using copies of documents abroad
 

If the driving license have been stolen or lost or damaged normally you can get the new one by mail. Unfortunately russian officials can not make it. I must visit the police office personally. It is not so easy if I am travelling somewhere too far from home. Has anybody an experience with using the copy of driving license or copy of registration certificate in US and South America? I am afraid of being outlawed using copies without original. Concerning the driving license I think to make a copy of my original license and obtain the IAA official translation form. Any suggestions.

Alex

From memory the russian licence are almost identical to the international drivers permit - why dont you get that too.. As soon as your overseas, they have no idea about licences, hand them something that looks like one... with the right details on. I have two, NZ and Aus and an IDP. I always hand out the australian one as that is the easiest to replace for me. I only ever hand over the IDP when they are really pushing it.

So, here is what I would do in your position.
If you still have your licence, then i would make a back up scan and print your licence then laminate it give this one to the police... never the original - if possible

As MM says, scan, photocopy and laminate the original, nowhere in SA or CA did I have any difficulties with using my licence, even though I knew it was the wrong address :)

I had two IDL, one for each official DL with different addresses

I recall having to produce my IDL once, they had no idea what it was and I had to show them the Spanish translation page, but they were then happy, probably more happy to read Spanish than anything else.

Take copies, good ones in colour and no dramas :)

Cheers
TS

Thanks guys. I already made a color copies of both sides of my license and laminated it. There are no one word in english. It is really useless document abroad. No one can read anything except russian speakers. So I will take a copy of my license and the official translation from IAA. But in States what I can say to the police. Will be they satisfied with the copies?

I have been driving and riding in Russia for 7 years and get stopped regularly in the routine 'random' documents checks (probably because of a car with an unusual, and very short, UK registration plate or being on a less usual dual-sport moto, or in remote areas). It also happens in my RUS registered car, but not as often.

I have never ever produced my proper UK Driving Licence (which has an address now 11 years out of date!!).
I always give them an IDP already open at the page in Russian. They invariably seem pleased with a document they can at least read, even if it is completely unfamiliar to them. After exchanging usual pleasantries, and perhaps a joke, I am always quickly on my way again without a problem.

Get a copy, a GOOD colour copy and how will they know the difference?

Always give your copy over first, that way you will always have the original.

The US are not that bad though, I only had to show mine once :)

And what I showed was the IDL, not the actual drivers licence

Cheers
TS

Thanks guys! I already made a color laminated copies. Hope it will be enough.

Alex