int'l license needed to motorbike?

jburwen · Jan 9th, 2006, 17:30

so as i contemplate buying-and-reselling/renting an Enfield to cruise with for the next three weeks, i need to ask: if i don't have an international driver's license, am i screwed? since i ended up in india with this opportunity sort of by happenstance, i didn't get one, though i still have my USA driver's license.

also, since i only want to ride for three weeks, does it make sense to rent at ~US$130/wk? i'm not sure how much i could resell a good-condition used bike for, nor how much time it would take to do the transaction (getting papers filed, doing the actual deal, etc)--and i don't want to spend one of my three weeks making the deal work, y'know?

big dhanyabad and shukriya for the help!

cheers,
jason

john.sw · Jan 9th, 2006, 18:10

You "need" an International Driver's Permit.

If you have your US driving license with you, you can get one in India from the local RTO.

jburwen · Jan 9th, 2006, 20:22

how long does it take? how much does it cost? is it just a formality, or will they make me drive in India traffic to prove myself

john.sw · Jan 9th, 2006, 20:31

I think I've been giving wrong advice

I am English. When I went to get my Indian Driving License, the official offered me an IDP instead. I assumed that I could get an IDP if I wanted one, but I wanted a full Indian License.

Now I wonder if a foreigner can get an IDP (to drive legally in India) from an Indian RTO.

Maybe someone else has the answer!

Tamil Nadu IDP Application Form: http://www.tn.gov.in/sta/forms/Formidpl.pdf

edwardseco · Jan 9th, 2006, 21:06

Go to the AA nearby and apply. Its easy in the states..

Malkers · Jan 9th, 2006, 21:13

Forget buying and selling, far too much hassle and you are right about losing 1 of your 3 weeks sorting out paperwork and then what happens if you don't manage to sell it.

$130 sounds high for a week, you should get it for that amount of time at around $70 - 80 but this obviously depends if you go to a licensed hire company or just off a guy on the street who can use some cash, the latter would be easiest to find and no red tape involved.

Up to you on the IDL side, I've never bothered, I just show my photo driving license from UK, tell them it is international and I'm on my way sometimes without the obligatory 100rs baksheesh!

Cheers
Malc

manojb · Jan 9th, 2006, 21:24

AFAIK, an IDP is only for residents. If you are a foreigner resident in India, you should be able to get one. An IDP is not a licence by itself. It is only valid when presented with a national licence.

john.sw · Jan 9th, 2006, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by manojb

AFAIK, an IDP is only for residents. If you are a foreigner resident in India, you should be able to get one. An IDP is not a licence by itself. It is only valid when presented with a national licence.

If you are a foreigner resident in India, you can get an Indian Driving License.

You need to show your Resident's Permit and the driving license you were issued in your country.

GoanCanuck · Jan 10th, 2006, 01:35

I would not recommend buying a bike because you are going to be in India for a short period. Too much hassle in selling the bike at a resonable price. When a local person knows that you are desperate to sell your bike you will almost invariably end up being offered a very low price.

You can get an Indian licence by going to the RTO and filling the form but as far as I know this scheme is available only to foreign nationals who have a certificate of residence in India. As far as I know foreign tourists are not eligible for this scheme.

jburwen · Jan 10th, 2006, 10:35

hmmm, sounds like this license business is going to be an issue...though someone mentioned 100 Rs is enough to get you a pass if you're stopped. anyone else had to do this.

anyway, the final question then: anyone know a good renter in Gujarat or Rajasthan?

vinayverma · Jan 10th, 2006, 11:18

No this is not the 'legal' advice but a practical one.
No you don't need an international license to ride and/or rent a motorbike in India. Not many police guys would be able to tell the difference between your US license and the 'international' one. So appear confident even if you are stopped for a check...normally they do not.
For 3 weeks I agree with others that go for rent. Enfield can be rented easily from major cities in India but delhi is the best place to rent. Delhi's karol bagh is the hub of all this and due to competetion you get good condition (very important factor) at a good rate.
Let me know if you need more info.

jburwen · Jan 10th, 2006, 20:36

Yeah, I've heard about Karol Bagh. I'd rather find it in Gandhinagar or Ahmedabad, since I want to bike Gujarat, but I suppose I can alway pop the bike on a train.

Anyone ever put a bike on a train? Big hassle, or no?

