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International driving permit - Does anyone bother anymore ??? International driving permit - Does anyone bother anymore ???
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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 8 Jun 2010
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International driving permit - Does anyone bother anymore ???
I was wondering if I need an international driving permit for anywhere in Africa ??

I got one for South America and was NEVER EVER asked for it even though the AA site said it's required.
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Old 9 Jun 2010
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It is a cheap piece of paper, why not take it, just in case, you may regret the decision if you don't.

It still may be a waste of time and money, but you never know, as they say over there TIA "This is Africa"

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Old 9 Jun 2010
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get it...
we always carry an IDP with us. and if I remember correctly we were asked for it a few times up and down Africa.
it is always good to carry another piece of official documentation.
it costs so little too and very easy to get in the UK....so why not?

hope you have a great time. We really love Africa.
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Old 9 Jun 2010
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You may make your own driver license. When the Ukranian cops took mine, I did a fake one and it worked even in Israel. Put on it lots of stamps, colours, emblems... Or show your ID or your family book or whatever you got in your pockets. Who in the hell know is not a good one? I have brought an african registered bike into Europe making myself the logbook in a home printer.

Anyway, make some copys of your driver license and hold just one when they pull you over. "No bribe, man?, ok I take your DL" Ok, take it and eat it.

I also love Africa, everything is possible!!
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Old 9 Jun 2010
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Rac
£5.50 + £2 processing fee from the RAC I was just checking on that one my self!
Robin
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Old 9 Jun 2010
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Not in Africa, but yesterday I needed my IDP for the first time in 9 months/a couple of dozen borders). I dug it out and handed it over confidently. The uniformed border guard looked at the list of countries covered and proudly pointed out that this one, Guyana, was not on the list. I was able to refrain from replying that this is because it's a tiny country where no one ever goes, and that English is the official language anyway, and that no one in their right mind would care given that the driving here is worse than anyplace else in South America (no lie)....

She made me get a Guyanan driving permit. This involved two hours in the mid-day heat filling out forms and waiting for people behind various counters who seemed to be having a contest to see who could move the slowest and at the most minimal efficiency. I don't know whether this would have been more difficult had I no IDP.

File this under "You never know...."

Mark

(from famously crime-ridden Georgetown, which everyone I've met has been friendly, kind and helpful)
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Old 9 Jun 2010
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You can get two at a time per post-office visit, one dated from the 1st WW and one from the 2nd WW. If you ever come across a dodgy policeman wanting to keep your licence unless you pay a bribe, just let them keep it. I've "given away" 3 so far.
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Old 9 Jun 2010
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The fake drivign licence trick is an old but good one..

I took 4 copies with me to South America, handed them over a few times but always got it back.

One cop in Brazil seemed a little jubious of it's authenticity but he said nothing and waved me on.

Sadly, all my copies have expired so now i need to find somewhere else with a high quality copier that will let me copy my licence. Most places won't anymore !
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