I think I picked out the correct sub-forum for this... Anyone have any ideas on the requirements for driver's licenses out in europe? Would one need an international driver's license, or would my canadian (Alberta) license suffice for driving out there?
(Okay, fine, I admit it - Asking because I want to hit up "the ring", or whatever that racetrack is called that's over 10km long... ^_^ This folf wants to hit up an actual track, not dodge pylons (aka solosport/solo2/autocross/rallycross). Too bad the airlines probably wouldn't let me drag my helmet on with me >.>)
In the US, international driver's licenses are issued through AAA. All they appear to be is a document saying you have your own driver's license in your own country. They are not valid unless presented with your regular license, and they are required in the European Union as well as most foreign countries.
Quote from: whitewulfe on 14.02.2007, 00:50:19
I think I picked out the correct sub-forum for this... Anyone have any ideas on the requirements for driver's licenses out in europe? Would one need an international driver's license, or would my canadian (Alberta) license suffice for driving out there?
You could've, like, checked with the embassy? (http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada-europa/germany/canadiansabroad04-en.asp (http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada-europa/germany/canadiansabroad04-en.asp))
.
(To answer your question, your licence will be valid, but an international driver's licence is recommended.)
Quote from: whitewulfe on 14.02.2007, 00:50:19
(Okay, fine, I admit it - Asking because I want to hit up "the ring", or whatever that racetrack is called that's over 10km long... ^_^ This folf wants to hit up an actual track, not dodge pylons (aka solosport/solo2/autocross/rallycross). Too bad the airlines probably wouldn't let me drag my helmet on with me >.>)
You
are aware of the fact that engaging in such activities with a rented vehicle explicitly voids the insurance on the vehicle and allows the agency to declare the rental agreement void, are you?
The Nürburgring offers several traynings: http://www.nuerburgring.de/home/index.html?L=1 (http://www.nuerburgring.de/home/index.html?L=1)
Have fun out there, its worth it ;D
Quote from: Recherei on 14.02.2007, 01:56:24
In the US, international driver's licenses are issued through AAA. All they appear to be is a document saying you have your own driver's license in your own country. They are not valid unless presented with your regular license, and they are required in the European Union as well as most foreign countries.
Weird, I could've sworn up in Canada it was a little different... Or maybe it was just different because my father was with the flying geese, aka 408 TacHel (in english, air force).... Or maybe it is just a piece of paper. o_O And hey, apparently I'm 2cm taller than I actually am according to the DMV *chuckles*
Quote from: doco on 14.02.2007, 02:03:20
You could've, like, checked with the embassy? (http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada-europa/germany/canadiansabroad04-en.asp (http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada-europa/germany/canadiansabroad04-en.asp))
.
(To answer your question, your licence will be valid, but an international driver's licence is recommended.)
Ah, thank you... I completely forgot to think about the embassy... Thanks for pointing that out (Jeez, I feel like a fool for forgetting about them)
Quote from: doco on 14.02.2007, 02:03:20
You are aware of the fact that engaging in such activities with a rented vehicle explicitly voids the insurance on the vehicle and allows the agency to declare the rental agreement void, are you?
Fully aware of such, just like I'm fully aware that my kouki ae92 trueno/corolla, if ever pulled over by the rozzers in any province other than Alberta (especially if in BC near Kamloops or Vancouver *chuckles nervously*) I'd be in even more trouble than lack of insurance. ~_^ (Having a grocery getter capable of 350+kph is a bad thing, apparently, especially if it can get there in a very short time). Wasn't planning on using a rental car to hit up a track, I may be a silly Canadian, but I'm not that silly.
