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Licenses and carnet questions.. Licenses and carnet questions..
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Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
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 11 Sep 2018
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Licenses and carnet questions..
I'm a US Citizen.

I want to buy a bike and travel worldwide.

Can I get a drivers license and International Drivers Permit from ANY country? Or do I need to get one from the USA?

Do I also need a motorcycle license if I don't plan on riding anytime soon in the USA? Is this a requirement for other countries?

-

Carnets..

I read this on: Paperwork | Horizons Unlimited

In North America specifically, the only organization authorized to issue personal tourist vehicle Carnets for Canadian and US-registered bikes, is Boomerang Carnets based in Barrington, Illinois.

Does this mean as a US Citizen I have to use this PARTICULAR company for carnet? Or only if I buy a US bike?

Or can I use any company in the world I want regardless?

The are quoting a little over $10,000 in deposits and fees for a new $2,900 Honda Ruckus, is this a typical carnet price for value etc? Or a lot cheaper if purchased elsewhere?

Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 11 Sep 2018
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,982
You seem to be asking the same questions here that you asked very recently on the SE Asia forum. Are you anticipating getting different answers?

You can get a license in many countries, if you're willing to undergo a certain amount of difficulty. But in general, the US is a remarkably easy place to get a driver's license, which goes a long way toward explaining why our driving standards are not very high. It's also an easy place to get a motorcycle endorsement, which you seem to be calling a "motorcycle license."

You'll have some difficulties, either sooner or later, riding a motorcycle without being licensed to do so. Exactly how much trouble will depend on where you're riding and who catches you doing it.

I'm not going to address your carnet questions except to note that you don't actually need one for most of the world.

Hope that's helpful, and hope you continue to do your own research in addition to asking questions and then doubting the responses you get.

Mark
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  #3  
Old 11 Sep 2018
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cholo View Post
International license is valid for a year and is only really needed in countries that have a different alphabet to yours.
Interestingly I was advised on several occasions to get an international licence for riding in the US on the basis that police or whoever might not know what to make of my UK one. Two countries divided by the same alphabet.
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