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Lost Driver License in Mexico Lost Driver License in Mexico
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Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 7 Jan 2019
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Question Lost Driver License in Mexico
Canadian here on a journey to Panama aboard a KLR650. My question to the group is can I ride without a drivers license in Central America and not experience any major hassles?

I was recently robbed of all my important items in Mexico City last week. All I have is a passport and debit card. My thoughts were to continue riding without any License and have a note (in Spanish) explaining I was robbed ect.. and providing the details of my Canadian license (that I know) in case I get stopped by the police.... I can assume if I get stopped by the police like this a bribe will be expected which I am happy to pay (im expecting 500 pesos).


I would like to get everyone's thoughts and suggestions on this. I do have a drivers license, just not on me at the moment.

I will be getting a temporary license in the mail in approximately 4 weeks time sent to my Canadian address. This temporary license is on a piece of paper which will be scanned and sent to me... Keep in mind I will get this legal paper in 4-5 weeks from now...
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Old 8 Jan 2019
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in nicaragua your vehicle will be impounded if you are stopped without a license. i also doubt they will accept a non-photo license, especially a scanned version
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  #3  
Old 8 Jan 2019
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Originally Posted by teevee View Post
in nicaragua your vehicle will be impounded if you are stopped without a license. i also doubt they will accept a non-photo license, especially a scanned version
You're making a strong case for reporting a driver's license lost and receiving a duplicate before leaving on a trip. Not that you or I would ever consider such a thing. Just don't confuse the two and present the "lost" one to law enforcement in your home country.

Mark
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Old 8 Jan 2019
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Yes Mark. Truly amazing how many overlanders misplace their license just before heading off.

Been itching for someone to keep it for ransom so I could just drive off but hasn't happened so far. I also had some good photocopies made and laminated and they were accepted most times
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Old 8 Jan 2019
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i cant speak for other US states, but florida makes it dead simple to have multiple legitimate originals of your DL. all one has to do is go online and order a 2nd or even 3rd. only the issue date changes, # and exp date remain. also works when you move.



i keep my old address license in my truck in nicaragua with the reg and insurance card. my current DL stays in my wallet.


anyway, i wish the OP luck. maybe it would be worth a quick flight home to get a new legit license.
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Old 8 Jan 2019
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I've heard that before, a quick flight home ill be dropping a good $1,000. not to mention bike storage and additional expenses, time is also sensitive aswell.
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Old 9 Jan 2019
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Originally Posted by kevin.kingma44 View Post
I've heard that before, a quick flight home ill be dropping a good $1,000. not to mention bike storage and additional expenses, time is also sensitive aswell.
But this time you'll be making copies - laminate them.
And keep a backup on the web somewhere.
And store a photo of them on your phone/camera.

Same with your passport, c cardS (you should have more than 1 c card - from different banks).

This could save you $1,000 ... or more.
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Old 9 Jan 2019
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I don't know if the Canadian Consular services might be of any help but it won't hurt asking them. . It seems you might be stuck in Mexico until you get a replacement . If this robbery happened last week in Cd Mexico , where are you now and how did you already arrange for the replacement license to be sent to your home ?
This is just speculation , but consular services are supposed to help their nationals with problems .
Check with the Canadian embassy in Cd Mexico , maybe they can speed up the replacing formalities and get the new piece of plastic , not just a paper facsimile , shipped using their diplomatic mail . I know a DL is not a passport , but it is a form of provincial government document .
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Old 9 Jan 2019
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Originally Posted by kevin.kingma44 View Post
I've heard that before, a quick flight home ill be dropping a good $1,000. not to mention bike storage and additional expenses, time is also sensitive aswell.

ok smart guy. keep on with your trip through central america without a valid license. just be sure to tell us how much more than $1000 it costs you when your bike gets impounded and they refuse to give it back to you until you show them a valid license.


perhaps you need to be told: central america is an "anything can happen" place. one cop may warn you while the next guy handcuffs you. nicaragua right now, is NOT the place to be screwing around. the cops have become quite the murderous bunch and have ZERO patience for anyone.


a good friend of mine used to tell his kids, "ok wise guy. just remember, hard head makes a soft ass!"
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Old 10 Jan 2019
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I had my wallet stolen while living in Mexico, including my drivers licence. Yes, it was a royal pain. There was no way I could get a new one issued without showing up at the motor vehicles branch in BC in person, so I ended up flying back on my next holiday and getting a replacement licence.

I had a color photocopy laminated, and kept that in my wallet from then on and kept the legit licence hidden away. I only ever had to show the photocopy once or twice, and I never had any problems with it being a copy.

Sorry about your hassle.
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Old 11 Jan 2019
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You won't be able to cross borders in Central America without your license. And you're probably going to have troubles with your temporary license.

Sorry to say mate: you need your license.
Your problem is not if you can ride without a license, it's rather how to get a duplicate as quick as possible
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Old 13 Sep 2020
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I was going to ask if you had made copies of your travel documents. Passport, license, credit cards, etc. Because if you had, it's possible you could have a copy printed and laminated in-country before you cross the next border.

I traveled throughout Mexico and Central America on a laminated copy of my drivers license for several months in 2007. I kept several copies on hand, and my original license was kept under the seat of my motorcycle. Technology might be a little different now, but nobody ever questioned my license.

But... I did want to ask the details of the robbery. I'm planning to head to Mexico in a few months, so it would be nice to know what happened, and how it might be avoided in the future.

Good luck on your travels.

Jamie
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Old 15 Sep 2020
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Yeah , I also would be interested in hearing those details , but more importantly how KEVIN resolved his problem and how the rest of that ride in 2019 turned out .
Kevin , are you still out there? Unfortunately Kevin has not given a peep here on HU since that last post of January 2019 , and only five posts before that in 2018 . Those five posts were asking some basic questions about e. g insurance , documents ,etc . for the countries Kevin was planning to ride through, but he did not respond in any way to the suggestions either , so maybe none of the advice “ took” .
How about it Kevin , are you still a rider ?
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Old 15 Sep 2020
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Originally Posted by Sjoerd Bakker View Post
Yeah , I also would be interested in hearing those details , but more importantly how KEVIN resolved his problem and how the rest of that ride in 2019 turned out .
Oops! Got me on the date. I don't usually miss that.
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Old 15 Sep 2020
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Yes - it would be good to hear from Kevin and find out how he dealt with his dilemma.
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