Sides, I'd heard rumours over on DoriKaze that the Nurburgring offers rental cars for that specific purpose (with training provided as well, although I'd need to get me a suit too, grr. Folfy hasn't gotten into solo1 yet (too expensive, $600 per event is tad steep for 20 runs around Race City) nor has he gotten into performance rally (well, DRIVING in rally, lol), the only two sports out here (besides ice racing) that require a race suit)
Quote from: Nightfox on 14.02.2007, 08:02:54
The Nürburgring offers several traynings: http://www.nuerburgring.de/home/index.html?L=1 (http://www.nuerburgring.de/home/index.html?L=1)
Have fun out there, its worth it ;D
I full well intent to have a huuuge blast there. And take the bragging rights of being the first DoriKaze member to drive it... ^_^ Well, unless the one fellow doing an exchange schooling in Germany beats us all to the punch... (Sure billzilla's probably done it, but hey, he's driven Formula 1 ~_^)
And if I'm to have fun, I should probably renew my license, it expires in two months.. >.>
I had a Porsche race training there wich was awsome plus several times with a private car.
Also one time with my Kawasaki but this was a little too extreme for me.
You have a Kawasaki, Nightfox? Which one?
Someday, and this day may never come, I want to race that track with my bike, too. But propably not with my Hornet.
Well, it was a Kawasaki GPZ 900 but since i lost my kneecap in an accident i'm not driving anymore........
*whisper* and yes, the double bend was worth it ;)
Quote from: Nightfox on 14.02.2007, 17:32:25
I had a Porsche race training there wich was awsome plus several times with a private car.
Also one time with my Kawasaki but this was a little too extreme for me.
Sounds like fun... We've got the Evolution driver training out here (as well as performance rally training), however Race City is kind of lacking in certain ways (aka half the track is one long straight away, so it seems), and the nearest decent track is a good 7-10 hours away, in Vancouver (depending on whether you do the speed limit or not, I know people who've done the trip in five hours ~_^).
Quote from: Nightfox on 14.02.2007, 21:08:16
Well, it was a Kawasaki GPZ 900 but since i lost my kneecap in an accident i'm not driving anymore........
*whisper* and yes, the double bend was worth it ;)
The risks of driving motorcycles. I'm glad nothing bad happend to me yet. Some dents and scratches until now. Well, if you ever feel the need of returning to two wheels and an engine, feel free to tell me. I'll pick you up. ^^
Quote from: Recherei on 14.02.2007, 01:56:24
In the US, international driver's licenses are issued through AAA. All they appear to be is a document saying you have your own driver's license in your own country. They are not valid unless presented with your regular license, and they are required in the European Union as well as most foreign countries.
Unless you have a CDL, The CDL was made a international license in 1988 by the feds. I checked it out and my CDL is valid in europe by it's self.
For the most part, as long as you are just visiting, you're US driver's license is alright. But, if you get stopped for anything, expect a hard time. Just, make sure you know what the road signs (all 150 of them) mean. Because, you will have a hard time reading what the signs actually say when you are doing 130+. :P
Well I checked not for a car but for a comercial truck.
Quote from: Fawks Beaumont on 12.03.2007, 23:33:17
Just, make sure you know what the road signs (all 150 of them) mean.
On this page you find some German traffic signs and signals: http://gettingaroundgermany.home.att.net/zeichen.htm (http://gettingaroundgermany.home.att.net/zeichen.htm)
There's signs for speed limits when it's wet? Wow, and I thought we had it bad here in Canada with day/night ones (night usually being for the "big rigs"). Maybe bus/train is a better idea after all...
Yeah, and even worst is the fact that those when wet signs are followed up with the end of speed zone signs, and they can get mixed up really easy with the no speed limit signs on the Autobuhns.
Quote from: Fawks Beaumont on 14.03.2007, 20:53:23
Yeah, and even worst is the fact that those when wet signs are followed up with the end of speed zone signs, and they can get mixed up really easy with the no speed limit signs on the Autobuhns.
Lemme guess, it all becomes second nature after driving it for a while?
Yeah... except I don't drive in Germany too much. Still hate the Ausfarts on the Autobuhn, they will throw you off really quick, because they list like 5 places per exit, and they change as you get closer... But, it's not too bad to drive through, and when you have a rental, well... the fun doesn't stop.
