Hi,

Can people get away with driving a small motorcycle (250cc or less) with a full EU driving licence in south america? We are hoping to travel through peru, argentina, chile, brazil, uruguay and bolivia. One of the passengers does not have a motorbike licence but would love to do some riding. What would the implications be if the person got caught from the police riding without a licence?

I am aware that you should have a motorbike licence in your home country when you are abroad if you are using a motorbike. However, i am wondering if countries in south america would accept a full driving licence in its place. I have been to many other countries where this is possible. I hear the cops are mainly interested in seeing your passport, insurance and ownership docs when they pull you over rather than a driving licence. Is this true?

P.s. i am also aware of the insurance implications.

I have researched into getting a licence for the passenger when we get to SA because it is not possible to do so in our own country now. However, it doesnt sound like its possible for a foreigner on a tourist visa to get a motorbike licence.

Thanks

I rode through every country in South America except Chile and Paraguay and produced my New Jersey driver's license at each border. There is only a small indication on the document that shows I am authorized to operate a motorcycle. Chances are low that all of the officials processing my papers could read the license well enough to know if I was licensed or not. Going from Brazil to Uruguay the official had such bad eye sight that I gently took the paper form from him and completed the VIN number portion, which he had butchered... That said all you need is one official with excellent comprehension of English and you *may be* sunk. I say it that way because the next person posting could easily and with experience say no country in South America requires a motorcycle endorsement on a license.

The more important consideration is rider experience. If your friend doesn't have a license now, are they planning on learning how to ride in South America? If this is the case, then let me put this it this way (with love and respect), is your friend f*cking nuts? It can take all of your wits to navigate the mountain twisties and urban traffic insanity. And your friend wants to operate a motorcycle on bad roads and in some places where on coming drivers are seeking trophies, with at best limited experience? Think it through.

I took my first adventure into Mexico and Central America after only riding for ~18 or 20 months. To prepare myself I took a motorcycle safety course (class room and practical), then took two long overland trips (some where around 2200 miles combined), and rode to work a lot. With that much under my belt, I sucked on gravel. And there was gravel. My curves skills improved more after that trip when I took a performance turns class.

One the other hand, Ted Simon wrote that he was trying to figure out how to shift as he left the Triumph factory (they lent/gave him a motorcycle) and he was on he epic journey a few days later...

__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride

Apologies, my question has came out sounding quite bladly when i have read it back.

By no means would the passenger be looking to ride any long lengths or in any cities for that matter. They just wanted to have a go on a small part of quite road that was all.

Also, we werent trying to sound like we were being disrespectful to any SA country by flowting any laws. We would happily take a course/exam to get a licence if it was possible. I was simply referring to the fact that i have rode through several countries in asia, including one which does not permit any foreigner to ride a motorcycle, and no one was too bothered about licences or even having one. Others have mentioned that parts of SA were similar, which is why i asked the question.

Again, apologies if it came across badly. Is anyone aware if a foreigner on a tourist visa can get a motorbike licence? I figure this is very unlikely as a tourist. At least that way, they could take the test and drive legally if they felt like doing so.

I`ve been asked to produce my license a few times but in general you are not asked for it when buying the bike or getting the paperwork sorted. I suppose it is just generally assumed that you are legally entitled to operate the said vehicle are you are about to buy or register. Boarder patrol only wanted to see the padron for the bike, my passport and that as about it. In Argentina, they asked if I had insurance but did not ask to see the actual documentation, just waved me through no questions asked. If I rear ended a aduana car no doubt they would ask to see it then!

This is just a flat out no basically. To drive vehicles aboard you need to be legally licensed to drive them in your own country. I feel a bit of a hypocrite saying it is a daft idea to drive around unlicensed as I did a few times in India, but well I was lucky, if you hit someone or damage someones property, you can certainly expect the police to scrutinize your documentation and if something is amiss expect to be in very hot water. Having an accident in another country is already a mess without being on the wrong side of the law.

Drive safe!

In Brazil you don't need a license to buy a vehicle, but you need one to drive or ride it. The officials on the borders are Customs Officers. They don't care about your license, but about your property. On the other hand, highway police will stop riders on the road, and check their documents throughly. Also, in any accident, if you are not properly licensed you will be liable even if you had right of way. Furthermore traffic here is much more difficult for a bike than it is in the USA, even in big cities like Los Angeles, Chicago or New York. Sharing lanes is a must and you need fast reflexes:

http://youtu.be/V6o5-GRtuAQ

Riding here is not a task for beginners!

I've been riding in South America for over 6 years and the only time I have been asked for my driving licence was so that they could hold it to extract a bribe. Never in Chile. I carry six copies of my licence sealed in plastic. If they ask where the original is I say back down the road with police in another district that wanted a bribe. I have Always gotten away with getting my copy back.


Do the Ruta 40 while you still can. The Argentina gov are going to tarmac it.

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The Gypsy
Second star on the right.
Then straight on till morning.