Hi Willi,

Different states have different laws about these sorts of things. Here's a thread from the good guys over at advrider with some info and a lot of opinions: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=438186

here's the NY DMV page with info: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.htm

If I were you I'd just use your German driving license and not worry about it. If the vehicle you're on is insured you probably won't have any trouble. When I started riding I got my motorcycle permit by taking a test- but I couldn't get an actual license for another year... that didn't stop me from riding down to central america. From my experience police are very motorcycle friendly and not prone to hassling you too much if you're not doing something completely stupid when they pull you. That's just my experience of course. Good luck and have fun! Hit me up if you come through south carolina.

Mike

Hi Willi,

If you have a German license for driving a car, you might take the risk and just use that if you are stopped for some traffic violation over here. I'd take the chance myself. No police over here are going to know how the Germans do licensing for motos and they aren't likely to look it up - unless you manage to kill half a dozen people with your motorcycle.

I don't know if you can get an American driver's license in any state without a residence here. Maybe that is very easy to do. If you can get a license here, it might be a good idea. In my state (Washington), you would have to study a little driving law brochure for an hour to learn some specific laws and take a 15 minute written test, pay about , and take a 5 minute driving (cones) test while the guy watches you weave in and out and stop. Very easy stuff if you've been riding for any time at all. You might be able to get away with using your passport and some CSers home address - tell them you are staying there for a couple of months. Each state has different laws for licensing, buy none are anything like the EU. In the USA any idiot can get a drivers license - and most do!

I agree that local cops may not know anything about a foreign drivers license but is there a special block for motos on it? They will require insurance! Can you get insurance without a moto license? And if you have an accident you will be cited.

If you get to Oregon contact us.

Eric and Gail via tynda@aol.com