Passport: travel outside CA-4; abroad it also works for voting registration (TSE Acuerdo 59-2026).
Driver's license: authorises driving; Maycom needs your valid DPI to issue it.
Carry the DPI daily, the passport when traveling, the license when driving.
Passport, DPI, and driver’s license are three different ID documents in Guatemala, and each one has a distinct purpose. This comparison explains what each is for, when they overlap, and when they do not — with the source for each rule.
Quick summary: If you can only carry one inside Guatemala, carry the DPI. If you’ll travel outside CA-4 (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua), add the passport. If you’ll drive, add the license. None of the three replaces the others.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Passport vs DPI vs Driver’s License
| Feature | Passport | DPI | Driver’s License |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | International travel document | Personal identification document | Authorization to drive |
| Issued by | Guatemalan Immigration Institute (IGM) | RENAP | Maycom, for the Departamento de Tránsito |
| Cost | US$50 (5 years) / US$85 (10 years) | Q100 (US$15 if requested abroad) | Q100 (1 year) to Q390 (5 years); first licence adds the Q700 CECOVE evaluation |
| Validity | 5 or 10 years | Renewed every 10 years; indefinite from age 70 | 1-5 years, holder’s choice |
| Travel within CA-4 | Yes | Yes (valid identity document) | No |
| Travel outside CA-4 | Yes (plus any visa the destination requires) | No | No |
| Voting | Abroad only (TSE Acuerdo 59-2026) | Yes | No |
| Driving | No | No | Yes |
| Needs a valid DPI first | Yes | — | Yes (Maycom requirement) |
| Delivery time | Same day as the appointment, per IGM | 30 business days, longer for distance (RENAP) | Not published as a single figure |
Sources: IGM tariff and passport FAQ (read 24 September 2026); RENAP tariff (Acuerdo de Directorio 15-2020 and reforms) and DPI requirements page (read 23-24 September 2026); RENAP note on Decreto 90-2005 art. 64 (10-year renewal; indefinite from 70); Maycom requirements and fees (read 21-24 September 2026); TSE Acuerdo 59-2026 as reported by Infobae (23 April 2026).
What is the DPI
The DPI (Documento Personal de Identificación) is the identification document RENAP issues to Guatemalans (Decree 90-2005). It carries the CUI (Código Único de Identificación, 13 digits). RENAP also issues a DPI to domiciled foreigners.
Uses with a source:
- Voting inside Guatemala — RENAP’s election message: present the DPI to vote
- Applying for a passport and a driver’s license (both require a valid DPI)
- Traveling within CA-4 (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua) with a valid identity document
- Opening a bank account (for example, Banrural’s requirements)
Cost and time (RENAP):
- DPI: Q100 under RENAP’s tariff (Acuerdo de Directorio 15-2020 and reforms); US$15 when requested abroad
- People over 60 are exempt from the DPI fee for a first DPI or a replacement
- Delivery: 30 business days, extended for distance
- Renewal every 10 years (Decreto 90-2005, art. 64, per RENAP); indefinite validity from age 70
See Guatemala DPI ID — full guide.
What is the Passport
The Guatemalan passport is the international travel document, issued exclusively by the Guatemalan Immigration Institute (IGM); the Código de Migración (art. 90) calls it the identity document of Guatemalans abroad. Inside CA-4 a valid identity document is enough; outside CA-4 you need the passport.
Uses:
- Travel outside CA-4 (each destination sets its own visa rules)
- ID at immigration (airport entry/exit)
- Consular procedures abroad
- Voting from abroad: TSE Acuerdo 59-2026 authorises the passport to register, update data and vote from outside Guatemala
Cost and time:
- 5-year passport: US$50
- 10-year passport: US$85 (adults only; minors can only get the 5-year passport — see passport for minors)
- Paid at Banrural in quetzales at the exchange rate IGM publishes
- Time: IGM says the passport is delivered the same day as your appointment
What the passport does NOT do:
- Doesn’t authorize driving (you need a licence)
- Doesn’t replace the DPI where a procedure asks for the DPI
See Guatemala passport.
What is the Driver’s License
The driver’s license is the authorization to operate a vehicle in Guatemala. It is issued at Maycom offices for the Departamento de Tránsito of the PNC. There are five types depending on the vehicle.
