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Crossing columbian/ecuador/peru border without drivers license Crossing columbian/ecuador/peru border without drivers license
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  • 2 Post By NewbRider
  • 2 Post By mika
  • 1 Post By chris
  • 1 Post By markharf

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  #1  
Old 5 Dec 2019
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Crossing columbian/ecuador/peru border without drivers license
Hi guys,

Long story short I had a major screw-up while preparing for our trip and ignored rule #1. Checking the expiry dates of all my paperwork! I tried to renew my drivers license in time but I missed it by one day unfortunately. I didnt think too much of it though as I know we have a friend meeting us in peru in January and im confident that you don't need a drivers license to buy a motorcycle in colombia.

I just read up on crossing the Colombia-Ecuador border and there seems to be mixed info on requiring a driver license. Peru seems even more strict about requiring a drivers license. Would anyone be able to give some up to date info on the requirements for crossing the border?

I do have an International driver license but I know it holds no real value.. I can also easily obtain a copy of my renewed license so I'm wondering if that would be enough?

My fiance is travelling with me and will be riding a motorcycle as well so I'm assuming that we can always register both bikes under her name and get her to obtain a temporary permit for each border crossing?

I tried searching the forum for any up to date info but feel free to direct me if there is an obvious answer to this, thanks everyone for your help!
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  #2  
Old 6 Dec 2019
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1 person can't enter with two vehicles on their name. Just to rule that out.

I've never been asked for my licence here in a year of travelling. I wouldn't be bothered at all about it being expired
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  #3  
Old 6 Dec 2019
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IDP
If asked for a driving license, show your International license ... I never had a problem with that. But if you are not confident enough, just laminate a color copy of your license and show that if they dont accept your International license.

Be aware what NewbRider said, very good point.

Relax and enjoy your ride, but make sure you dont overstay your bikes temporary import permit for each country you are gonna visit.

saludos
mika
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  #4  
Old 6 Dec 2019
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This is great news guys thank you for clearing that up! Also really good to know that one person can't import 2 motorcycles!

I will try to see if I can get a good laminated copy in bogota and will go with that as backup!
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  #5  
Old 6 Dec 2019
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Bolivia
And if Bolivia is on your list, come to Samaipata and I will invite you for a or two.

mika
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  #6  
Old 7 Dec 2019
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Just make a photocopy of your driver license and you will be fine since every officer south of the border is stupid ...yeah right !!!

Since nobody mentioned it before, just keep in mind that riding without a valid driver license is illegal , even in Latin America .

Good luck and ride safe
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  #7  
Old 7 Dec 2019
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IDP
Quote:
riding without a valid driver license is illegal
@guaterider

maybe you should have read the post, they have a valid IDP International drivers license ... and this can be used even North of the border, where every officer is the smartest person in the village.

mika
Last edited by mika; 7 Dec 2019 at 19:31. Reason: ;-)
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  #8  
Old 7 Dec 2019
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In 2016 on one of my South American bike trips I came upon an unavoidable (mobile/ narco??) police checkpoint (rode around a sharp curve and there they were) in southern Ecuador. They wanted to see everything. So I showed all my usual stash of laminated colour copies of the bike docs and an oem, but expired (by 6 months), UK/EU driver's licence. The policeman clocked the expired expiry date. So out came the new in-date DL, with an apology on my part...

He spoke good English and by the look of their vehicles/ uniforms/ demeanors they were much better trained/ qualified that the usual talentless types whom I would try my "no fumar Espanol" on.
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  #9  
Old 8 Dec 2019
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Drivers licence
I was riding around Peru Bolivia Argentina and Chile last year and earlier this year. Many border crossings and a few police checks. Never once was I asked for a drivers licence. The only documents used were the passport and the ownership papers for the bike. But you had better have a driver's licence if you are involved in a accident or stopped by the police for a traffic violation. For the record I was never asked to show the insurance papers either
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  #10  
Old 10 Dec 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mika View Post
@guaterider

maybe you should have read the post, they have a valid IDP International drivers license

mika
I did read it well , but the international driver license is no good without your national one backing it up .
I guess you knew that , otherwise why would you have suggested the fishy photocopy solution ...

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  #11  
Old 10 Dec 2019
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IDP
Quote:
I did read it well , but the international driver license is no good without your national one backing it up .
I guess you knew that , otherwise why would you have suggested the fishy photocopy solution ...
I have never been asked for my national license, when I showed the IDP (International driving permit) ... and most of the time I dont even carry my national license, why would I? I have the IDP.

What you are suggesting, is that the IDP is not enough. It has been for me, and I have traveled for years. If its true what you say, then the IDP is worthless.

I suggested a copy. I never told them that they should tell somebody that this is the real thing. Their IDP is real and valid, and for me this has been enough. So, if somebody (which I dont think will happen) will ask for their national license they can show a copy.

As I dont know all the laws about IDPs, and maybe its only valid with your national license. So maybe you are right and a IDP is worthless and I stand corrected.

mika
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  #12  
Old 10 Dec 2019
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As I dont know all the laws about IDPs, and maybe its only valid with your national license.


Yes you don't know, and yes, it is worthless without a valid national license, but no, it is not worthless with a national license. Worse, there are actually two international agreements each with a unique IDP and that also applies in South America and will soon involve the Brits who cross to Europe and who are already getting both IDPs just in case.

I agree that for most of us an IDP is a total waste of money until it really is needed, either by a policeman who knows the rules, or more likely, by the clerk at a car rental place that insists on also seeing the IDP
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  #13  
Old 10 Dec 2019
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The IDP has validity only in that it is a translation of an accompanying, valid license. The fact that some law enforcement personnel may not know or care doesn't alter this simple truth.

This makes you vulnerable in the event that someone in a position of power DOES know or care--at a border, a traffic stop, a routine checkpoint, an accident involving authorities or an insurance company. You might travel for years on an IDP (or more likely successive IDPs, since as far as I know they're all valid for just one year), but then again you might find your trip suddenly interrupted. The same is true of other dodges that many of us have used from time to time--photoshopped documents, fake student IDs or expired vehicle insurance policies, etc. etc. etc.

To me, it always seems worth understanding how stuff like this really works; otherwise, how can I make rational decisions about where to follow the law and where to bend the rules? I mean, not that I would ever bend the rules....
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  #14  
Old 11 Dec 2019
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Thanks everyone for the continued advice. i know of course that it is not the optimal way to travel knowing I don't have my valid ID with me but I will take the risk for the time being and my friend will bring the official document with her when she arrives in peru. So fingers crossed for the month or so in between!
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  #15  
Old 14 Dec 2019
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I'm of the old school, why would you take a risk that could screw your life. I don't have in mind border crossing which could lead your motorcycle being confiscated, but like being involved in an accident and hurt or kill someone or damage someone's property. The consequences could be desastrous.
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