I've been stressed to the point of getting blurred vision and feeling ill. Mainly because 2 weeks from setting off to South America for an 8 month ride, after lots of research, i find i can't get my motorcycle license in California as planned (I'm Australian). There it's a weekend course and a ticket to ride within a week or so.

In Australia it's a weekend course, Learner's Permit for 3 months and then another test to get your License (a 12 month Provisional one at that).

So now i've found out that i can't get one in LA unless i have a 'work visa', despite 4 riding schools there telling me it will be no problem. I've booked in for a riding course and to get my Learner's Permit this weekend in Australia (a week before i leave!) and it looks like i can ride with a Driver's License (+International Driving Permit) in Mexico, Peru (and I'm guessing Bolivia) but in Argentina, Chile and Columbia i will need a Motorcycle License to be covered by my travel insurance and third party insurance that i buy at the borders.

So after telling my buddy 3 times this week that i'm going/not going/going again and so on, I am so over the stress of it that i've decided (despite being someone who has to tick every box) to just go, buy a bike in LA, dash to the Mexican border and hope for the best.

I'm open to comment, or a kick in the backside if that's in order, but to get this close to an 8 month tour of South America only to get held back by BS redtape that really shouldn't be there between 2 countries such as America and Australia.... argh! I'm even considering a $2000 flight back to Australia for a week in December just to sit a test to get my full license!

My main concerns are hitting someone or something and the compulsory third party insurance i buy at each countries border not holding up to cover someone or something i might hit, and the other is not being covered myself for medical with my travel insurance in an accident. I've heard on here that bribe or a date with Photoshop opens doors, but... ????....

Other than the longwinded concerns above i think i can feel the tiny inklings of excitement creeping in...

Any thoughts appreciated?

PS. I have found a travel insurance company that will cover me for medical in a mishap IF i have entered into a country 'ignorant' of the license requirements there and as long as the officials grant me entry. Just as long as i don't 'find out' that i need i a motorcycle license in that country and stay under 200cc...