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...

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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'07 DL1000 '08 DR650

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

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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Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map

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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'07 DL1000 '08 DR650

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.

Sorry for the late reply. Its been 2 years and your all probably worried sick thinking ive got murdered!

Im safe and back home... as for an update on the I.D. that was stolen, I contacted service Ontario and they sent another copy. This unfortunately took 4 weeks, as my first application for a new I.D. was completed incorrectly (i found this out after waiting for 2 weeks) so I had to wait another 2 weeks and they sent the drivers license to my Ontario address and then my family had to mail it down to Mexico. I was also issued a new Debit card from my bank... I received this after 1 week.

The funny thing about these mishaps is the new experiences you make because of this. For example I had a tinder date I kept in touch with in CDMX, after this happened she took me in, I lived with her for those 4 weeks, we made some crazzy memories and went on some amazing adventures. Spending those 4 weeks with her was a major highlight of the trip, if i didnt get robbed by thugs I never would have made those memories..

Funny how life works sometimes!

P.S. I made it as far as El Salvador and had to turn around,, maybe next year Argentina..

P.P.S. sorry to keep everyone waiting for this, I will be more accessible in the future... I usually get reminders of messages on my phone but that was stolen aswell lol

Kevin, glad to hear it all worked out -and welcome back to HU!

Sometimes a little detour is a good thing, or at least an experience

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

very glad it finally worked out...and to know that tinder worked as well!

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'07 DL1000 '08 DR650

I forgot to mention if this happens to anyone else. My 2 options were to request a new I.D. which can take anywhere from 3-5 weeks or fly home and get a new one on the spot. I heard of this happening to another traveller, however he had a friend back home who looked very similar to him... his friend went to service Ontario pretending to be him, got the license on the spot and mailed it to him the next day.... I wouldn't advise this route but its still an option