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No motorcycle licence --- SA + CA Problems? No motorcycle licence --- SA + CA Problems?
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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



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  #1  
Old 19 Feb 2008
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Question No motorcycle licence --- SA + CA Problems?
Hello,


I'm on a long trip and headed to SA soon. I was hopping to buy a motorcycle try and make it back the US. I don't have a motorcycle licence and wont be going back to the states before my hopeful journey north. I have sent in an application for a International Drivers Permit and hopefully it will be waiting for me in Santiago, but I don't have too much confidence in that.

Does anybody know if I could get a moto licence in Santiago?
Or if I could make it back up to the US driving a motorcyle with just a normal US licence? (My drivers licence says Vehicles less than 26,001 lbs)
Would customs or police in any of these countries know the difference?
:confused1:

Cheers!
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  #2  
Old 19 Feb 2008
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No problems - i think
Hey wyatt,

I am using a Canadian car learners drivers licence and no worries in CA and SA so far and i am an Australian. The only problem was when a cop said that it had expired, he was looking at the issue date!!!

Tim
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  #3  
Old 20 Feb 2008
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Talking Idp
You will be out of luck. An International Drivers Permit can only be issued to somebody who already has a valid drivers license in his home jurisdiction and such IDP can only be validated for the classes of vehicle for which that home license is valid.
Ergo if you do not have a motorcycle license if such is required in your home country than the IDP cannot include such validation. If your home country makes no such distictions you might be able to get away with it. Also, I seem to recall that an IDP must be obtained from the relevant issuing agents ( e.g auto club) in your home country ,best done before leaving home so they can see your original license.
Do not expect to get a motorcycle and tractor-trailer valid IDP on the strength of a history of riding around on a mo-ped and pick-up truck
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http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93
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  #4  
Old 3 Mar 2008
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International Driver License/Permit
Can anyone tell me if an International Driver License/Permit required when traveling in another country. I plan to travel from the US thru South America.
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  #5  
Old 3 Mar 2008
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I believe that in some countries there is supposed to be a requirement for an International Driving Licence, including here in Colombia. I've travelled in 14 countries of South and Central America I've never had one, and I've never been asked for one.
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Last edited by Stretcher Monkey; 3 Mar 2008 at 04:40.
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  #6  
Old 3 Mar 2008
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Get a License
Fundamental - If you are going to drive a motorcycle, get a license.

It not just a good idea, it's the law.
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  #7  
Old 3 Mar 2008
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With the greatest respect...
Quote:
Originally Posted by tprata56 View Post
Fundamental - If you are going to drive a motorcycle, get a license.

It not just a good idea, it's the law.
That doesn't answer the question.
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How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
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  #8  
Old 3 Mar 2008
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Don't worry
In my experience in Africa no cop had a clue what your license covers you to drive/ride. No one checked that the license covered me to drive a 10 ton truck; all they were interested in was that the license said 'drivers license'.

I travelled with my wife and we both got International licenses before we left. Both licenses were issued to cover any vehicle including Motorcycles despite the fact that neither of us have bike licenses and she hasn't got a truck license.

You do need to check though that your insurance will be valid. Here in the UK all insurance policies have a condition that you have a license covering the vehicle you're driving/riding or are not disqualified from holding such a license.

Q
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  #9  
Old 3 Mar 2008
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Get a lic. if you are pullled over in california without a motorcycle lic they will impound your bike for 30 days. not only a hefty fine, but towing, impound fees etc may add up to more than what your bike is worth.
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  #10  
Old 4 Mar 2008
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Find a local source for one of these...

Fake ID Cards, UK Driving Licence, Student ID

Some have motorcycle entitlement. I will be carrying a few on my trip for suspect stops.
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  #11  
Old 4 Mar 2008
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Nice link Darren - sweet!

Any idea where I can get a fake log book?

PS: Do you think we'll have the Feds onto us for this?
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How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
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  #12  
Old 8 Mar 2008
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You would be better with real documents. I only carry fakes so I can keep the originals safe. If they do a proper check in the 'States' you may be screwed without geniune documents.
I have high quality copies of my log books which look good enough for casual inspection.
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  #13  
Old 8 Mar 2008
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I wish
Ooh, "real documents". The chance would be a fine thing. No, my bike gains credibility from a photocopy of a sort of official looking thing that folds into quarters and will eventually become 4 separate documents. It's main authority comes drom the number of staples and numerical stamps that render it a sort of "patina".
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How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
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  #14  
Old 15 Feb 2011
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driving in S.A
hello all im wondering if anyone can help me???

i want to get a bike but do not have a licence, i do have a UAE drivers licence does that cover bikes too?????

please help

thanks
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