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  #1  
Old 7 Apr 2005
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Russian Driver's License Requirement?
The quote below is taken from the U.S. State Department's website:

"A valid U.S. driver’s license with a notarized Russian translation of it or a valid Russian license is necessary to drive a vehicle in Russia. International driver’s licenses issued by the American Automobile Association are not accepted in Russia. Tourists may use international driver’s licenses issued by the American Automobile Association to drive in Russia. Foreigners who are in Russia on a business visa or with a permanent residence status in Russia are required by law to have a Russian driver’s license. In order to obtain this license one has to take the appropriate exam. An American driver's license cannot be exchanged for a Russian license. Travelers without a valid license are often subject to prolonged stops by police and fines."

This is the first I've heard of a requirement for a notarized Russian translation of my driver's license, and that if I am in Russia on a business visa (which is my intention since I may be in Russia longer than 30 days) I will need a Russian drivers license.

Does anyone know if these so-called requirements are currently enforced in Russia?

Thanks for any info.

Mike

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Old 8 Apr 2005
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Get yourself an international drivers licence. They are large grey things with your photo in them and issued by your motoring association. In Australia they cost about 15USD for 12 months.You will have to show it to police when they stop you. A Swede I met in Estonia was booked for not having an Int'l drivers licence.
The licence has info in various languages including Russian.

cheers

alec
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Old 8 Apr 2005
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Alec, thanks for the reply. However, my concern relates to the statement "Foreigners who are in Russia on a business visa or with a permanent residence status in Russia are required by law to have a Russian driver’s license" on the US State Department Website.

According to this, an International Drivers License (which I already have) isn't adequate if I'm traveling on a business visa. What I would like to know is if this is another of those outdated and no longer enforced Russian laws, even though it's still technically on the books. Same with the part about needing a Russian translation of a person's home country drivers license.

Has anyone who's traveled in Russia on a business visa in the last year or two had problems with the police demanding a Russian drivers license?

A tourist visa is absolutely limited to 30 days, and as far as I know the only way to stay in Russia longer, or to enter the country more than once, is to get a business visa (being there on business isn't a requirment to get a business visa).

Thanks again.

Mike
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Old 8 Apr 2005
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Hi Mike. I was on a tourist visa but was stopped by police up to 5 times a day. If it came to checking papers, it would be to see if I had a valid visa, Int'l drivers licence, registration/ownership papers and the paper saying i had bought dodgy insurance at the border. Make sure the insurance you buy at the border covers the lenght of time you will be riding in Russia....sometimes it is on the docs for less time than you paid for...guilty....but it wasnt a problem for me at any stage. ( I didnt realise myself until the SHR's experienced problems for this very reason and check my documents)

Some freinds ( silver haired racers) just spent three months there on business visas and used Int'l drivers licences. You definitely need a business visa to stay longer than thirty days. It is also a good idea should you have mech problems as no spares, broken bike and rapidly expiring visa makes for quite some stress. You will likely need a visa agency to get a business visa.

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alec

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[This message has been edited by simmo (edited 08 April 2005).]
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Old 9 Apr 2005
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Thanks again, Alec. I appreciate the info.

Since I will be entering Russia at Vladivostok by air, I've been wondering where to buy the liability insurance. Everyone talks of getting it "at the border," but what about if I'm already past the border at an airport? Who sells it, a government agency or private company? I assume there's no way to buy it in advance, before departure from the US.

Do the silver haired racers you referred to have a website about their adventures?

Thanks again.

Mike

[This message has been edited by liketoride2 (edited 08 April 2005).]

[This message has been edited by liketoride2 (edited 08 April 2005).]
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Old 9 Apr 2005
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Mike

Walter put their emails up on his site

"Since those mates of yours (and mine) dont have a web site, yet I think a lot of their story is worth following, I have thrown together a collection of their email reports for their trip from London to Vladivostok.

Its more info useful for anyone wanting to take that road.

http://www.colebatch.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mcmillan.htm "

You may have seen this post in the Asia section and checked the link already.

alec
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Old 10 Apr 2005
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Thanks again, Alec. The SHR emails are indeed full of useful info - I'll print out parts of them and save for future reference.

Anyone have any input on buying liability insurance when arriving at Vladivostok airport?

Mike
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Old 11 Apr 2005
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hey mike, seems like you're coming closer to vladivostok now... :-)

I never had to show the international driver's licence. If they really wanted to see something, I showed them my swiss licence, in german though. Just don't speak any russian and keep a smile.

I didn't arrive in vladik by airport, but usually it is always the same procedure.

Arriving - Immigration - Customs

I guess you will arrive with the same airplane that your bike does. You do the regular immigration stuff, getting a stamp in your passport.

After that you go to the customs house or office. If you ship your bike, you get something called 'bill of lading'. I don't know how that works on an airport, but the customs will do the same thing as if you were on the 'physical' border. I think they should be able to sell you the insurance at the customs office. And if they don't say anything about it... who cares? I've never been asked to show the insurance.

Marco - back in switzerland
http://www.schnueriger.net
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Old 11 Apr 2005
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Marco, thanks for the info. It's good to hear you're safely back home. Switzerland is one of the European countries I would really like to visit during that part of my journey.

Yes, my departure time grows closer, with my anxiety level rising as the deperture gets nearer.

Thanks again.

Mike
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  #10  
Old 12 Apr 2005
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Mike,

why do your worries sound that familiar?

Regards

Lars
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