If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast and want to do some international travel, you’ll need an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle endorsement. This international driving document allows you to ride your bike in foreign countries without having to get a local license.
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we want motorcycle enthusiasts to be safe, stay legal, and ride a motorcycle to their hearts’ desire. If you’re going to ride your bike abroad, there are important rules and regulations to follow.
An international driving permit (IDP), sometimes called an International Driver’s License) is an official document that certifies the validity of your home driving license. An international license is a valid form of identification in 150 countries. However, it does not replace your regular driver’s license. You will still need to carry your license with you.
An international drivers permit is recognized in many countries, but it must be issued in the same country where you received your driver’s license. Getting an IDP is as easy as going to your local AAA office and filling out a form.
To apply for international driver’s licenses in person, you’ll need:
If you can’t make it to an AAA office, you can obtain an international driver’s license through the mail. You’ll need the following:
If you plan to ride a motorcycle while abroad, you can follow the same steps as above. However, besides bringing a valid license, your license will need to have a motorcycle endorsement. Then, you’ll just need to make sure your IDP is issued with the endorsement.
Like car rental companies, motorcycle rentals require a valid driver’s license that allows you to drive a bike. To drive a motor vehicle legally when you’re abroad, it’s important to have your IDP on hand. An international drivers license is an essential document to provide to authorities if you are ever pulled over.
Planning to ride a motorcycle abroad but don’t have your motorcycle license yet? Florida drivers have two ways to get a motorcycle operator’s endorsement.
To get a motorcycle license, you must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner’s license for at least a year with no traffic convictions. Drivers over 18 are eligible for motorcycle licenses or endorsements without getting a permit first.
You can go to any driver’s license office to take a written test made up of 20 questions. Once you pass the written test, the state will issue you a permit that is good for 60 days.
Before your permit expires, you must take a driving test. The driving test is more hands-on and will require you to show that you can operate a motorcycle safely on public roads. You can practice for the driving test by taking a motorcycle safety course.
Once you pass the driving test, you’ll get a new driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement.
A motorcycle endorsement is for drivers who already have a Florida driver’s license. To get a motorcycle endorsement in Florida, you must:
Once you have a valid motorcycle license, you can get your international driver’s license at any time.
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we support the Tampa Bay biker community personally and professionally. We understand personal injury law for motorcyclists and have committed to protecting motorcycle rider rights.
We have handled numerous motorcycle accident claims in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and Tampa and know insurance companies’ strategies to avoid rewarding full compensation.
If you feel you have been injured in a motorcycle accident through no fault of your own. Our attorneys are prepared to help you navigate the legal process and work toward securing the maximum compensation you are owed.