything we can do to help, holler. I'm relatively handy at researching such things, and am always glad to assist fellow skoolies in their international travels.
Sarah

[meabus]

Originally Posted by teamdixiechickens

Hey, and welcome to the skoolie world!
We own a US registered bus (as US citizens) and have been to an awful lot of border crossings with it in Europe and Central Asia, plus Russia and Japan.

In the USA, the registration situation is very location-specific. Just look at all the threads on registering as bus versus RV and whatnot. Ideally you can find a state with relatively easy registration, set up a "local" address there for residency requirement (I would assume you are coming over on a visitor's visa) and then go about your business. You will need to have proof of US registration/tag and insurance in the US, and then obtain insurance (sometimes available at the border) to go through other countries.

We plan to ship our bus to Argentina in Jan 2019 and drive back up through South America, and then ship across at Cartagena to Central America. Depending on the political situation by then in Nicaragua and Guatemala, we'll ship into Panama or into Belize/Honduras and drive back to SC.

You'll be okay, or you won't, as far as safety goes. If you are lucky, and a savvy traveler, you'll have an easier time. And of course, the BEST stories are when things go wrong. Just ask me about the drug-sniffing dog at the Kazakhstan border and the agent who extracted a bribe of 1 bottle of German beer, 1 bottle of Jager, and $10 USD in exchange for not planting drugs on the bus.

Good luck and if there's anything we can do to help, holler. I'm relatively handy at researching such things, and am always glad to assist fellow skoolies in their international travels.
Sarah

Hi Sarah
this is a great post
yes I know about all or lets say some tricks they come up with to extract some money from you, like I said I was in Cartagena and got set up at the beach..lol cost 40 dollar to avoid going to the police office, once police get you, its more expensive and painful..most ppl dont ahve a clue how to approach things in life, one has always to put themself in the shoes of the opposite party and what one would do to feed family ..thats how this world works..
further I like to mention that I am almost sure I will be able to get the registration, if this takes to much effort and I know sometimes it can get tasty with bureaucrats I rather stay away..I learn a lot living in lots of different countries and dealing with ppl dont even know their laws lets stand to manover away from a fixed framework ..all they do follow the book even it might be rewritten already, just they dont know, also they dont like to work..I have Broker accounts in the USA and have to deal with support, often those ppl dont even know what is Costa Rica or better whats outside the USA or even their own barrio, I managed to get things done because I dont take a NO for a NO ...sorry I mention USA this has value all over..ppl dont like to deal with more than they already deal..they get paid so, or so..

If I have any question, I certainly will come back to you

and yes, the Horror stories are the first to hit the wire, and make all the nice experiences NIL, nobody talks about the tens of thousands they travel without major problem..

Hals und Beinbruck we wish the ppl go skiing, we hear when something bad happen at the ski-slope but we dont hear that 100 other ppl at the same slope the same day did not have any problems..

[FunkyChickenBus]

You've got a great background and attitude, you'll do fine.
We have some Brit friends who always carried suit jackets with them and wore them for any border crossings. I thought it was silly, until my husband was with them at the Azerbaijan border and they didn't get treated like dirty hippies, all because of the jackets! So you just never know what might make the local officials see you with a kinder eye.

[meabus]

Originally Posted by teamdixiechickens

You've got a great background and attitude, you'll do fine.
We have some Brit friends who always carried suit jackets with them and wore them for any border crossings. I thought it was silly, until my husband was with them at the Azerbaijan border and they didn't get treated like dirty hippies, all because of the jackets! So you just never know what might make the local officials see you with a kinder eye.

hahaha pretty interesting...I never did, but I bring some conversation and a smile with me, often I ask silly questions and one or two words in their language takes one far..dont see them as threat but as human they do their job and give the gratitude..I have crossed into Panama and Nicaragua, honduras, mexico etc. and ppl with no attitude got no attitude back. even enter the US can be challenging, but a few nice words and help them to understand gets you most of the time where you want, not where they want..its like encounter a dog often talk to him makes him feel well, but if you shout he might get a bite out of you...lol
Show ppl that the are ppl not your slaves!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by meabus

Dont be sorry, I enjoy what ppl have to say and their experience as much as they do! often not getting and strait answer, let to other also imported things one never would imagine !

Originally Posted by teamdixiechickens

Hey, and welcome to the skoolie world!
We own a US registered bus (as US citizens) and have been to an awful lot of border crossings with it in Europe and Central Asia, plus Russia and Japan.

In the USA, the registration situation is very location-specific. Just look at all the threads on registering as bus versus RV and whatnot. Ideally you can find a state with relatively easy registration, set up a "local" address there for residency requirement (I would assume you are coming over on a visitor's visa) and then go about your business. You will need to have proof of US registration/tag and insurance in the US, and then obtain insurance (sometimes available at the border) to go through other countries.

