Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Driving license BIG Problem Driving license BIG Problem
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 5 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
Have a look at some of the big Car Hire companies websites, they will have some details about carrying licences and/or the IDP acceptance.

The IDP is a moot point at the moment as you cannot get one without producing a valid licence anyway.

Not having the right paperwork on you will, 99% of the time not be an issue - its the 1% that causes 99% of the aggro. You leave yourself open to having the bike impounded, you arrested, or some corrupt copper adding to their retirement fund. I'd wait for the licence so that I could really enjoy the trip without the worry that every time I came in contact with officialdom they would find the problem.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 6 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Warrington UK
Posts: 703
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots View Post
I think you will find that in France and Germany, at least, If the cops stop you and you have no licence, You will not be allowed to drive any further.

Its one of the bits you are required to have. I was stopped in a car a few years ago without my licence. My passenger had to take over as he had his with him.

John
.
Im'e with Redboots on this one.
They, the poilce will want to see your licence if you are stopped.
Any thing else, will not count.

I wouldn't risk it, as much as you want to go, it could end in tears.
I am not even sure a scanned copy would be sufficient ?

'vette
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 6 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 183
Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette View Post
.
I am not even sure a scanned copy would be sufficient ?
As for Germany a scanned copy is irrelavant, they want to see the real thing. If you try to make it look like it's the real thing and they spot it's fake, you're looking at a forgery charge.

Then again I get stopped about once every 2 - 3 years and I'd reckon I do few more km in Germany than you would.
__________________
Projekt Balkan
www.buebo.de - Der tägliche Wahnsinn
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 6 Jun 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bucks, UK
Posts: 642
Personally I'd get an IDP and say I'd lost/stolen the driving license if asked.(what would you do if that had really happened, you're not going to end your trip, fly home and ship the bike back)
I've only ever been asked for passport or ownership paperwork NEVER a driving license.

Pete
__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 6 Jun 2010
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette View Post
.
Im'e with Redboots on this one.
They, the poilce will want to see your licence if you are stopped.
Any thing else, will not count.

I wouldn't risk it, as much as you want to go, it could end in tears.
I am not even sure a scanned copy would be sufficient ?

'vette
What about a situation where your licence was physically lost or stolen during your travels?

Would you stop travelling until a replacement licence was issued from your home country?. Here in Australia you have to reapply in person to obtain a replacement - does that mean I should fly home to get another one then fly back to whichever country I was in?

What if this happened to me in 2008 when I was in Russia? It takes one month to obtain a Russian visa - does that mean I leave my motorcycle in Russia for a month whilst I obtain another visa in Australia? Would the Russian authorities let me leave the country without also exporting the bike?. ....

... and so on, and so on.

I think it's fair to say that having a hard copy of your documents is sufficient to get you by and if I were jamesallen I would be heading off on my planned start day and having some one in the UK emailing a scanned copy of the licence once it is received and then forwarding the original of the licence to an address in a country where I plan to be on an agreed date.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 7 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
Quote:
Originally Posted by farqhuar View Post
What if this happened to me in 2008 when I was in Russia? It takes one month to obtain a Russian visa - does that mean I leave my motorcycle in Russia for a month whilst I obtain another visa in Australia? Would the Russian authorities let me leave the country without also exporting the bike?. ....
I think people are making too big of a deal out of this. Russian police have absolutely no idea what a british drivers license looks like. An IDP works fine, and if you're worried about losing it, get more than one...
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 7 Jun 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bucks, UK
Posts: 642
I think a few people should read the other posts more carefully You can get an IDP through the post using photocopies of the original docs.
__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Problem with driving licence in Argentina malgorzata SOUTH AMERICA 3 24 Feb 2010 01:50
Using a UK Car driving license for biking round SA Lemming SOUTH AMERICA 4 11 Feb 2010 16:39
Transalp - problem electric - anyone had similar problem? ta-all-the-way Honda Tech 7 15 Jan 2008 09:54
Driving license needed? Gregorius North Africa 14 3 Sep 2007 18:13
Indian Driving License Valid in UK???? dodosamuel Trip Paperwork 5 16 May 2005 01:55

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:35.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top