IDP Motorcycle endorsement absolutely necessary?
 

Hey all,

I'm planning on buying a motorcycle in Chile and driving through Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. I do not yet have my motorcycle license in the States (I'm planning on getting it this weekend, but I'm also not in my home state....this could be a problem, but I'm not sure). I'm on a really tight time schedule right now: I'm doing my course this weekend, July 18 and 19, and my flight leaves on July 20. My main question is: Do the border patrol officers thoroughly check one's IDP to make sure they have the proper MOTORCYCLE certification? And what are the consequences if I try to pass with only an automobile certification? Thanks for the help guys!

The IDP is something that is very rarely checked, in fact I have never had it checked for South or Central America whether hiring, buying or shipping a bike.

Checks have always been done on my licence, when hiring they knew what to look for. When buying in Chile they do not appear to check your entitlement when registering.

When crossing borders they appear to be happy to see you have a licence and in some cases insurance (Chile/Argentina, sometimes Bolivia).

Which brings us to the insurance, just in case you fail your bike test and are tempted to carry on. If you don't have a licence you will invalidate your insurance and leave yourself wide open to major claims. As a rule it would also invalidate your travel insurance as well.

Doesn't your normal license have a motor cycle endorsement on it.

As for the IDP - never been asked for it but always carry one because many countries specify that it must be carried.

It really depends on where you are and who is asking. Last year in Thailand I went through a police checkpoint - they asked to see my licence so I gave them my Australian (Victorian) licence, they gave it straight back and said No, we want the IDP. I showed them that and immediately we were back on our way with a smile from the policeman.