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Driving in South America: Part 1.2 [Get CPF / Register as Tourist]

For starting my tour across Latin America, first thing I needed was a bike. But did I just went and got one? You wouldn't be reading this blog if it was so.

It seems that purchasing a motorbike in Brazil is next to impossible after reading other travel blogs on motorcycle driving. I didn't read that before coming here otherwise I might not have planned this tour at all. Retrospectively, I'm glad I was sloppy.

But I landed there and I had to buy a bike. I started digging. Google really doesn’t help as you will search with English words and it will not produce useful results as there is not much in English available with Google.  My friend who is Brazilian here also didn’t exactly know because he never dealt with it. Nobody seemed to have ever dealt with it. Even the bike dealers also didn't know the things exactly.  Moreover I  visited 4 bike stores, no body speaks English and I managed my communications with Google translator.

Anyway after my 5-6 days of roaming here and there, interacting with a lot of people with Google translator on my mobile, I got something to share with you:

Here is the cumulative list of Requirements (I know now exactly what is needed but still want to enrich your knowledge so that you don't get surprised):

  1. A CPF ( Brazilian identification number), Required. Now the question is how to get it (Keep reading.)
  2. A bank account - Not required. To purchase a bike on a tourist visa you cannot open an account ( be careful when you search and get the results, there are many folks talking about this but the most important is Type of Visa and we are talking about Tourist Visa here).
  3. A Residence address. Required. I Used My friend's residence address, I have invitation letter from him mentioning his address and his address proof.
  4. Passport to be registered at Airport with federal police (they called it ERN or something, I forgot the exact word).  Not required to purchase a bike. Even I went to Airport federal police 3rd floor ( On terminal 1. They don't do anything like that on tourist visa of 3 Month, again my information was wrong).
  5. Passport translation and get it attested by Notary ( Not so required but may be useful along the trip).
  6. Driving license translation and get it attested by Notary Indian license is valid for 6 month trip and you even don't requited DETRAN  stamp on translation( department of motor , Brazil) ( Not so required but may be useful along the trip).
  7. Opening a Firm at Notary so that bike purchase can be made on this Not required to purchase a bike.

 So we basically need a CPF number and a residence address

 Getting CPF is literally 5 minute job free of cost.

 You need to go here: CPF Office

 

 

It’s some big government office, not easily identifiable ( no sign board on the gate you are looking across the street, as in picture).

 I was going in circles around that building, asking shopkeeper around for following address. 

 Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 375, Receita Federal Do Brasil

Just entered there, took a token and I got my number in 2 min. The Office spoke good English, saw my passport and visa, asked for mother's name and address in Brazil. I told them my mother's name is on passport. He said it's the first time he saw mother's name on a passport.

What can I say? I made a punch line “Well, India has a respect for women".

Within five minutes he gave me two copies of a printouts, said this is your CPF, I asked for Fees, he said it’s Free.

I folded it and get it laminated.

Finally the gentleman utters those 3 magical words I was yearning to hear ever since I eneterd Brazil 15 days back:

 "Welcome to Brazil"


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