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Riding through SA with No liscence...possible?! Riding through SA with No liscence...possible?!
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 17 Feb 2006
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Riding through SA with No liscence...possible?!
Hi Guys,

A friend and I are leaving in a couple of weeks for Argentina with the hope of picking up some kind of bike out there. One problem....Neither of us have any kind of biking license, I have a learners driving License from the UK and my friend has a full car driving liscence but i fear that these might be a lttle irrelevent. Is it possible maybe that we could buy some weak bikes that do not require a license, like a 125 or something? or could we even take the bike riding test for argentina maybe?

Any comments greatly appreciated.

Regards Garth vG
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  #2  
Old 21 Feb 2006
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Location: Heading to Ushuaia
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when we crossed lat am last year i cant recall anytime when possesion of a formal, current lic would've ever mattered. if you have SOMETHING that even resembles a lic you may well be able to get away w/ it. the lic i always carried, for example, was a laminted color photocopy of a current lic (w/ moto lic included) that i showed everyone. practically no one who will be checking your lic speaks english and travelers forge documents all the time to get across customs.

now then, i am NOT recommending you wander into a foreign country w/ forged documents and hope that no one catches you. my point is that i've never, ever heard of anyone getting caught doing it.

hope that helps.
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  #3  
Old 22 Feb 2006
yuma simon's Avatar
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If you read the post about the corrupt Argentinian cops in one part of Argentina, then it seems that all you really need is a lot of cash...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000432.html

[This message has been edited by yuma simon (edited 22 February 2006).]
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  #4  
Old 26 Feb 2006
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Two of us are currently travelling in Argentina. There are police checks at the entrance to many towns and we have been asked to show our international licences on various occasions. So far no hassle and no corruption (we are now in Mendoza making our way up from Ushuaia).
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  #5  
Old 1 Apr 2006
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Newbee Riders? I certainly dont recommend considering South America as a good training ground. Traffic in populated areas is plain Nuts. Go like hell, lane filtering, splitting, and always a huge Scania looming in your mirrors. Road conditions can be most unpredictable. Buying a bike also can be tricky as in Brasil you need to prove residency.
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  #6  
Old 2 Apr 2006
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Hi,

You don't need to have any official paper in Argentina. If you are really lazy you need WORD and make you own driving license/Paper for the bike/Inssurance. If You want to be a bit more profesional than use COREL DRAW to make a more fency paper.


That's how I renew my paper when they expired.
Patrick
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  #7  
Old 11 Sep 2008
G_S G_S is offline
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Type "novelty driving licence" in google and get yourself a "personalised joke driving licence".

They're near enough exact copies of original UK licences, but for "novelty" value only
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  #8  
Old 11 Sep 2008
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I do not think that it will be a problem for you. For peace of mind you should try and get as far as you can in the UK system before you leave. Your drivers license is going to be checked 100 times or more.
__________________
http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)
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  #9  
Old 17 Sep 2008
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I was never asked to show my driving license in 46000 Ks through South and Central America and the US. I carried a standard British/EU car license for the southern leg, lost it to a pickpocket in BA, and rode up to New York with nothing. I also lost the original papers (Mexican) in Tierra del Fuego (probably eaten by sheep) and traveled all the way north on photocopies.
I neither encountered crooked cops nor crooked border officials. All were supportive, helpful with advice on routes and safety. Nor can I recall being stopped at any of the police posts in Argentina. However, no country other than Israel has such beautiful police women. I was kissed on the cheek by one in Salta and would stop on occasion at police posts in hope of a second kiss. Asking earned considerable laughter and the occasional success. I am in my dotage. This is not something younger men should attempt.
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