Driver's license

Mononoke28 says on May 15, 2008, 14:07:

Mine wasn't because I'm a US citizen by naturalization, so I have to get one down there when I have time. If you're a born US citizen though, all you have to do is show your license with your passport and you're good. I'm not sure about motorcycles though.

Diana

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rjstuff says on May 15, 2008, 15:03:

I have used my US license to rent and drive in Costa Rica, Panama and Europe. I believe it would work in Colombia too. Unless you have the motorcycle notation - obviously, its not good for motorcycles.

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Atrevido says on May 15, 2008, 15:13:

My understanding is that you US licence is valid in Colombia for as long as the visa you are granted. If you were ever asked for it by the Guarda De Transito or other police I doubt they would pick up on it not being a "moto" licence. Of course if you were in an accident and they investigated then maybe.

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mranderson says on May 15, 2008, 15:24:

doc I believe you're right. You purchase the license but I think you have to take a test too. I'm planning on getting a license but I don't know how long it takes to get it and I'm hoping to drive my new moto home tomorrow.

I've driven motos before here in medellin and carried my u.s. driver's license but I've also never been stopped.

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RAAAY says on May 15, 2008, 15:47:

mranderson............I've been stopped on the bike loads of times. They never said anything about the US license. There was one transito dip-shit in Poblado, who asked if I had a motorcycle endorsment on my Florida lic, which I don't. But his supervisor came along and was much nicer. He told the dip-shit to piss off. Don't know how it would have worked out, if he had'nt come along.


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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expatriate says on May 15, 2008, 17:48:

An inconspicuous hand-off to an officer of a 20,000 peso note does wonders under almost all conditions. Start by telling him that he is such a nice person, that you would like to buy him and one of his partners a nice lunch.

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Morrongo says on May 15, 2008, 18:02:

I paid 120,000 for the license and 50,000 for the medical. You just go along to the centre where you live ,pay the money,have a short medical and test, collect the license in a week or so. Need some spanish for the test, reading skills to answer the IQ questons,but not very difficult. As you would expect ,there are no driving skills required.
They will also ask you ...do you drink heavy or have bad dreams.....either queston you can answer with fingers crossed .

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Bill Turley says on May 15, 2008, 18:02:

I have been stopped innumberable time in retenes of various types. I have a FL license which expired after I moved to Colombia. I have never had any problems. Some time they have suggested getting a Colombian one but I have never gone through the hassle

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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mranderson says on May 15, 2008, 20:10:

Ok thanks.

By the way, how long does it take to buy a moto here in colombia? Everyone is telling me it takes 2-3 days because of transito and all the paperwork. I was hoping to go there tomorrow morning and drive the moto home.

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RAAAY says on May 15, 2008, 20:13:

Sorry....no idea...


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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mranderson says on May 15, 2008, 20:15:

wow, I'm shocked. I thought you knew everything ray.

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RAAAY says on May 15, 2008, 20:32:

A very shrewd observation...........unfortunately, getting licensed to drive a glorified hair dryer on wheels, is not in my repertor.


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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mranderson says on May 15, 2008, 20:35:

lol. I think I once had a lawn mower with more horespower than most of the motos here.

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calipro says on May 15, 2008, 23:08:

I went through the trouble of getting a Colombian driver's license here in Cali simply because I thought it would be necessary to get Colombian auto insurance.

But now I'm not so sure.

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pedro says on May 15, 2008, 23:14:

I asked about the foreign license when buying my car. They rang transito, who said it's OK to drive on your foreign license for 1 month, provided you're carrying your passport with the entry stamp.

For a longer stay, you are meant to switch to a Colombian license.

que nota!

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elk says on May 16, 2008, 05:20:

I bought my license from a local doctor for 220,000 COP. No tests. I provided a copy of my cedula and photos.

I would be careful about offerings bribes to officials. There was a recent article stating the penalty could be up to a year in the local carcel.

Paper work: I purchased my moto last August from Suzuki in El Poblado. They handled all the documents including Soat, and the trip to Transito. I paid for the bike one day and picked it up the following morning.