Quote from: Fawks Beaumont on 14.03.2007, 21:17:12
Yeah... except I don't drive in Germany too much. Still hate the Ausfarts on the Autobuhn, they will throw you off really quick, because they list like 5 places per exit, and they change as you get closer... But, it's not too bad to drive through, and when you have a rental, well... the fun doesn't stop.
If I can pull it off, I'm soo bringing my rally car next year, screw the $3k CAD hit to my wallet each way ^_^ There's 94/100 octane fuel out there, right? (aka ultra premium)
Yeah, 95/98 is about the only things you will find, unless you REALLY look around. I think in Germany it is somewhere around 1.40-1.50/litre. But, I could be wrong.
Quote from: Fawks Beaumont on 14.03.2007, 21:24:27
Yeah, 95/98 is about the only things you will find, unless you REALLY look around. I think in Germany it is somewhere around 1.40-1.50/litre. But, I could be wrong.
Grrf, that would mean I'd have to tone things down or buy actual race fuel, since the engine's designed to run off of 94/100 octane fuel (how else does one expect to get 400whp out of a 1.6L engine? ^_^). They sell VP Racing fuels out there, aka C3 and the like race fuels?
You can get 100 octane fuel on allmost every station over here....thats no problem
Quote from: Nightfox on 14.03.2007, 22:25:46
You can get 100 octane fuel on allmost every station over here....thats no problem
Ah, okay *breathes a sigh of relief* Race fuel starts at $2 per litre here, so I don't even want to know how expensive it would be out there... (and booo, 87/regular (no idea what european equivalent is) is now 93.5c per litre, which means my 94/100 octane is like.. $1.15 per litre, but I can't complain because it's like twice that in europe (I've heard it's something outrageous like 98 pence a litre in london atm))
Todays fuel prizes:
Benzin 1,26
Super 1,28
Super Plus 1,35
100 octan 1,41
all prizes in euro
Quote from: Nightfox on 14.03.2007, 22:46:44
Todays fuel prizes:
Benzin 1,26
Super 1,28
Super Plus 1,35
100 octan 1,41
all prizes in euro
Hmmm, so yeah, about twice as much when you factor in the conversion from CAD->EUR. And WTF, 87 octane is anywhere from 84.9 to 99.9 in my city. o_O
Benzin = 91 octane
Super = 95 octane
Super Plus = 98 octane
so, 91 is the lowest you can get
Quote from: Nightfox on 14.03.2007, 22:55:24
Benzin = 91 octane
Super = 95 octane
Super Plus = 98 octane
so, 91 is the lowest you can get
*facepaws* Oh yeah, I keep forgetting that North America and Europe use different measurings for octane rating... Tis (RON+MON)/2 here, and straight RON out there... 87=91=Regular, 89=94=RegularPlus (or just Plus), 92=98=Premium, and 94=100=SuperPremium (or UltraPremium)
Nightfox, Whats #2 or closest grade diesel running in price?
Look here (http://benzinpreis.de/statistik.phtml) for example...
Jojo
Thankyou Runoratsu.
Well I am going to pay the $10,000 shipping bill and have the Peterbuilt sent with me, so if there is diesel near by the smoke will roll.
Quote from: Jager on 17.03.2007, 05:43:52
Well I am going to pay the $10,000 shipping bill and have the Peterbuilt sent with me, so if there is diesel near by the smoke will roll.
::)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Zeichen_390.svg/180px-Zeichen_390.svg.png)
;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Jager on 17.03.2007, 05:43:52
Well I am going to pay the $10,000 shipping bill and have the Peterbuilt sent with me, so if there is diesel near by the smoke will roll.
The Gasstations stop the fuelflow at 600 liter.
As doco said, you have to pay for every single meter you drive when you use a truck.
Plus you have to change the headlights to european standard and it is not possible to park such a thing at the convention hotel.
Quote from: Jager on 17.03.2007, 05:43:52
Well I am going to pay the $10,000 shipping bill and have the Peterbuilt sent with me, so if there is diesel near by the smoke will roll.