We plan to ship our bus to Argentina in Jan 2019 and drive back up through South America, and then ship across at Cartagena to Central America. Depending on the political situation by then in Nicaragua and Guatemala, we'll ship into Panama or into Belize/Honduras and drive back to SC.

You'll be okay, or you won't, as far as safety goes. If you are lucky, and a savvy traveler, you'll have an easier time. And of course, the BEST stories are when things go wrong. Just ask me about the drug-sniffing dog at the Kazakhstan border and the agent who extracted a bribe of 1 bottle of German beer, 1 bottle of Jager, and $10 USD in exchange for not planting drugs on the bus.

Good luck and if there's anything we can do to help, holler. I'm relatively handy at researching such things, and am always glad to assist fellow skoolies in their international travels.
Sarah

Pics of bus in mother Russia????

[FunkyChickenBus]

Sure, a few favorites from the road in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by teamdixiechickens

Sure, a few favorites from the road in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia!

I'm VERY jealous!!! That is the COOLEST skoolie trip ANYONE has posted yet.

[FunkyChickenBus]

Haha, you are too kind. She's a great bus, sturdy and not a single bit of real trouble to us during the circumnavigation. I feel guilty sometimes with how little we've done on fitting her out, compared to all y'all's fancy rigs and paint jobs. Meanwhile, we've got little handprints (each one is someone who donated for the orphanage in Mongolia we were supporting on our trip) and a lot of graffiti from whoever wanted to write something along the way. There's a lot of Cyrillic on there I can't read, and Japanese!

This one is coming off the ferry from Vladivostok to Japan. We made off with the rally banner back in Ulan Bataar, and had to brag about it once we were far enough away that they couldn't blame us for the theft, lol!

[meabus]

Originally Posted by teamdixiechickens

Haha, you are too kind. She's a great bus, sturdy and not a single bit of real trouble to us during the circumnavigation. I feel guilty sometimes with how little we've done on fitting her out, compared to all y'all's fancy rigs and paint jobs. Meanwhile, we've got little handprints (each one is someone who donated for the orphanage in Mongolia we were supporting on our trip) and a lot of graffiti from whoever wanted to write something along the way. There's a lot of Cyrillic on there I can't read, and Japanese!

This one is coming off the ferry from Vladivostok to Japan. We made off with the rally banner back in Ulan Bataar, and had to brag about it once we were far enough away that they couldn't blame us for the theft, lol!

I like chicken..

[firefoxz]

In Mexico, if you are living as a tourist or as a temporary resident you could import it temporarily. If you are a permanent resident, you would have to import the vehicle.

I looked up more info.

Here is customs information from Mexico’s government website: Temporary importation

Apparently, RVs can have a permit for 10 years…

[slaughridge85]

Originally Posted by teamdixiechickens

Haha, you are too kind. She's a great bus, sturdy and not a single bit of real trouble to us during the circumnavigation. I feel guilty sometimes with how little we've done on fitting her out, compared to all y'all's fancy rigs and paint jobs. Meanwhile, we've got little handprints (each one is someone who donated for the orphanage in Mongolia we were supporting on our trip) and a lot of graffiti from whoever wanted to write something along the way. There's a lot of Cyrillic on there I can't read, and Japanese!

This one is coming off the ferry from Vladivostok to Japan. We made off with the rally banner back in Ulan Bataar, and had to brag about it once we were far enough away that they couldn't blame us for the theft, lol!

I'll live in your engine doghouse and fix it while you're going down the road if you just let me tag along on your next trip... Wink wink nudge nudge say no more say no more...

[FunkyChickenBus]

Come on along! We can always use bus savvy mechanical types on board. Next big trip will be South America, in Jan 2019. You can fly in to join us wherever you'd like. We plan to go to Ushuaia and then back up through Patagonia, through Chile, Peru (Machu Pichu as well) then Ecuador and Colombia.
From there, Central America is a bit of an unknown, it will depend on what sort of Ro-Ro is available in Cartagena then.

The crowd that went with us last time were all strangers to us when we started, so it's not weird at all. A passport and a cheerful disposition are all you need! And a tent. And not a whole lot of need for personal space.

[Versatile]

Be very careful if you go and go in a caravan of vehicles and don't be the last in line.

They rob shuttles buses in Guatemala.

Australian Backpackers Kidnapped in Guatemala Live To Tell Their Story | Q Costa Rica News

The couple were on a shuttle bus, organised through a hostel, with 10 other tourists – including two more Australians – when they were shot at and their vehicle was hijacked by a group of thugs.

“They commandeered our shuttle and jumped into the back and held a gun to my head. They had been shooting at the van like cowboys and once that hot gun was at my head, I thought that was it.”

The van eventually stopped deep in the bush, where the three men