How long is a foreign Driver Licence valid in Colombia?

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 21, 2009, 14:44:

In CTG for 255000 cop you can get a Colombian license good for life i believe. Very easy to do, even a caveman can do it. Why bother with a foreign license since you live here.

If you have an International Drivers License, issued in the US by AAA, and a valid state license, you are good to go until the IDL expires after a year. Colombia is a signor to that international agreement.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 14:50:

MartinCartagena says on Oct 21, 2009, 15:15:

Don’t worry about a Colombian Drivers Licensee, I think it is counter productive and brings more problems to the table. To be a foreign tourist gets you a lot of slack

I have a Colombian and a USA driver’s license. I have been driving all over Colombia for a year now and have never shown my Colombian licensee. I have been stopped soooo many times I can not even count. I just show my USA licensee, they look at it for a moment then give it back. They have never even asked for my cedula, passport or anything to do with visas, or other ID. When they ask for my bike papers, I just show them the plate on the back, then some papers from the insurance company, along all of my DIAN papers. By this time they tire of trying to figure it all out and ask me how fast the bike goes and how much it cost.

With my Colombian bike, when I registered it I had them Print “Turismo” in the “carroceria o tipo” area on the Licencia De Transito, so when I get pulled over I am pretty much exempt from all the Pico Placa bull shit and other crapola they play on each other. I just show my USA license, give them some big smiles and then ask for directions. They soon smile back and I move on.

If we wanted to have all kinds of rules, we could live in the States. Some day I am going to be driving in the States and get pulled over. I will give them my Colombian Drivers Licensee, I wonder what will happen? Could be fun.

Another thing,

You can be here on any kind of Visa and still be a tourist. Colombian Nationals that live outside of Colombia, that come here to visit do not need a visa, however for many things they are still considered a tourist. That would include driving. They rent a car and use their USA driver’s licensee. They can even get permission to import a vehicle on a temporary basis to do “Tourism”.

It is kind of funny but it all makes sense…..

0 funny, 1 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 15:26:

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 15:32:

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 21, 2009, 15:49:

Mine included the ID copies, photo, and blood test which was 65,000 pesos. Yours doesnt appear to include the cost of the requisitos. Or does it? Doesnt seem to be a transfer. You are getting an additional license to add to your collection.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

crboy167 says on Oct 21, 2009, 15:58:

MartinC my aunt is a US citizen that lives in Sweden. When she goes to visit the family in the states she uses her Sweden license (she has both) and when she gets pulled over the cops they never write her a ticket. I am told the paper work for the cops is a pain in the ass of international license. She has only ever gotten warnings. I say speak spanish and hand them your colombian license. Give them the old No English in a heavy spanish accent Good luck

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:02:

"I am told the paper work for the cops is a pain in the ass of international license." crboy167

are you referring to an International License used in the US by foreigners?

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

MartinCartagena says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:02:

Darloup:

If you are not a tourist, then what are you? I have been here for 4 years and I am still a tourist. Do not think so one directional. Your “Visa Type” has nothing to do with weather you are a tourist or not. Think of this, If you have a “Resident Visa”, that does not mean you are a resident. It is just the name of that type of visa.

Here is an example.

Darloup is a US citizen living in Houston Texas. He doggies cattle for a living just like his grand pappy before him did. He fly’s with his family from Texas to the Los Angelos, California and rents a car. He and his family visit Disney Land, Knotts Berry Farm, Sunset Drive and basicly drive all around So. Cal He can not help him self from cursing all those homos, queers, long hairs, hippies and so on and so forth. He is a “Tourist”


There you go…..

0 funny, 0 helpful.

marlydog1812 says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:04:

Ive been here 6 months and been pulled over at 20 times on my moto. They dont care about about my license, it seems my cedula, registration, a hand shake, and a few no entiendos and Im off.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

pavo says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:14:

I drove for 15 years on a USA liscence.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:14:

The whole full service license procedure costs around 140k in Medellin. Drop off the papers, come back in 5 days and pick it up. As usual, you guys on the coast are paying more for the same product with inferior, surly service.