Jan 9th, 2006, 17:30	#1
jburwen looking for fun in all the right places Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: California USA Posts: 10	int'l license needed to motorbike? so as i contemplate buying-and-reselling/renting an Enfield to cruise with for the next three weeks, i need to ask: if i don't have an international driver's license, am i screwed? since i ended up in india with this opportunity sort of by happenstance, i didn't get one, though i still have my USA driver's license. also, since i only want to ride for three weeks, does it make sense to rent at ~US$130/wk? i'm not sure how much i could resell a good-condition used bike for, nor how much time it would take to do the transaction (getting papers filed, doing the actual deal, etc)--and i don't want to spend one of my three weeks making the deal work, y'know? big dhanyabad and shukriya for the help! cheers, jason

Jan 9th, 2006, 18:10	#2
john.sw Up in the hills with my head in the clouds... Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: India/UK Posts: 1,019	You "need" an International Driver's Permit. If you have your US driving license with you, you can get one in India from the local RTO. __________________ www.nilgiris.asia your guide to the Nilgiris, Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur

Jan 10th, 2006, 10:35	#10
jburwen looking for fun in all the right places Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: California USA Posts: 10	thanks for the tips hmmm, sounds like this license business is going to be an issue...though someone mentioned 100 Rs is enough to get you a pass if you're stopped. anyone else had to do this. anyway, the final question then: anyone know a good renter in Gujarat or Rajasthan?

Jan 10th, 2006, 11:18	#11
vinayverma Maha Infrequent Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,295	No this is not the 'legal' advice but a practical one. No you don't need an international license to ride and/or rent a motorbike in India. Not many police guys would be able to tell the difference between your US license and the 'international' one. So appear confident even if you are stopped for a check...normally they do not. For 3 weeks I agree with others that go for rent. Enfield can be rented easily from major cities in India but delhi is the best place to rent. Delhi's karol bagh is the hub of all this and due to competetion you get good condition (very important factor) at a good rate. Let me know if you need more info. __________________ If Life is a journey....travel on...and on..on..on.....

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Jan 9th, 2006, 20:22	#3
jburwen looking for fun in all the right places Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: California USA Posts: 10	how long does it take? how much does it cost? is it just a formality, or will they make me drive in India traffic to prove myself

Jan 9th, 2006, 20:31	#4
john.sw Up in the hills with my head in the clouds... Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: India/UK Posts: 1,019	I think I've been giving wrong advice I am English. When I went to get my Indian Driving License, the official offered me an IDP instead. I assumed that I could get an IDP if I wanted one, but I wanted a full Indian License. Now I wonder if a foreigner can get an IDP (to drive legally in India) from an Indian RTO. Maybe someone else has the answer! Tamil Nadu IDP Application Form: http://www.tn.gov.in/sta/forms/Formidpl.pdf

Jan 9th, 2006, 21:06	#5
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,225	Go to the AA nearby and apply. Its easy in the states..

Jan 9th, 2006, 21:13	#6
Malkers Not So Bloody Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chipping Sodbury, UK (was Bangalore) Posts: 411	Forget buying and selling, far too much hassle and you are right about losing 1 of your 3 weeks sorting out paperwork and then what happens if you don't manage to sell it. $130 sounds high for a week, you should get it for that amount of time at around $70 - 80 but this obviously depends if you go to a licensed hire company or just off a guy on the street who can use some cash, the latter would be easiest to find and no red tape involved. Up to you on the IDL side, I've never bothered, I just show my photo driving license from UK, tell them it is international and I'm on my way sometimes without the obligatory 100rs baksheesh! Cheers Malc

Jan 9th, 2006, 21:24	#7
manojb Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 428	AFAIK, an IDP is only for residents. If you are a foreigner resident in India, you should be able to get one. An IDP is not a licence by itself. It is only valid when presented with a national licence.

Jan 10th, 2006, 01:35	#9
GoanCanuck Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,119	I would not recommend buying a bike because you are going to be in India for a short period. Too much hassle in selling the bike at a resonable price. When a local person knows that you are desperate to sell your bike you will almost invariably end up being offered a very low price. You can get an Indian licence by going to the RTO and filling the form but as far as I know this scheme is available only to foreign nationals who have a certificate of residence in India. As far as I know foreign tourists are not eligible for this scheme.

Jan 10th, 2006, 20:36	#12
jburwen looking for fun in all the right places Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: California USA Posts: 10	Yeah, I've heard about Karol Bagh. I'd rather find it in Gandhinagar or Ahmedabad, since I want to bike Gujarat, but I suppose I can alway pop the bike on a train. Anyone ever put a bike on a train? Big hassle, or no?

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