States
Requirements
| Carnet de Passage | not required |
| Insurance | compulsory third party insurance |
| International driving permit | require IDP 1949 |
| Travel Visa | e-visa, 90 days |
How to ride your own motorcycle in America
Taking your own bike to America is as easy as it gets. Unlike many countries you don’t need an expensive and complicated Carnet de Passage (effectively a passport for the bike); instead you just need to get a free-to-apply-for letter of exemption from the Environmental Protection Agency, sort out some insurance cover for the bike as your UK policy won’t cover it, and finally find a way of getting it there.
Air freight is more expensive, but quicker and more predictable. You can fly a bike into any major city, have a couple of hours process collecting your bike, dealing with customs documentation and then be on your way. Price wise you’re looking at around £1,800 return for sea freight, and approximately £2,200 for air freight in and sea freight out.
How to rent a bike in America.
Bike rental in America is set up for the incoming tourist, with most of the main tourist hubs having shops with bike rental facilities. Most offer only Harley Davidsons or Indians, with few other options for sports or adventure-style machines, with prices from around £200 for a day or £1,300 for a week by the time you’ve added the insurance options.
You need understandable documents.
It is also worth printing off the Constat Amiable D’accident Automobile, which is used across numerous and other countries (the downloadable one on our website has English as well as French).
Bike insurance for riding in America.
Medical horror stories abound from America, with cost of treatment in the event of an accident not to be taken lightly, so good travel insurance is a must. Check the small print: a lot of companies exclude the riding of bikes over 125cc, and most insist on you wearing a helmet, irrespective of State laws – whoever you choose, always check everything’s covered. Motorcycle specific policies should cover costs incurred if your rental vehicle breaks down, as well as costs of any damaged gear in the event of a spill. Also look for off-road riding cover to avoid any grey areas if you do wish to ride the trails.
If you’re taking your own bike, then you’ll also have to insure it with a broker out there. Fernet and Motorcycle Express are more expensive but do explicitly cover a foreign vehicle for fully comprehensive with breakdown cover included. Expect to pay a few hundred pounds for a month’s cover, depending on your vehicle’s size and age.
Do I need travel insurance?
Just like any holiday, a trip on a motorcycle – be it in the UK, Europe or beyond – can be ruined by delays, lost documents, illness and more. There are plenty of travel insurance options, but you need to make sure you get a policy that includes riding motorcycles, and if it does, that it’s for bikes of the engine size you’ll be riding (many only cover up to 250cc). At its most basic, you should look for insurance that provides cover for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Loss or theft of personal possessions
- Lost or delayed luggage
- Loss of your passport and other documents
- Travel delays and disruptions
- Having to cut your holiday short
In addition though, if you’re taking a motorcycle (or you’re renting one while you’re away) be sure that your insurer will cover you for any medical expenses, should you have an accident. You must also think about where you’re riding – some policies won’t cover you if you’re trail or enduro riding, or if you’re on a race track. Remember – this isn’t about your bike being covered, it’s about your medical expenses, should the worst happen.
If you’re only going away once, a single-trip policy will likely be all you need, but also consider an annual policy, which could extend to cover your family holidays too (a good insurer should also be able to offer cover for your whole family).
The USA’s rules, laws and paperwork
• Americans drive on the right-hand side of the road, and you can often make a turn on a red light as long as nothing is coming.
• Instead of roundabouts they often have four ways stop signs, which you must come to an actual stop at, irrespective of whether other traffic is around or not. It’s an offense not to come to a dead stop and the police will pull you up for it. The person first to the junction gets right of way.
• Driving standards in America are generally pretty good, although city riding and interstates can be fraught, with most journeys unfortunately starting and ending at a city.
• Don’t cross a solid white line, even to get to a lay-by or turning on the other side of the road.
• Don’t park against the flow of the traffic.
The best advice is to always take your time. Familiarise yourself with the bike before setting off and have a route in mind to get you out of the city and into quieter landscapes. Be confident, hold your position on the road and take your time.
In terms of paperwork, you will need your regular UK driving licence, with it advised that you also get an International Driving Permit, available from the Post Office; some insurance companies require one, and Florida made them mandatory in recent years. In terms of a visa, you can get an ESTA online from the American embassy site, costing $14, with an instant to three day confirmation. If you’ve had any prior convictions or arrests, then it’s worth applying for a proper six-month visa at the embassy, as failure to do so could have you turned away on arrival. Applying for an ESTA is easy, so do not be lured by sites that look very similar, but charge you a fee for ‘assisting’ you.
How much will it cost to ride in America?
Travelling in the States can be quite cheap once you’ve paid for your flights and either bike rental or bike shipping. Fuel is approximately half the cost it is in the UK, food is reasonable, and cheap motels can be found in every town and community, meaning that a daily budget of £60 is manageable, especially if you’re camping.
Obviously you can spend a lot more, but you don’t have to, especially with camping on the National Parks being much cheaper – and more scenic – than any of the privately-owned campsites. An effective way of saving money is to buy an annual pass for the National Parks, which costs $80 and allows you into as many as you want. With each individual park usually around $20-$30 it can save you quite a considerable amount of money over the duration of a trip, and you can buy them from the ticket booth of any National Park.
The cost of a motel room can range from $40 a night for a budget room, to $100 for a decent standard, up to much more for something fancy, especially in popular tourist attractions. www.Booking.com is a good way to plan a trip on the move, booking your next night’s accommodation in the comfort of the night before. The wealth of accommodation options in America make this a manageable option for people who don’t have or want a strict itinerary.
Maps
U.S. Scenic Drives Map £7.99
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Please note, this page was correct when written in August 2025.