The blood test costs around 15k at Clinica Bocagrande in Cartagena (walk in), and what do passport photos cost, 5k?

I think I paid 155k pesos, but they pulled strings to simply rubber stamp my medical exam without me ever having to show up for it. If I know you, Darloup, you would make a point of going to the medical, even if it cost you more.

PS: Speaking of paying more for the same product. Did you know that gasoline currently costs 7000 pesos in Medellin, and 7500 pesos in Cartagena? Strange, considering gasoline is refined right there in Cartagena and there is no refinery anywhere near Medellin.

Driving in Colombia FAQ is at: http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/travel/guide/driving-in-colombia/

"this may seem a strange post but it is not...when in colombia men need to be aware that colombia women may try to be seductive and entice a travelling gringo to have sex with them..to be forewarned is to be forearmed..." -- pow wow

0 funny, 0 helpful.

theflatline says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:17:

Pedro,

Works that way in the states as well.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:26:

theflatline says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:29:

Darloup,

I think you have to pay for a physical as well.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:34:

theflatline says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:36:

Dar,

Dunno, my Colombian father just renewed his and he had to get get a regular physical, and he is not really old, and is in killer shape. I would call again and ask another person.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 16:49:

gamm2 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 17:46:

It´s $120.900 in Bogotá. It´s called Convalidación de licencia extranjera - validation of a foreign driver´s licence.

http://www.simbogota.com.co/simBogota/main/sistema.jsp

Requirements:
Photocopy of your valid foreign dirver´s licence.
Be able to read and write
Photocopy of your cedula de extranjería
Translation of your foreign driver´s licence made by your country´s embassy or MRE, although you can provide an apostilled copy with an unofficial translation and a document explaining what category it would be equivalent to.
Fill out a free form
3 x 4 blur background picture
Original payment receipt
Be old enough
Know your blood type

0 funny, 1 helpful.

MartinCartagena says on Oct 21, 2009, 18:50:

Darloup:

“I was under the impression that a tourist had to leave Colombia after 180 consecutive days.

A person can only be in Colombia on a Tourist Visa for a maximum of 180 days in any calendar year. This issue has been so thoroughly beaten to death I am officially calling it “Closed.” From now on, any one asking how many days can I be in Colombia on a tourist visa will be the official PBH Dunce and required to pay me 5,000 pesos if they want entrance to Cartagena!

Just because you have a certain type of visa, that does not reflect on what you are. A person is not the sum of his paperwork. A stamp in your passport does not signify who you are. Such rigid thinking. Free up your mind my son.

"If you are not a tourist, then what are you?" You tell me!

It would all depend on what you are doing in your daily activities. Do you have a job, run a business or just screw around, have fun, bang some chicas and get to know a little about Colombia. If you are doing the later, then I would say you are a tourist. Some one else could say you are a vagabond, a bum, a lazy ass, a good for nothing etc… I like to think of my self as the perpetual tourist. Just look at my passport. Twice I have had pages added and it is full. When asked what I do, I am too young to say I am retired, that is for old farts on social security. I say I am a tourist. Kind of like a perpetual student, but a perpetual tourist.

You can be anything you like, you decide.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 18:53:

excavator59 says on Oct 21, 2009, 19:44:

I have 2 Colombian Licences one for car other for the moto I think I paid $140.000 each for them but before I had to do the Optimetrico test basically hearing & reactions a few silly co-ordination games on what seemed like early computer games.
This was because I was sick of the wankers in transit always saying my international Licence was not valid(Yes it is I would argue with my English Licence it is valid for a year why did Colombia sign the 1948 convention then?They used to try to get my wife on this all the time a right b**** in transit was always pulling her up.
I went for the Colombian driving test but failed it on 4 points (1) I used my indicators (2) I used my handbrake on hill starts (3) I gave way to traffic already on the roundabout & finally (4) I stopped on the Zebra crossing to let people walk across.
Only joking on those points or am I?

Life is like a Pubic Hair on a Toilet Seat (Sooner or Later you get Pissed Off)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 19:50:

excavator59 says on Oct 21, 2009, 20:02:

Henry I was joking about the test look at my failures ,then tell me if Colombians drive like this (some do who have lived in the UK /USA /EUROPE etc but most don't.

