Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
Valid Motorcycle Licence... Necessary in SA? Valid Motorcycle Licence... Necessary in SA?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

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


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Jun 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 6
Red face Valid Motorcycle Licence... Necessary in SA?
Hi,

I'm planning on buying a bike in Chile and riding through Argentina, Uruguay, maybe Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.

However, I might not have a valid motorcycle licence. I'm a resident of Quebec (Canada), where we have an apprentice motorcycle license for 11 months, which only allows us to ride accompanied by another bike (dumb law, I know...). That's the licence I have, along with a regular driver's licence (all in French). I'm not getting my "full" motorcycle licence before August, and I might have to leave before then...

So: Would this really be a problem in any of the countries I'm planning on visiting? I speak fluent Spanish and am comfortable with bullshitting. Note that I can actually ride just fine, so the safety aspect is not a concern.

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Jun 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
I am not sure if you would get away with it or not but do ask yourself would you be comfortable with a South American riding around Canada without a valid licence and with that no valid insurance either. The other thing to consider is you will possible invalidate your medical insurance as this may require you to be licenced for any vehicle you are driving.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Jun 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
I am not sure if you would get away with it or not but do ask yourself would you be comfortable with a South American riding around Canada without a valid licence and with that no valid insurance either. The other thing to consider is you will possible invalidate your medical insurance as this may require you to be licenced for any vehicle you are driving.
I would be comfortable with the South American riding around Canada if he was competent to ride. The paper is just a paper. The ethical aspect of this doesn't bother me, since I've taken my courses and have two years of urban riding experience, in addition to having lived and driven in Latin America (Mexico) for several years. I'm actually licensed to ride -- just not unaccompanied. And what difference does that make? I don't mean to sound callous; I wouldn't even be suggesting it if I thought I would be a danger to others. It's just that a scheduling issue /might/ cause me to have to miss my final practical exam for the unrestricted licence.

As for the medical insurance, I could always claim that I was accompanied, and thus complying with the conditions of my licence.

I'm just concerned with the practical aspect of police checking my licence. It's my understanding that buying and registering the bike has nothing to do with the licence to operate.
Last edited by camir; 28 Jun 2015 at 21:44. Reason: Edit: Specified that I drove in Mexico, not South America... Hence the question!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Jun 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Posts: 216
I routinely used my spare non-motorcycle license at traffic stops in South America without a problem. I wouldn't be worried. The traffic police are not going to know the laws and specifics of international licenses, nor are they going to be able to read French.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29 Jun 2015
javkap's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Buenos Aires - Argentina
Posts: 520
On the strictly legal side of your question, around here by law you need an International Driving Licence that specifically stablish what kind of vehicle you are allowed to drive or ride, Usually is an international code that all the organizations use the same for this and in case of a bike like the ones we use to travel is A3.

Probably many people will jump on me saying that they have been travelling in the whole Americas and nobody ask them it, or than the police don’t know what they should ask, or…, or… Well Im only telling you what the law (that we have one) says..

Personally talking I can tell you that you probably will be okay but as others told you, I as a local will not be happy to have a transit problem with some stupid gringo riding around without the minimum requires that the law ask, leaving me in a situation where I don’t have to whom reclaim in case of an accident…. A local 3rd party insurance is ridiculous cheap around and the International License too as far I know.

Saludos
__________________
Javier...
Dakar Motos “ ”
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Jun 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
Yep, motorcycles require specific license endorsements in many countries so no endorsement means riding unlicensed which means invalid insurance. Yes, quite likely that your insurance company would pay out to an injured third party anyway so that may not concern you ethically, but perhaps your personal well-being might be of more concern. Judicial processes aren't all the same in all countries and you might find a few months in a local prison a fairly sobering experience.
__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Jun 2015
g6snl's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Home in Essex GB
Posts: 564
Come on ......... really???
It will be much simpler to just wait, get the experience your government thinks you need, ( even if you don't think you need it) get a license, then go as a licensed and minimally experienced motorcyclist just like everybody else. You then have the rest of your life to learn to ride a motorcycle properly. Unless of course you have been impregnated with that knowledge and experience at birth.
__________________
Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway
Last edited by g6snl; 29 Jun 2015 at 22:01. Reason: bad spelling !
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Jun 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 679
[QUOTE=ouroboros2015;509118]
Quote:
As for the medical insurance, I could always claim that I was accompanied, and thus complying with the conditions of my licence./QUOTE]

Isn't that fraud?
Yes - also you'd have to lie to the police and this is quite serious. If you crashed and there was witnesses obviously that would feature in the police report thus invalidating your medical insurance. People complain about insurance companies and commit fraud without any concern at all. I think the OP should just push to get their full license.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 19:55
Motorcycle licence question for SA A_T South America 5 22 Sep 2014 14:11
Adventure Show at Colorado Motorcycle Expo Sept. 20 & 21 Sun Chaser Motorcycle Events around the world 0 13 Sep 2014 16:50
Restricted motorcycle licence ?!?! TonyJason The HUBB PUB 6 9 Dec 2013 02:24
Motorcycle licence required in South America? Ben King South America 17 8 Feb 2013 06:49

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:47.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top