Licence and IDP rules
Motorcycle licence and IDP rules for riding in Colombia (2026)
A valid foreign licence is accepted for tourists during their authorised stay; Bogotá's city government puts the limit at six months. An IDP is not required by law, though rental firms may ask for one.
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.
Check what you need for Colombia
Three answers and you get a plain verdict. Rules checked against official sources; links below.
This is general information from official sources, not legal advice. Rules change; check with the embassy if your trip depends on it.
The rules in Colombia
- International Driving Permit
- Colombia is party to neither convention and does not require an IDP by law. Rental firms may ask for one (GOV.UK).
- Licence on its own
- Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP.
- Motorcycle category
- Ride only what your licence covers. An IDP never adds a motorcycle category.
- Helmets
- Compulsory for rider and passenger, and the passenger must also wear the reflective vest required of the rider (Law 769, article 96).
- Insurance
- Travel insurers commonly refuse claims if you crash without a valid licence for the bike you were riding. New Zealand's government warns that without a motorcycle licence your travel insurance may be void. Read your policy before you ride.
What you need, by where your licence is from
Assumes your licence includes the motorcycle category. Without it, no IDP makes riding legal.
| Riders from | What you need in Colombia |
|---|---|
| United States | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| United Kingdom | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| Australia | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| Canada | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| Germany | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| Ireland | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| New Zealand | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| France | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| Netherlands | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| Switzerland | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| India | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| Singapore | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| South Africa | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| Israel | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
| Brazil | Yes: your licence is valid for your stay. Colombia's traffic code (Law 769 of 2002, article 25) accepts valid foreign licences held by tourists for their authorised stay, and Bogotá's city government gives a limit of six months. GOV.UK notes rental firms may require an IDP. |
No motorcycle licence?
An IDP never adds a motorcycle category, so without one you can't legally ride in Colombia. You can ride pillion behind a licensed local rider, or join a guided tour where a staff rider carries you, if the operator offers that. A guided tour does not make it legal to ride yourself without a licence.
Questions riders ask
- Do I need an IDP to ride in Colombia?
- Not by law. Your valid home licence is accepted during your stay, but a rental firm may still ask for an IDP.
- How long can I ride on a foreign licence in Colombia?
- For your authorised stay; Bogotá's city government says six months.
Sources
Checked on 2026-11-05.
- Ley 769 de 2002 (Código Nacional de Tránsito), Secretaría del Senado
- Bogotá city government: using a foreign licence in Bogotá
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Colombia, safety and security
- SafeTravel (New Zealand Government): driving overseas
- UN Treaty Collection: 1949 Convention on Road Traffic, status
- UN Treaty Collection: 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, status
This page is general information drawn from the sources above, not legal advice. Rules change; if your trip depends on it, check with the embassy of the country you're visiting.
Tours in Colombia
See every motorcycle tour listed in Colombia. If you're unsure what you'll need on a particular trip, ask the operator about licence requirements through the enquiry form on the tour page before you book.
Motorcycle tours in Colombia