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Brians says on May 16, 2008, 05:29:

Glorified Hairdryer!!! That was the funniest quote of the week. I have a bike and a moto in the US. I love driving that moto around and parking whereever I want. Jumping on and off etc.. However my friends and my wife all tell me I look like a toolbox.

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calipro says on May 16, 2008, 07:12:

elk

I could have bought a license for 100,000 cop. But if it is not properly registered it will do you no good if a cop runs the license number.

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Mononoke28 says on May 16, 2008, 07:29:

So what do I need to get a drivers license in Colombia? So far I've read that I need a physical? and take a written test? Is there a driving test I need to take as well, or do they waive that since you already have a foreign license?

Diana

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Frank Rizzo says on May 16, 2008, 07:31:

Thats bad news for me Elk....the way i drive...i'd have to bribe someone to get a license...jajjjaaja

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vicshere says on May 16, 2008, 08:53:

I did mine 5 years ago and it was just a change over...they asked me how long I have been driving a car and motorcycle and I said over 40 years....no exam or driver test...about a month later had my two licenses cost 90,000 and 90,000

listo

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vicshere says on May 16, 2008, 08:53:

by the way i had a driving school do all the paper work

listo

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mranderson says on May 16, 2008, 10:33:

I went to the honda dealer this morning. They told me it will take 3 days for the paperwork and transito. Seeing that the weekend is just about here I suspect it will be longer.

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vicshere says on May 16, 2008, 10:43:

its a long process which includes rubbing the serial number Body and frame onto the documents...I'd say about 2 days is about right...mine were ready the next day in the afternoon

listo

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dogfart says on May 16, 2008, 13:17:

So, I can drive with my US license, but I have to carry my passport as well?
... would a copy do?
I don`t wanna be showing off my blue passport, who knows who`s looking

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Mononoke28 says on May 16, 2008, 13:42:

Oh cool, so can I just go to a driving school and they'll take care of it?

Diana

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Robert Jorge says on May 16, 2008, 17:39:

A copy of your passport is sufficient with your license. And carrying even a copy of your passport is more than most guys do. I never did.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Chriscan says on May 16, 2008, 17:49:

If you copy your passport it's a good idea to get a copy of your valid visa stamp on the other side. I don't but the police make a little fuss about it from time to time.

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

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vicshere says on May 16, 2008, 19:18:

you should get your passport photo copy notarized at a notary or else they may not accept the plain copy
monk i did this 5 years ago dont know if this is still the norm

listo

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rocinante says on May 16, 2008, 21:33:

"I bought my [driver's] license from a local doctor for 220,000 COP. No tests. I provided a copy of my cedula and photos. "

That's like Felix and Oscar getting health insurance from a guy just by shaking his hand, "I just shook a guy named floyd's hand and i was insured" - Oscar Madison

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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CatGirl says on May 16, 2008, 21:35:

;))

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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mranderson says on May 21, 2008, 07:27:

turns out my wife has a friend who works in transito. She talked to her last night and told me that you have to be careful where you get your license from. She said that some schools give fake licenses out and if your stopped they will take the license and in some cases the motorcycle too. Be careful which school you go to for the license.

Also it should cost about 130.000 pesos.

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elk says on May 21, 2008, 08:03:

Again, My license is legal. I simply paid the 220,000 COP which included everything. I avoided the medical examination and driving school which I'm told is a requirement for a Colombian drivers license. There are also required fees which were included in the price.

If you happen to be 65 then the license is good for only one year. You will need a medical every twelve months.

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mranderson says on May 21, 2008, 08:11:

elk, I just read your first comment about soat and transito. That's pretty fast, I wish honda was that fast. I paid for my bike yesterday(downpayment) but It won't have the plates until thursday afternoon.

That's great that your license is legal but 220.000 cop seems expensive compared to 130.000 from a school. She told me I shoudn't have to take any tests of any kind, just go to the school and pay for it. I'll find out in a couple days.

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