What a waste! Please, donate the $10000 tp Eurofurence instead ... we could make much better use of it :) *lol*
I know about the road useage fees for a large truck, and the limted fuel and changeing the lights and so on. I don't care, My shipping compeny will ship it full of fuel all 2870Liters and I'll handel any and all parking issues.
Quote from: Jager on 17.03.2007, 21:54:44
I know about the road useage fees for a large truck, and the limted fuel and changeing the lights and so on. I don't care, My shipping compeny will ship it full of fuel all 2870Liters and I'll handel any and all parking issues.
Yeah, right. ;D
Whatever doco.
Quote from: Cheetah on 17.03.2007, 15:49:21What a waste! Please, donate the $10000 tp Eurofurence instead ... we could make much better use of it :) *lol*
But it's a known fact, north american currency is worthless outside of north america... ~_^ (especially my pitiful canadian dollar, it's like.... $1.60 per euro *whimper*). Jasper and Banff exist for a reason, and it ain't the snowboarding ~_^
And 2870 litres of fuel? By gawd, my 400hp rally car could sit at 9,000rpm for 24 hours straight easily with that kind of fuel.... All she's got though is a 40L/10gallon tank *pouts* Somehow though, she still gets 10L/100km, weird (my daily driver (101hp, 102lbs-ft torque)before the engine blew and rings started leaking was making 7.7L/100km, not bad for a block with 360,000km on it, and a head that had a three angle valve job as well as port and polish).
But yeah, why would one spend ten grand to bring a hauler out to germany?
And hey, my car would be road legal right away (well, okay, I'd have to change the tail lights because I haven't modded mine to Trueno Sprinter specs yet :P), yay for Hella "72200" H4conversion kits. ^_^ They might complain about the WRC spec cage in it though. ~_^
I might be cool to drive around in a truck wasting tons of fuel for nothing and pollute the environment in the usa. But to be honest you can not impress anyone over here when you acting like this.
Maybe it would be better to behave like a guest when you are visiting another country, and not like the terminator ;)
Allow me to explain, I am not trying to impress anyone. This is just someing I have wanted to do since I was a little kid, Now I have the chance to do it and I am takeing it.
Now the truck it's self runs very clean if I trun the pump back down and don't floor it all the time, Also it won't be there during the con. I am visiting for two weeks and the plan is for the rig to arrive after the con.
Since you were a little kid you want to polute germany?
Ah i understand, and doing this not at the convention but afterwards is better..............
Ummm... NightFox, I think that Jager wanted to say that he wanted to have a truck from his early childhood. Im certain, he did not want to pollute anything...
Lokosicek your close, I have always wanted to drive a semi tractor on the autobahn, Thats been my childhood dream. Nightfox my reasone for that is this, I am the son of trucker. I grew up drit poor bounceing all over the US in the cab of a truck till I was 15, But all my younger years where spent hearing tales of the ice road, outback, Kamakaza trail and euro truckers. As one might picture those stories stuck with me and left a yearning to be like my heros, And to be able to say I have done it. So far I have seen four of my childhood dreams come true, Got my CDL, My rig, Run the Kamakaza trail and the Ice road. I have two left Europe and the austrailan outback. Since I have a friend that will pay all my costs to run europe in my rig I am going to do it, Just because I may never get that chance again in my lifetime.
I'd much rather see how fast I could get my rolla going down the autobahn, see how many lambos and ferarris I pass with a "low end grocery getter", and what kind of dirty looks I get ^_^ (Ah, sooo can't wait until spring hits fully here, the lambos, ford gt's, ferarris, and various other supersports cars come out downtown, driven by hotheaded kids who think they're cool driving daddy oil rig's car ^_^)
It's the same down here only it's Walmart brats, I can't outrun in my everyday driver but I can and do hit them. Here is my everyday driver a 1979 Toyota I got for free
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/ParadiseTrucking/BareakersInc001-1.jpg) It was free because the floor pan was rotted out and one of the frame rails is rotted out. I fiberglassed the floor painted, added the stack and replaced everything that was shot in the supension.
