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Motorbike license and use in other countries? Motorbike license and use in other countries?
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  #1  
Old 13 Apr 2010
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Motorbike license and use in other countries?
Hi,

I recently arrived in Australia from the UK on a working holiday visa. I have been thinking about getting a low powered bike (about 125cc) and travelling around Aus on it. The problem is that I do not have a driver's license, or a motorcycle license. I am also planning on riding the bike through South East Asia and to Thailand.

What kind of license would I need for this? Would I need a full bike license (which would take over a year to qualify for), and then get an international license? Or would I have to have a current Driver's license to be able to apply for an international license?

From what I have gathered from the very small amount of information I have found, is that the international license is linked to the license from wherever you applied for it? So if I got a license in Australia that allowed me to ride a 125cc motorbike, and then applied for an international license I would then be able to ride said bike in all other countries which accept the international license?

I have looked everywhere for information on this and am not getting very far so would really appreciate some help!

Thanks a lot,
Tom.
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  #2  
Old 13 Apr 2010
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The International Driving Permit is merely a standardised translation of your national licence. This means that you need a full licence to get one. I wouldn't go without any licence at all.

I have an IDP, but so far have never had to show it.
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  #3  
Old 13 Apr 2010
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Okay thanks. So you're saying you wouldn't advise it unless I had a full driving license? Even if I had an Oz bike license which enabled me to ride a bike up to 250cc? Cheers
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  #4  
Old 13 Apr 2010
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I guess any licence will do, as long as it looks ok. My wife had a temporary Thai licence and she had to show it in Indo, no problems. However, there was no cc restriction on it.

Worst case: you may have to pay a fine (most likely in Thailand, I think, although I've never had to show any licence there).

There is also an outfit on the net that sells and International Driving Licence to anybody who pays. In theory this is not a valid licence at all, but in practice I think it will pass in Asia.

However, if you only just arrived why don't you start the process of getting a licence in Oz now, so you have a full licence when you are ready to travel? Perhaps you can extend your stay in Oz for the purpose. Just an idea...
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  #5  
Old 13 Apr 2010
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The main reason apart from the time is the cost, as I am traveling now it is hard to save money. I plan to save around $8000 before I leave if I can, and this includes the cost of the bike (around $1200 for a postie bike (Honda CT110)) and the journey including food, fuel and accommodation or camping. I'd have to wait at least a year to be able to do the full bike test here. It would be an option, but if I could legally ride through Asia on just a 250cc license i'd rather do that, if that license is still considered legal outside of Aus?
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Old 13 Apr 2010
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If you are saying you want to travel from Oz to Thailand on $8000 then you are cutting it pretty fine, I think.

You could try contacting the Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai embassies to find out, but I wouldn't hold my breath to obtain any useful info that way.

If the licence looks like a real licence then I would just go. Even if it does say 'restricted to 250 cc' the you should still be ok riding a 250. Most cops will not know what an Oz licence looks like anyway.
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  #7  
Old 4 May 2022
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Have used www.idl-services.com same concept with no problems many borders/police etc.

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Old 4 May 2022
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IDL services is NOT for real, and they're kind enough to say so right on the page you linked:

"International Driving Permits, which are booklets issued by governmental agencies or private organizations designated by a country's government, are the only official translation of a person's Driver's License. Our translation has no official status and does not confer any legal privileges or rights on consumers."

Now, that doesn't mean it won't pass inspection by various authorities. It does mean that if you run into anyone knowledgeable who happens to be in a vindictive mood, you may pay the price.

I started reading the International Drivers Association page, but I got bored and quit after finding the statement saying their product isn't valid for US residents, of which I'm one. I'd guess their story is the same, i.e., despite all the claims of conformity to UN standards and treaties, the documents they're selling aren't valid. Probably this will never matter on the ground...at least until it does.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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Old 4 May 2022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drkiwi View Post
Have used www.idl-services.com same concept with no problems many borders/police etc.

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Perfect - Thank you!
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  #10  
Old 4 May 2022
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They are for real, I have bought and used in many many countries. However I believe that ONLY the international driver's licence/permit issued from the country (normally the national motoring association) your normal licence was issued is Legal.



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  #11  
Old 4 May 2022
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We could quibble about the definition of "for real." You say it means one thing, I say something else. My point was that it's not a legal international permit--just a nice-looking document. I believe we're agreeing about that.
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