Life is like a Pubic Hair on a Toilet Seat (Sooner or Later you get Pissed Off)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 20:25:

vicshere says on Oct 21, 2009, 20:43:

is that the new colombian math
150,000
80,000
120,000
-----------
310,000
no wonder they cant make any money

1 funny, 1 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 20:53:

pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 21:08:

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 21, 2009, 21:11:

goin_south says on Oct 21, 2009, 23:23:

This being Colombia, I suppose it's utterly normal to get so many different answers ;-).... the, uh.... OP.

Darloup,... (even in the eeuu... jajajaj!).... YOU MIGHT GET TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT ANSWERS... for any given situation, issue, or question....even government 'Authorities'.

I'm certain, Simon will agree with me this time: you really shouldn't be making biggoted statements about 'Things Colombian', like that.
_______

bOY, you got to go read the fine print for yo self.

nothin I say is to be takn for my words, but rather for the words of Sailor Jerry.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

jb_fastpitch says on Oct 22, 2009, 07:59:

Hey, the inconsistency of beaurocracy is a worldwide phenomenon. It is the nature of government to be screwed up.

Choose Liberty, there is no such thing as equality.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

mcheasley says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:04:

I tried a search but no luck... I seem to remember GATOR posting or talking about a site where you can Print out the official regulations to show the cops in Colombia, if you are using an Intl drivers lic so the cops understand the actual laws....

1 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:07:

It has the interenational agreement inside of the International Drivers License itself, And in several languages.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

oneforyourmillion says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:17:

If you are gringo don't worry about............

0 funny, 1 helpful.

goin_south says on Oct 22, 2009, 10:37:

"the inconsistency of beaurocracy is a worldwide phenomenon. It is the nature of government to be screwed up." and, that's because the workforce behind the gov is made mostly of people who don't really want to work, and feel secure by the fact of a gov pension. scum of the earth,.. .a little like morpus.

nothin I say is to be takn for my words, but rather for the words of Sailor Jerry.

0 funny, 1 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 22, 2009, 13:12:

i thought he worked for some stock or financial institution...

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

1 funny, 0 helpful.

davidslc46 says on Oct 23, 2009, 05:44:

For one year I never had a problem.

I was told it was six months by transito recently. It cost me about 150,000 COP through a driving school. The paperwork was not so burdensome, but you do get a psychological and medical screening. Took about an hour and a half as I remember. A week later I picked up my International license.

David

0 funny, 0 helpful.

oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 05:57:

The cheapest you will get it legal is 250K pesos, the going rate is around 300 to 350. You can get one for 70k but it is not real and won't register within the transit system. It looks real though in fact the card is real and everything is real it just is not in the system. For ID only it is perfect.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

davidslc46 says on Oct 23, 2009, 06:01:

Oneforyour million

I got mine legal for under 170,000 from bello transit one month ago. There was no going rate I paid exactly what anyone would pay with the possability that 20,000 of that went to the school for facilitating it.

David

0 funny, 0 helpful.

oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 06:04:

That is the cheapest I have ever seen it, it must not have had the insurance with it, no big deal.

But where is this place? Bello Transit? Have a number, address? I have a friend that is looking right now. 170 is damn cheap!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

davidslc46 says on Oct 23, 2009, 06:11:

In my neighborhood Bello, it is a driving school next door to the transito. It should be the same in your area. Even though the school facilitated it, you still had to go to transito ( within transito is the national company that does the screening and approval ) personally for the physical and psychological screening. I then picked up my license about one week later at the school.

Insurance?

My monthly insurance is about 350,000 COP and yearly the SOAT is 460,000 COP. So it definately had no insurance premium included.


David

0 funny, 0 helpful.

oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 06:13:

Did you pay something to the driving school then? What was the total for this? I know all that but it is typically 250 to 300, never saw it that cheap. One of the places was telling me about some insurance or something that they could take off and make it about 50k cheaper.

I will check that out in Bello, thansk for the info. jaja pays to keep shopping around in COlombia.

