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South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 23 Oct 2017
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No driving licenses at all, need one and bike
Hey guys I've tried to search without proper answers so I'd like to buy a motorcycle and drive around South America. I don't have driving license at all in my home country and only thing I have is a moped license since I was 16 and that one I use as my ID here. Now I'm 26 and feel that I want to do this.

Anyways, what I've covered so far is that in Paraguay is the best chance to buy a motorcycle with papers and license as well. Is that license valid in other SA countries as well? How about other countries outside of SA? What would be my best option? I don't want to wait for courses here until spring and pay 1000 EUR for a license. I'm leaving to SA after a month and I will have plenty of time there.
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  #2  
Old 23 Oct 2017
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
Posts: 895
Paraguay
Hola Akuankka (thats Donald Duck in Finnish, correct?),

I dont know if you can get a license in Paraguay without being a resident, but you can try. Here in Bolivia you have to be a resident to get a Bolivian license.

More important than the license down here is, that you can ride your bike in all situations and on all roads. So please learn how to ride properly. Get somebody to teach you, spend enough time learning how to handle your bike before you start your journey.

Maybe somebody else here on the forum can tell you where in SA you can get a license.

Enjoy your ride.
Suerte
mika
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  #3  
Old 23 Oct 2017
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Posts: 3
That's some good trivia indeed, Mika.

I appreciate your advice to handle the bike. Will do!

Some people have written here that they've bought a license with bike by paying a bit extra. Only thing is that even if I get some national license, should I get also an international translation? How it would look if a Finnish guy drives with Paraguayan license only?
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  #4  
Old 25 Oct 2017
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
Posts: 895
driving license
Terve Aku,

Quote:
should I get also an international translation?
if you get in South America it will be in Spanish or Portugese, and for this you dont need a translation here.

Quote:
How it would look if a Finnish guy drives with Paraguayan license only?
no problem about this, as long as it is valid and it has your name and pic on it.

enjoy your journey.
mika
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  #5  
Old 29 Oct 2017
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Posts: 14
Hey,

I've driven from Bolivia, through Peru and Ecuador with just my german car license. Mostly I used the international drivers license (issued in Germany). It was very easy to "adapat" it a bit as the crosses for which vehicles I'm allowed to drive were done manually with a pen.

Might sound a bit sketchy, however my experience is, that you need an officially looking document with your name and photo, that says you're allowed to drive a bike. It is not that important what kind of document that is, as local police officers neither know how your national nor your international license is supposed to look like.

In Peru there were a lot of of check points. I got stopped mainly there (at least 4 or 5 times).

Moreover, I had almost no driving experience before (except on some shitty 100ccs in south east asia some years ago). You will learn by driving, but take it slowly in the beginning!

Enjoy!
Hauke
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  #6  
Old 6 Nov 2017
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Location: Maplewood NJ USA
Posts: 588
still buying a bike?
If you are still in the market to by a bike, consider going to Peru. Contact charapashanperu on HorizonsUnimited and he'll set you up. I bought a 250cc bike from him and store it with him when I return home. The price a right and the mechanics are top notch. The paperwork putting the bike in you name will take a few days and you'll be good to leave the country. Send me a private message if you want more info, Peru is a great country to start a South America trip.

PS: Do you have a plan on what you will do with your motorcycle when the trip is over?
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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
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