I think my answer would be to personal now, so end of discussion for me.
Quote from: Jager on 19.03.2007, 13:49:49
It's the same down here only it's Walmart brats, I can't outrun in my everyday driver but I can and do hit them.
We've got them out here as well... They do silly things like blow past you in a 50 zone, and then brake so early into turns that even grandmothers pass them....
Yeah but we got the home office of walmart just up the road, Bentonville is just 20 miles from Fayetteville. Nightfox if you want to say something you can PM if you don't want everyone eles to read it. I respect honosty so say whats on your mind.
I usually just ignore crazy drivers, it's up to the proper authorities to take care of them.
And with such driving habits, they sooner or later will draw attention and get busted.
I'm only interested in getting from point A to point B, without going bankrupt. ;)
If hauling several tons of steel across European roads blows your skirt up, then be my guest, just don't make it a habit. ;D
Don't worry I do not drive like a grandmother, I just like fuel-efficient cars.
I can understand that, I guess I am just a little crazyer then most.
Quote from: K9Primate on 20.03.2007, 17:37:04Don't worry I do not drive like a grandmother, I just like fuel-efficient cars.
I like -fast- fuel efficient cars... Sooo must get my paws on a GSX-600R, even if it's not a car *giggles* Minimum I'll take in a car is 30mpg, aka 10L/100km or better.... Probably why I love tall geared corollas sooo much, drop a six speed close ratio under the hood and even on the highway she flies like no tomorrow and gets good mileage (sadly my SR5 only got 30.2mpg before she blew, piston rings were kind of dying on me, probably why she went boom on me... Had a 90 GT-S tranny attached to that torquey 4afe, but highway driving sucked at 4,400rpm at 110kph, just under the torque peak...)
Quote from: whitewulfe on 21.03.2007, 09:15:47
Quote from: K9Primate on 20.03.2007, 17:37:04Don't worry I do not drive like a grandmother, I just like fuel-efficient cars.
I like -fast- fuel efficient cars... Sooo must get my paws on a GSX-600R, even if it's not a car *giggles* Minimum I'll take in a car is 30mpg, aka 10L/100km or better.... Probably why I love tall geared corollas sooo much, drop a six speed close ratio under the hood and even on the highway she flies like no tomorrow and gets good mileage (sadly my SR5 only got 30.2mpg before she blew, piston rings were kind of dying on me, probably why she went boom on me... Had a 90 GT-S tranny attached to that torquey 4afe, but highway driving sucked at 4,400rpm at 110kph, just under the torque peak...)
Man do I have a ride for you then, The Yamaha RD400. 65mpg and a top speed of 165, Not bad for a 1970's bike.
Man, am I glad to have my Hornet. Just 4,6l/100km and goes up to 229km/h. As for the official part. I don't know how fast she really is. Didn't try yet.
The GSX600R is really a nice bike but I like the 675 Daytona more. That sound makes me feel...
Quote from: Okami on 21.03.2007, 16:36:42
Man, am I glad to have my Hornet. Just 4,6l/100km and goes up to 229km/h. As for the official part. I don't know how fast she really is. Didn't try yet.
The GSX600R is really a nice bike but I like the 675 Daytona more. That sound makes me feel...
Well, as nice as the GSX-600R is, it's a pricey little girl ($13.5k CAD, last time I checked), and I'd probably kill myself with that kind of power... And if I wanted to go fast, there's always chipping a 'busa, slapping on a turbo, and then going vroom vroom, blowing by people at over 360kph ^_^
I'll probably just get a Duke II and call it a day, seeing that people are selling those used here with 5,000km tops for around... uhm... $5k CAD or so...
If you have to power between your legs you don't have to show it, do you? Of course noone really want's to mess with a busa but there are idiots everywhere. As I like to say: Everyone's in my way. Even me.
There will be a new busa this year with 1400ccm. I wander how fast that one will go.