A funny note. There is no driving test to these things like what you would have in the states. Basically if you can breathe and see and move your arms you got your license. jaja

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 23, 2009, 11:14:

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 11:41:

Darloup, i dont think you have to surrender your French license to anyone. You just are getting an addtional license. No exchanges involved.

For US folks:
(**i stand corrected, as Colombia is NOT a signor of the agreement, howvever, they do recognize an International Driving Permit)

International Driving Permits

Maybe you’re not planning to drive, but if you are planning a trip overseas, take the time beforehand to get an International Driving Permit. They’re inexpensive, easy to obtain through AAA, and they’re honored as identification in more than 150 countries. The permit contains your name, photo and driver information translated into 10 languages.

Why carry an IDP? Some countries don’t recognize driver’s licenses from the United States as identification but do accept an IDP. The government may not require that you carry one, but without one you may not be able to rent a car. Having an IDP can save a lot of potential hassles.

Keep in mind, AAA is the only authorized provider of International Driving Permits in the United States.

A few more important facts:

You must be at least 18 to apply for an IDP.
IDPs are valid for one year and are not renewable.
An IDP is valid only when accompanied by your U.S.-issued driver’s license

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 11:42:

Geographical Areas Which Honor International Driving Permits (Convention on Road Traffic, United Nations, Geneva 1949) as of January, 2009.

AFGHANISTAN*
ALBANIA
ALGERIA
ANDORRA*
ANGOLA*
ANGUILLA*/**
ANTIGUA*/**
ARGENTINA***
ARMENIA*
ARUBA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
AZERBAIJAN*
BAHAMAS
BAHRAIN*
BANGLADESH
BARBADOS**
BELARUS*
BELGIUM
BELIZE
BENIN
BHUTAN*
BOLIVIA*/***
BOTSWANA
BRAZIL (Inter-American Driving Permit Only)
BRUNEI*
BULGARIA
BURKINA FASO*
(WAS UPPER VOLTA)
CAMBODIA (WAS KAMPUCHEA)
CAMEROON*
CANADA
CAPE VERDE ISLANDS*
CAYMAN ISLANDS*
CENTRAL AFRICAN REP.
CHAD*
CHILE***
COLOMBIA*/***
COMOROS*
CONGO, REP OF (BRAZZAVILLE)
CONGO, DEM REP OF (KINSHASA)
COSTA RICA*/***
COTE D'IVOIRE (IVORY COAST)
CROATIA*
CUBA
CURACAO
CYPRUS
CZECH REP. DENMARK
DJIBOUTI*
DOMINICA*/**
DOMINICAN REP.***ECUADOR***
EGYPT
EL SALVADOR*/***
EQUATORIAL GUINEA*
ESTONIA*
FIJI
FINLAND
FRANCE (INCLUDING FRENCH
OVERSEAS TERRITORIES)
FRENCH POLYNESIA
GABON*
GAMBIA
GEORGIA
GERMANY*
GHANA
GIBRALTAR
GREECE
GRENADA**
GUATEMALA***
GUERNSEY
GUINEA*
GUINEA-BISSAU*
GUYANA
HAITI ***
HONDURAS*/***
HONG KONG
HUNGARY
ICELAND
INDIA
INDONESIA*
IRAN*
IRELAND
ISRAEL
ITALY
IVORY COAST
JAMAICA
JAPAN
JERSEY*
JORDAN*
KAZAKHSTAN*
KENYA*
KOREA (REP.)
KUWAIT*
KYRGYSTAN
LAOS LATVIA*
LEBANONLESOTHO
LIBERIA*
LIBYA*
LIECHTENSTEIN*
LITHUANIA*
LUXEMBOURG
MACAO*
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALAYSIA
MALI
MALTA
MAURITANIA*
MAURITIUS
MEXICO*/***
MOLDOVA*
MONACO
MONTENEGRO
MONTSERRAT*/**
MOROCCO
MOZAMBIQUE*
MYANMAR*
NAMIBIA
NEPAL*
NETHERLANDS
NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
NEW CALEDONIA
NEW ZEALAND
NICARAGUA*/***
NIGER
NORWAY
OMAN*
PAKISTAN*
PANAMA*
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PARAGUAY***
PERU***
PHILIPPINES
POLAND
PORTUGAL
QATAR*
ROMANIA
RUSSIA
RWANDA
ST. KITTS & NEVIS*/**ST. LUCIA
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
SAN MARINO SAO TOME & PRINCIPE*
SAUDI ARABIA*
SENEGAL
SERBIA
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SINGAPORE
SLOVAKIA
SLOVENIA*
SOUTH AFRICA
SPAIN
SRI LANKA
SUDAN*
SURINAME
SWAZILAND
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND*
SYRIA
TAIWAN
TAJIKSTAN*
TANZANIA
THAILAND
TOGO
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO***
TUNISIA
TURKEY
TURKMENISTAN*
UGANDA
UKRAINE*
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES*
UNITED KINGDOM
URUGUAY (Inter-American Driving Permit Only)
UZBEKISTAN*
VATICAN CITY (HOLY SEE)
VENEZUELA***
VIETNAM*
WESTERN SAMOA
YEMEN*
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE

