USA (route 66) Licence requirements ?

[Ian Martin]

We are (booked, no going back) riding route 66 this July (on harleys, i've got a fat boy, the Mrs a low rider) but I can't find out what, if any, the licence requirments are. travel agent and Eagle riders says UK licence SHOULD be ok (yea like the bike ride bit of the trip costs $10,000 SHOULD be ok is not good enough!) so anyone ridden in the US got any idea? (gut feeling says car's OK, bike may be a problem)
Also any idea if I can get (and from where!) a copy of the us version of the "highway code" (mrs getting worried!)

[box-doctor]

A pal of mine did this 3 years ago on his U.K. licence.
Regards from the chubby one - Neil.

[BlueBoxer]

I've driven in the USA a few times, and my pink n green licence has been OK.

I've booked a Goldwing in San Francisco in August for two weeks, so I'll be interested where this thread goes! No other plans than a first and last night hotel at the moment

Steve

[nab 301]

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Foreign_Visit ... ving.shtml

[BMW-Fahrer]

Route 66 on a Hardley in July?You better prepare yourself for a hot and boring ride...10 grand for the trip.Those travel companies really ripp their customers especially considering the $$$ being slighty more valuable than the polish zloty nowadays...
A GoldWing in San Francisco?There are much better bikes to rent and have fun on especially cocerning the fun and twisty roads in this area;Dubbeljuh in S.F. rents R1200R and GS.Much better and more fun for exploring the city,the coast or the sierra passes...
But anyways since you can't get the US driver's licence since you are neither mexican or "illegal"... I would just take the international license with your UK license if that calmes your worries.You should be able to get this one at any licensing office like in any other E.C. country...
Otherwise just outrun the cops with your superior european riding skills...
It is easy in AZ as they ride Hardleys.In Kalifornia the Chippies are on RT's.It takes one to catch one..

[BlueBoxer]

Licence requirment advice varies Here advises UK Licence OK.

The USA Embassy says a UK Licence is good for a year.

Who do you want to believe the US Embassy or the AA?

I could have hired a BMW. I just fancied a Goldwing. I've never ridden one The other half will want her comfort, and as I'm going to travel a fair bit, so she needs to be kept happy.

Steve

[leasky]

Ian, for what its worth, we did a tour of the Rockies 2 years ago on a Harley Ultra Glide Classic using a standard British Licence. I have always also used one of those "International" licences which you get from the Post Office for about 10 quid and are valid for one year.

We got stopped by a police car in Montana, just as we were about to go into Canada. It was a "routine" stop. He seemed ok with the documentation and let us on our way. He seemed more concerned with the Insurance papers being correct then anything else.

Prior to that trip I had changed my licence from the original green and white 25 year old effort, to the new super-duper pink one with photo. I am unsure how that cop would have been if I didnt have a photo on my licence.

I also did a little part of Route 66 in the early 90's when I was living in Arizona. We went up to Flagstaff from Pheonix and west into California before turning south again and returning to Litchfield. It is very hot during the summer but Flagstaff is quite high and from there you can "nip" up to the Grand Canyon; its about a 3 hour drive but well worth the views.

As regards a USA High way code; I work along-side a couple of Americans (one of whom is on time-off at the moment). I can e-mail him and ask that he takes whatever books etc he can back with him next trip. I shall then take that back to the UK with me and post it onto yourself.

We work month on month off here, so it may be early May before I can get it to you.

Drop me a line if its something you want to do.

Good luck!

[BMW-Fahrer]

BlueBoxer then enjoy your Wing and be careful in SF with that barge.
Cobblestones,slippery rails and steep hills.Your skills definately will be put to a test...
If your old lady wants comfort why not make her really comfortable and rent an Accord?Air conditioning is definately a plus in 40 celsius august west coast weather... Good times!
If you are interested in riding fun roads here is a list that are probably Kalifornia's best.
PCh/Hwy1 between San Luis Obispo and Fort Bragg.
HWY 36 West
Hwy89/299 West
Hwy 36 East
Hwy70
Hwy89 through Lassen Volcanic Park
Sierra Passes;4,108,120
Connect the dots and have a super ride not unlike riding in southern france...
Colorado has a few nice pass roads,too but still nothing like the alps.
Stay off the long and boring hiways...straigt,ridicolously low speed limits,bad pavement,cops that like to give tickets,tired truckers,minivans;nothing to write home about...

[Ian Martin]

Thanks for the advice guys concensus says just a normal (photo) licence will do. I'll try & post some photo's when we get back - but will be of Harleys - is this allowed (promise no ho*das)

[Stevie]

Ian, for what its worth, we did a tour of the Rockies 2 years ago on a Harley Ultra Glide Classic using a standard British Licence. I have always also used one of those "International" licences which you get from the Post Office for about 10 quid and are valid for one year.

We got stopped by a police car in Montana, just as we were about to go into Canada. It was a "routine" stop. He seemed ok with the documentation and let us on our way. He seemed more concerned with the Insurance papers being correct then anything else.

Prior to that trip I had changed my licence from the original green and white 25 year old effort, to the new super-duper pink one with photo. I am unsure how that cop would have been if I didnt have a photo on my licence.

I also did a little part of Route 66 in the early 90's when I was living in Arizona. We went up to Flagstaff from Pheonix and west into California before turning south again and returning to Litchfield. It is very hot during the summer but Flagstaff is quite high and from there you can "nip" up to the Grand Canyon; its about a 3 hour drive but well worth the views.

As regards a USA High way code; I work along-side a couple of Americans (one of whom is on time-off at the moment). I can e-mail him and ask that he takes whatever books etc he can back with him next trip. I shall then take that back to the UK with me and post it onto yourself.

We work month on month off here, so it may be early May before I can get it to you.

Drop me a line if its something you want to do.

Good luck!

Crikey, Leasky, 3 hrs from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon? Were you cycling? It took me 45 minutes max from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon airport, although that was in a car.

Although worth visiting in the Flagstaff area is the meteor crater, about 45 miles east on the interstate.

[horse27]

Yep, standard UK license is fine in the US. International Driving Permit (IDP) is advised if heading into Mexico ... but I only ever got asked for my passport (you need it for beer no matter how old you look!)

[julian]

I've hired several times from Eagle Rider in SF and L.Vegas. Just used the photo licence which was photocopied but not really looked at in any detail.

I had no problems throwing the Fat Boy round Big Sur down to to Los Angeles and through the SF streets and it was returned with half the floor boards worn away.

Enjoy - you''ll have a great time. Make sure you take your own helmets. The ones they hire out are like coconut shells.

[leasky]

Yes Stevie, it was a rather slow ride up to "the Hole".

If memory serves me right we left Flagstaff at about 10am and got to the Canyon about 1pm but we did stop for a coffee and "transfer of Ballast".

Wonderfull sight though and a humbling experience. Seeing a place that size really reminds a person just how small they are in the bigger picture.