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I am an Italian national, living in Sierra Leone, where I work in the
human rights / rule of law field.
I have recently purchased a tax-free car in Belgium, to use when I am in
Europe for business and leisure. I found it very hard to register the car
in Europe: the Belgians would not register it because I am not a Belgian
resident; the Italians would not register it because the car is
(currently unregistered) in Belgium. To register the car in Sierra Leone
I would need to ship it there, which would defeat the object of
purchasing a car in Europe for use while I am there. |
Mr. Taylor from VVRS has been very helpful in registering the vehicle in
Vanuatu. I will be using the car throughout the EU, primarily for
leisure. I contacted the Belgian authorities before I finally decided to
register the car in Vanuatu, and I was informed that as a non-resident I
can drive in each EU member state for a maximum of three months at a time
before crossing a border. This suits me well because I would in any event
cross a border between EU countries more often than that. In any case,
within Schengen, there are no road boarders on motorways, so the entry
and exit of vehicles is not recorded.
Insurance is provided by a Belgian company. Insurance was required as a
precondition of registration in Vanuatu, therefore I insured the car on
its chassis number, before I received number plates. I expect to be
renewing the insurance every year on the same basis.
The validity of registration has never been challenged by any
authorities. In fact I feel quite confident that its validity will not be
challenged since I have already made enquiries and received that
response.
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VVRS had been both efficient and prompt: once I had provided all the
documents they had required the registration process seemed to be
pretty straightforward. They were also very helpful in assisting me
in identifying what specific documents were required and they have
arranged for notarized translation of the Belgian documents which was
required by the Vanuatu authorities.
I would not hesitate to recommend their services if you can provide
all the documents that are required. In fact, I am planning to
register a second vehicle with them. My second vehicle has Kosovar
number plates, as it was purchased by me during a period of time that
I worked in Kosovo: the plates and registration documents that I have
for my second vehicle are issued by the United Nations interim
administration in Kosovo and I believe that it will be easier to
circulate and cross borders with the Vanuatu registration. |
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In the interest of transparency, I should disclose the fact that Mr.
Taylor has offered to cover the cost of the shipment by express courier
of the new registration documents and number plates in return for my
sharing of my experience with them to you. While I have accepted this
offer, it does not influence what I am telling you: I would not be
interested in registering a second vehicle through them if I was not
satisfied with the service they provide. |