*Not party of 1949 Convention: International Driving Permit Honored.
**U.S. driver's license and International Driving Permit recognized on presentation to local police and payment of Special Registration Fee upon arrival.
***Geographical Areas Which Honor Inter-American Driving Permits (Convention on Regulation of Inter-American Motor Vehicle Traffic, Organization of American States, Washington, D.C. 1943) as of January, 2009. If you intend to drive in the following countries, be sure to check INTER-AMERICAN DRIVING PERMIT box page 1: Brazil and Uruguay.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:04:

OK well I got pulled over after living here three years using my US Drivers license and they had no problem with it. I suppose it depends on the guy, but better to get a drivers license here. Really though a gringo? Not going to ahve a problem? A Frenchy? well they might bend you overand make some cheese? jiji

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Juepaje says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:25:

Regardless of what anyone has said, these are the facts.LEY769 DE 2002, Articulo 25. Licencias extranjeras. Las licencias de conduction, expedas en otro pais se encuentren vigentes y que sean utilizadas por turistas o personas en transito en el territorio nacional, seranvalidas y admitidaspermanencia autorizada a su titular, conforme a las disposiciones internacionales sobre la materia. You do not need a translation, international driver's license or a Colombian one. Save yourself the time, money and aggrevation and follow the law as stated. If you do not understand what this law says, get someone like a policeman to explain it to you. It is very simple to understand and do not understand why we need 50 posts every time this subject comes up. Do not get a Colombian Drivers license. Spend your money on some fun and enjoy life. Why make it more complicated than it need be. There are no special fees! Just use your regular DL like I have been for the past 15 years and you will not have a problem in an accident or with your insurance. Your foreign license is good forever. Chao!

Sic enim dilexit Deus mundum ut Filium suum unigenitum daret ut omnis qui credit in eum non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:56:

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 13:20:

Foreign licenses. The Driving licenses issued in other countries that are valid and are used by tourists or people in transit in the country, would be valid and allowed while it’s holders stay is authorized, according to the international laws in this regard.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

davidslc46 says on Oct 23, 2009, 14:46:

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 13:20 (today): flag

Foreign licenses. The Driving licenses issued in other countries that are valid and are used by tourists or people in transit in the country, would be valid and allowed while it’s holders stay is authorized, according to the international laws in this regard.


I got pulled over many times the first year and they never said anything about it. That was all under a student visa. I then get my visa changed to familia or companion ( not sure which as exactly Catalina did most of it ) I then get pulled over and they tell me you are only allowed 6 months on a foreign license. In addition I paid only about 170,000 so you guys must be getting something else included.

In addition, if it is required and you are not in compliance, you may get a warning, or you may get a ticket, or transito may take a bribe, but it is still a pain in the ass to have to figure out whats it going to be. Today with my cedulla, international license, and documents they rarely spend much time at a checkstop unless they are doing routine searches.