Just found this handy list of driving tips:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,414677,00.html
Quote from: Recherei on 22.03.2007, 18:40:47
Just found this handy list of driving tips:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,414677,00.html
*giggles*
Those are WAY exaggerated. There's a grain of truth in each of them, though :)
Quote from: Recherei on 22.03.2007, 18:40:47
Just found this handy list of driving tips:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,414677,00.html
Hilarious!
Sure, it's full of subleties and lotsa overstatements, but fun to read and yes, in the baseline I can confirm it :)
However, due to my limited driving knowledge of other countries I can't compare it.
*purrrr*
"Don't leave your car running when waiting for someone. You'll either get a ticket or passers-by will kick your car because you're polluting Germany."
LOL, this is so true.
And its amazing, during our usa trips i have seen it several times...........
Quote from: Nightfox on 22.03.2007, 21:05:01
"Don't leave your car running when waiting for someone. You'll either get a ticket or passers-by will kick your car because you're polluting Germany."
LOL, this is so true.
And its amazing, during our usa trips i have seen it several times...........
I'll only do that if it's -20 or lower, and if only for a short time (20 seconds or less). If we're hitting up the sev or something, engine goes off... My heater works pretty well, so I don't need to idle me engine... The joys of engines partially designed by Yamaha ^_^
And hey, if I wanted overkill, why not get that 2.6L V8 that revs to like 13.5k, custom manufactured in the UK out of two hayabusa engines? Then throw it into a super 7 clone, and bam... Instant kickass at the autoslalom/solosport.
Quote from: Nightfox on 22.03.2007, 21:05:01
"Don't leave your car running when waiting for someone. You'll either get a ticket or passers-by will kick your car because you're polluting Germany."
LOL, this is so true.
And its amazing, during our usa trips i have seen it several times...........
Gosh I didn't know they really do that in Germany.
Because to be honest you don't have to go all the way to the US, they also do that over here. ::)
But luckily I don't have that habit, but it never hurts to be warned.
Quote from: Zefiro on 22.03.2007, 20:17:07
Sure, it's full of subleties and lotsa overstatements, but fun to read and yes, in the baseline I can confirm it :)
However, due to my limited driving knowledge of other countries I can't compare it.
*purrrr*
Well compared to here in Holland, in my experience it's less chaotic.
Many traffic regulations which the Dutch think are optional (according to law it isn't, but they get away with it anyway) in Germany they are obligatory, and you'd better comply or get into serious trouble indeed.
I however must note that I did enjoy my travels through Germany. :)
Actually, it's quite simple. Use your turn indicators and do not attempt speeds you're uncomfortable at.
Can you imagine the havoc the average "uneducated" American driver could cause in a situation like this? ;D
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Verkehrsleitsystem_Nuernberg_1.JPG/800px-Verkehrsleitsystem_Nuernberg_1.JPG)
(Did you get the meaning of all the signs in five seconds or less? Good.)
Yeah, I remember the first time I drove through Germany, I crossed over by Aachen and ended up in Holland because those signs through me off so badly at first, but it's easy to adjust.
Quote from: doco on 24.03.2007, 01:56:59
Actually, it's quite simple. Use your turn indicators and do not attempt speeds you're uncomfortable at.
Can you imagine the havoc the average "uneducated" American driver could cause in a situation like this? ;D
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Verkehrsleitsystem_Nuernberg_1.JPG/800px-Verkehrsleitsystem_Nuernberg_1.JPG)
(Did you get the meaning of all the signs in five seconds or less? Good.)
That doesn't loook soo simple to me...
(but maybe it's just me trying to understand something more complicated than what I'm used to when under the influence of two vodka shooters and half a 375 of jager in all of ten minutes)
First off all: Don't use the orange arrows unless directed, these are recommended detours and are slower then the normal route.
A city name with a number next to it marks the way to the autobahn with the corresponding number heading into the corresponding city. The number between the arrows indicates the current autobahn. (Import because sometimes the lanes split up)
Exits are parked with a tilted arrow and a name. These are marked with a rising number which you can also find on your map.