From Da Michele.
French Bikers Are Revolting...
- Thread starter Haggis
- Start date
- Status
You might have found a way to do it without damaging the SF2.So true, and I have a shed full of single seaters.
Paul
On the subject of France, it appears that they have introduced a system whereby if you move to France from outside the EU, after one year you will have to apply for a new driving license (fair enough, nothing new there). But in the case of a motorcycle license, you will be downgraded to an A2 license (50bhp??) until you have taken seven hours compulsory training and maybe a test (not sure about the last bit). A right pain! Pourquoi?
Sounds very much like the rules in Belgium. A cousin of mine immigrated from the US, could transfer his car licence but lost his bike one altogether. As reason he was told that bikers from outside the EU end up very high in the casualty statistics. Standard of vehicle control may be one thing, but European / Belgian traffic appears too much of a challenge...
As regular traveller to the Antwerp / Brussels area I can understand that to some extend.
Tom
As regular traveller to the Antwerp / Brussels area I can understand that to some extend.
Tom
Tippie
Hero member
- Location
- Dr?bak, Norway
I understood that EU licence is valid over the whole EU regardless of country, all governed by the EU traffic authority whatever it is called, and not up to individual countries. Norway is a signatory to that - at great cost - to make life simpler for us here.There has been no info that it has changed. I had to do a riding test on a dual control school bike with a testing officer as pillion when I came here from Australia, but not the written test because they had accepted my Australian car licence so I already had an EU licence by that time . They destroyed my Australian licence in the shredder along with the other endorsements on it.
The rule still applies only the British are non EU.
The British are now in a much worse situation than many countries around the world which the EU has bilateral agreements with. It takes a long time to discuss agreements and turn them into law. Years and often decades.
The British have a clean slate.
Paul
Last edited:
Well it appears it ain't so. Rules differ per EU-country, non-EU-country and licence class, so depending on where you come from, where you're going to and what you want to drive/ride.... it's different. In The Netherlands no US licences (whatever state, whatever category) are transferable 'as is'. Belgium has agreements for most states but none include motorcycle classes.
Things are different if you transfer your licence in one EU country and then later move within the EU to another. That will be recognised.
gr
Tom
Last edited:
Basically what I wrote. No problem within the EU and EU countries of course have their own rules and bilateral agreements with non EU countries.
The UK currently has no bilateral agreement with any EU country.
Paul
Hmmm. Can't see anything about that on the official French government web site:
Permis de conduire
Le site officiel du Ministère de l'intérieur : Actualités, votre sécurité, vos démarches administratives, collectivités territoriales, immigration, préfet, gendarmerie, police, sécurité civile, sapeurs-pompiers, secrétariat général, sécurité routière, élections.
But maybe tout n'est pas dit ... What's your source, Matt?
Craig, titulaire d'un permis moto français
P.s A2 licence in France:
"Pour les personnes (âgées d'au moins 18 ans) souhaitant conduire une moto d’une puissance n’excédant pas 35 kW ; dont le rapport puissance/poids est inférieur à 0,2 kW/kg et qui n'est pas issue d'un modèle développant plus de 70 kW."
Just don't ask me what all that means in practice ...
I'm with Craig on that.
Furthermore, the compulsory 7 hours training concerns the use of a moped or scooter under 50cc for which you don't need a license.
Honestly Matt, go directly to the source, ie the French administration. Do not believe a single line of what is published in the UK on French road legislation, or any French legislation for that matter. And some people are paid to write it.
Paul
Furthermore, the compulsory 7 hours training concerns the use of a moped or scooter under 50cc for which you don't need a license.
Honestly Matt, go directly to the source, ie the French administration. Do not believe a single line of what is published in the UK on French road legislation, or any French legislation for that matter. And some people are paid to write it.
Paul
piranha-bro2
Hero member
- Location
- Melbourne
Can't comprehend for the life of me why the Norwegian authorities would destroy your Australian licence! I guess if you return to oz, the right to drive whatever you're licenced to still exists , but you'd need to get the piece of plastic back. Fuggen bureaucracy!
Tippie
Hero member
- Location
- Dr?bak, Norway
They said that if I wanted to keep it I would have to start from ground zero from car learner and up, as without handing it in for destruction I would not be able to get the Norwegian (EU) car only licence in exchange. My motorbike licence cost twice as much for a quick practice with an instructor and then the test, as it cost for a two day racing licence course I did the week after.
The Australian Drivers licence holds a higher identification status than a Oz Passport. It was the subtle way in which the Australian Government issued every adult a photo ID Citizenship Card (which was strongly rejected by referendum) and just called it a drivers licence instead. So yes... if you have had a Photo ID Australian Drivers License, the powers know everything about you and who you are doing it to.
So you can get a duplicate drivers license if the terrible Norwegians shred yours up.
Paul
Tippie
Hero member
- Location
- Dr?bak, Norway
Yes, all that is needed is proof of a permanent address in Australia.
Polygamy.
Dellortoman
Hero member
- Location
- Tasmania, Australia
Yep. I lost mine once (actually lost my wallet with all my various cards in it). Dead easy to get a replacement licence.
Pain in the arse when you also have to replace every other card in your wallet at the same time though. About a week later (after I'd organised all the card replacements) my lost wallet turned up in my letterbox. The return was anonymous and it still had all my money in it! There are some decent people in the world.
I suppose if Tippie wanted a replacement Aussie licence, he could use his brother's address.
piranha-bro2
Hero member
- Location
- Melbourne
Him?! What?! MY address? No way - all those unpaid speeding fines and failure to appear in court notices!
It is nice when people do something honest and charitable, like returning a lost wallet, Cam. The finding it after you've replaced everything in it is just good ol' Murphy's Law at work.
- Status