David

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 15:02:

david, i translated this:

Juepaje (newbie) says on Oct 23, 2009, 12:25 (today): flag

LEY769 DE 2002, Articulo 25. Licencias extranjeras. Las licencias de conduction, expedas en otro pais se encuentren vigentes y que sean utilizadas por turistas o personas en transito en el territorio nacional, seranvalidas y admitidaspermanencia autorizada a su titular, conforme a las disposiciones internacionales sobre la materia.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 23, 2009, 15:02:

Ask 10 cops/traficos/datt get 15 answers.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

davidslc46 says on Oct 23, 2009, 15:23:

Miquel

Thanks bro,

I think the problem is that my visa no longer can be applicable to transiting through.

Or else it was just a transito talking sh*t.

Ask 10 cops/traficos/datt get 15 answers

Ask 10 PBH members and get ???? answers,

David

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Juepaje says on Oct 23, 2009, 15:36:

Miguel C. Thanks for the translation. I got my copy of the law at Transito and it is signed and stamped by the Captain there. He told me not to get a Colombian license since I already had a license. It would be a waste of time and money. I show this paper along with my US drivers license and have never once had a problem anywhere in Colombia. I have been stopped hundreds of times. First, you only have to show your drivers license and vehicular documents to the Policia de la Carratera. I also have the laws for the Army and Marines. They can not legally ask you for your license or documents related to your vehicle. They can only search your car for drugs or weapons and ask for your cedula or passport. I also carry these laws with me and have them highlighted. I know what my rights are on the road and do not want military persons knowing my phone number, address, etc... as it is none of their business. Also never tell anyone, police, army or marines where you are coming from or where you are going unless they are personal friends of yours. You do not know how they may use that information and it is against the LAW! This is still the Republica de Colombia and until they change the name to Estado de Policia de Colombia, I will continue to use what rights I still have. My permanent visa states that I am independiente and that is always my reply to whomever stops me on the road in a uniform but always with a smile.

Sic enim dilexit Deus mundum ut Filium suum unigenitum daret ut omnis qui credit in eum non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

davidslc46 says on Oct 23, 2009, 16:07:

Juepaje,

Thanks for the clarification. I can see how you avoid problems. But what about an expired drivers license? Can you still get away with that?

David

0 funny, 0 helpful.

oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 21:21:

"most of the PBH expat community likes to show off by posting threads on how you can get away with things in Colombia. They pride themselves to advertise how, thanks to being foreigners and smart alecs, they actually managed to beat the Colmbian system."
Darloup

I don't consider it a pride thing I consider it a survival thing. I live like the Colombians live and they live exactly like that. If they can get away with something then they do it or don't do it depending. When in Rome my friend. But yes tell us some more....

Maybe we can regulate and enforce like the US does so that everyone can live constipated and down in the mouth like I see in other places. One thing I love about Colombia is that the people say fok you I am going to do it the way that makes me happy, if that is saving some money and not paying into a corrupt government then that is it. If it means paying a cop off that makes 800k a month risking his life well then that is what is done. That is Colombia if you don't like it than may I suggest the regulation and rule abiders in the north of this country for you.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

oneforyourmillion says on Oct 23, 2009, 21:21:

David the answer is yes and the answer is no.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

MartinCartagena says on Oct 24, 2009, 10:36:

Mr. Oneforyourmillion:

Your are correct, it is not only a survival thing, it is how one lives a full life here in this culture. The rules are, how I like to think of them, “Fluid”.

The important thing I always remember is that I am a “Guest in their Country”. There is a line, it is not fluid and it is not to be crossed. Treat everyone with respect, or at lease with courtesy. There are a lot of people here that just do not have a clue, especially on the coast, they are very limited. I do not know if it is because they are not exposed to much or they have limited brain power. Nurture or nature? Who really knows. Just be courteous and nice to everyone, even if they are a zero.

The first year here was a blast, the second started to loose its charm. Last year I started to fall into a very negative attitude, like many expats in foreign countries. This year is looking to be my best year yet. I am really starting to have a good time as I understand how to work within this very fluid system. Another important thing is being able to quickly figure who is a person you want to have contact with and who is not. You need a good nose and over time mine is getting very refined.

