Motorcycle Police Scam... Goa?

Hello

So when I was in Goa travelling we hired scotters (well who doesnt) and we drove for about 10 minutes, and theres a police check point... We were stopped, fine for no helmet, then they asked for our lisence... We showed our UK full drivers lisence, its for a car not a bike. Now I have done my CBT (Some years ago) but obviously this is a cert - and its not on my lisence. Now my question is I'm returning to India next year with a friend, we would both love to hire bikes but how do we do it legit or do you have any advice? Naturally I feel peed off after driving safely here, and driving safely here, but we were fined and had to bribe them thousands of ruppees just to let us drive for the day - was not impressed!
Thanks

Go to your motoring association and purchase an international drivers/ bike licence (assuming you have a bike licence, not sure you need it for a scooter) - the cops will still try it on, but stand firm - you are riding legally.

Or do what the locals do - run the police point. It's just a bribe situation anyhow. I'm sure helmets are only required on the motorways i.e the Panjim motorway. Always haggle hard over a bribe amount - the cops don't want to charge you, they want money.

I havent passed a UK bike test - just want a scooter in India. I had to literally pay 1000 ruppees before to levae one check point there buggers

If the cops gave you a receipt, it is not a "scam"

Figure out the traffic laws in India and follow them, and you will not have to pay fines. You will have to stop at those checkpoints though. I've been stopped many times, and never paid. Make sure you have an international license.

Pass your test.
Get yourself a International Drivers Permit that covers the category that you want to drive/ride.
Make sure that you have the documents for the vehicle.

P.S. Don't forget to have your drivers licence as well.

No Problems

I got stopped within 10 mins last time, showed the police the documents, No Problems

You were not fined - the fine would have been less and a notice/ receipt issued. Without an international driver's licence, you technically are driving illegally. They saw you coming though - you could easily have haggled the "fine" to a couple of hundred.

http://www.indiamike.com/india/attac...k-idp_form.pdf

You can apply for an IDP form either the AA,RAC or you can get one on the spot at larger Post offices (Check the PO website).

The choice is yours. or you can blag it or even refuse to pay the fine/bribe.

While the IDP is valid only when accompanied by the Driver's License, I urge you not to show the foreign license. Cops tend to confisticate it. As they know you will pay the "fine" to get it back.

The correct way is to first get a two wheeler licence in your home country and then get your International driving permit. Make sure that your IDP clearly states that you have a 2 wheeler licence.

It is clear from his post that he does not have a bike licence which means he was doing something illegal.

The police could have very well impounded his bike and made things more difficult for him. If that had happened not only would he have to pay a fine but the local person who is the owner of the bike would also have to pay a fine to get the bike released. The total cost would definitely have come to over a thousand rupees.

Here is the list of offences and the corresponding fines,
http://www.goagovt.nic.in/police/htm...20offences.htm

Maybe - most countries I'm aware of do not require a bike licence for small scooters (up to 50cc)- car licence will suffice. Don't know the situation in India.

The scooters that are given on rent in the beach areas of Goa are usually 100cc or 150cc. These most definitely require a two wheeler licence.

Something else I would like to mention is that the police in Goa is now well aware of the fact that many of the foreign tourists in Goa only have IDP's which are valid for cars. Until now the average constable in Goa did not know the difference but there has been some additional training given to the lower ranks to help them differentiate.

The traffic police posted on the Panjim side of the Mandovi bridge are up to speed with the latest regulations and they will more often than not stop you to check your documents. Usually with the constables these days there is a sub-inspector from the traffic department.

WE in the UK are/should be fully aware of this as we have to pass test (CBT) before we even go on the road with any Motorbike/Scooter.

Ignorance is no excuse.

Neither am I with your notion that you can drive around in India without a licence- as in a later post.

Please not be so sure. Helmets are required Everywhere.


I would request the mods to change the title of the thread, as its not a scam for sure. Its OP's ignorance that brought him in trouble.