That is all, have a good time and later.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 24, 2009, 11:50:

From what I can gather, the Colombian authorities make a difference between a "tourist" or a "resident" in Colombia as far as the driver's licence is concerned.

If you're a tourist, you may use your national licence whilst in Colombia. As Miguel Clavo confirmed, this is confirmed in this page: http://www.mintransporte.gov.co/online/faq/consultaxno.asp?CODI_FAQ=14... (the famous Articulo 25).

If you're NOT a tourist, then you're licence is NOT valid after a few months (I'm still trying to ascertain after how many months) and you must get a Colombian licence. This is called Convalidación de Licencia de Conducción Extranjera

If you live in Bogotá, this is done by the Servicios Integrales para la Movilidad" (SIM).

You must:

1. Go to a Puntos de Atención of the SIM in Bogota (there are several)
2. Obtain the form called "Hoja de datos licencia de conducción"
3. Pay the appropriate fee (currently 120 900 pesos for a car licence and 104 700 pesos for a motorcycle licence)
4. Then show the following documents:

- The receipt of the payment
- The form "Hoja de datos licencia de conducción" duly filled and signed
- ID photo 3x4 cm – blue background
- A blood type certificate
- Photocopy of your cédula de extranjería and photocopy of your passport (not expired)
- Photocopy of your national driver's licence
- Spanish translation of your driver's licence by an official translator
5. Furthermore, you must show that you can read and write (Spanish)

You'll get an answer in-between 1 and 3 hours.

Outside Bogotá, you must visit an office of the Ministry of Transport in your city. You'll find a list here: http://www.mintransporte.gov.co/Ministerio/DIRECTORIO_TERRITORIALES_IN...

The procedure is the same than in Bogotá with the SIM.

This is the OFFICIAL procedure. The procedure described above with the driving schools is basically a short-cut (more expensive, but much less paperwork since, basically, you're paying the Driving School to get your licence for you).

I hope this helps.

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

0 funny, 0 helpful.

RAAAY says on Oct 24, 2009, 12:53:

Juepage says........" If you do not understand what this law says, get someone like a policeman to explain it to you. "

LOL...............


.

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

0 funny, 1 helpful.

makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 24, 2009, 12:58:

Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 24, 2009, 13:45:

Juepaje says on Oct 24, 2009, 15:18:

I follow the laws exactly as written. I do not try to play games with anyone especially the police. The law is so easy to understand. If you are not a citizen of Colombia, you do not need to get a Colombian License. Don't believe me. I don't care. I have renewed my US license via email and have had a US license for 15 years in Colombia and have driven almost everywhere one can drive. I have been stopped literally hundreds of times. Show your license with a smile along with your cedula or passport and you will not have a problem. My cedula is Residente, nacionalidad-ESTADOUNIDENSE. My cedula gives my blood type and my US license is for cars and motorcycles. I have never once had any problems in 15 plus years on the road in Colombia. Do what you want but if you want to follow THE LAW, you do not need to get any drivers license other than a valid one from the country of your nacionalidad. Print the law off of this page and go to transito. They will tell you exactly what I have told you. You do not need a Colombian license until you become a citizen of Colombia. I am not smart enough to be clever and I follow the rules even as they change. I keep a lawyer on retainer and he keeps me up to date on any changes of any law that may apply to me.

Sic enim dilexit Deus mundum ut Filium suum unigenitum daret ut omnis qui credit in eum non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Juepaje says on Oct 24, 2009, 15:25:

El Sapo,
You are correct, it is impossible to follow every law that is written but I can follow the ones that apply to me on the road, on my farm and in my home.
Chao

Sic enim dilexit Deus mundum ut Filium suum unigenitum daret ut omnis qui credit in eum non pereat sed habeat vitam aeternam.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Robert Jorge says on Oct 24, 2009, 21:11:

Elsapo, your tagline is hilarious.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

0 funny, 0 helpful.

davidslc46 says on Oct 26, 2009, 17:37:

170 for the real thing, all included.

Thats what I paid in Bello and I do not have to a discussion with transito about the law related to a drivers license. It has made my road check stops much more efficient.

David

0 funny, 0 helpful.