Types (Reglamento de Tránsito, art. 23):
| Type | What it’s for | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| A | Cargo vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, school and public transport | 1 to 5 years |
| B | Cars and vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes; may be paid to drive | 1 to 5 years |
| C | Cars, panels, microbuses and pick-ups up to 3.5 tonnes, not paid | 1 to 5 years |
| M | Motorbikes and motorcycles | 1 to 5 years |
| E | Agricultural and industrial machinery only | 1 to 5 years |
Costs (Maycom, checked 24 September 2026):
- Licence fee by validity, same for every type: Q100 (1 year), Q185 (2), Q260 (3), Q320 (4), Q390 (5)
- First licence: add the CECOVE theory-and-practical evaluation, Q700 (free second attempt)
- Replacement or change of type: Q100
Requirements Maycom lists: a valid DPI (original and copy) and being up to date on traffic fines, among others.
When to Use Each: Situation Table
| Situation | Document | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Flying to the USA | Passport (plus a US visa) | CA-4 ID rule does not cover the USA |
| Traveling to El Salvador, Honduras or Nicaragua | DPI or passport | CA-4 nationals may transit with a valid identity document or passport |
| Driving | Licence | Reglamento de Tránsito, arts. 23 and 183 |
| Opening a Banrural account (Guatemalan) | DPI | Banrural requirements |
| Opening a Banrural account (foreigner) | Passport; plus the domiciled-foreigner DPI if resident, or a representative’s mandate and DPI if not | Banrural requirements, read 8 October 2026 |
| Voting inside Guatemala | DPI | RENAP |
| Voting from abroad | DPI or passport | TSE Acuerdo 59-2026 |
| Getting or renewing a driver’s licence | DPI | Maycom requirements |
| Crossing into Mexico at the border (Regional Visitor Card, TVR) | Passport or identity/travel document; the TVR is issued at the border and is valid in 5 border states, 7 days per visit | INM, Tarjeta de Visitante Regional (Mexico is outside CA-4) |
What Happens if You Have the Wrong ID
You have the DPI but not the licence, and you’re driving
- Traffic police: Q400 fine for driving without a licence (Reglamento de Tránsito, art. 183) or Q200 for not carrying it (art. 181).
You have the DPI but you’re flying outside CA-4
- The CA-4 rule lets you move within Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua with an identity document; outside that region, plan on the passport.
You have the licence but a procedure asks for the DPI
- The licence is not on the ID lists we checked (RENAP voting message, Maycom, Banrural). Bring the DPI.
Special Cases
Guatemalan diaspora in the USA visiting Guatemala
- DPI: you can request it abroad (US$15 under RENAP’s tariff) through a consulate
- Passport: valid for travel
- License: a valid US license works while your immigration authorisation is in force (art. 24); if you become resident, you must transfer it via the Departamento de Tránsito
Foreigner residing in Guatemala
- DPI for domiciled foreigners: issued by RENAP; Banrural asks resident foreigners for it
- Passport: from your country of origin
- License: with residency, transferring your foreign license to a Guatemalan one is obligatory (Reglamento de Tránsito, art. 24)
Foreign tourist
- Passport: your travel document
- License: your valid home-country license works while your immigration authorisation is in force (art. 24)
- No DPI — RENAP’s DPI is for Guatemalans and domiciled foreigners
Guatemalan minor
- DPI: not the adult DPI, but since October 1, 2026 RENAP issues the DPIME for ages 0-17, first issue free
- Passport: yes, 5-year only — see passport for minors for the parental requirements
- License: from age 16, Type C or M only, with written authorization from a parent or guardian (Reglamento de Tránsito, art. 26)
Cost Summary to Have Everything
| Document | Cost |
|---|---|
| DPI | Q100 (US$15 if requested abroad) |
| Passport, 5 years | US$50 |
| Passport, 10 years | US$85 |
| Driver’s license, any type | Q700 CECOVE evaluation the first time + Q100 (1 year) to Q390 (5 years) |
| First-time set (DPI + 5-year passport + 1-year licence) | Q900 + US$50 |
| Renewal set (DPI + 5-year passport + 1-year licence) | Q200 + US$50 |
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: I have a license, I don’t need a DPI
False. Maycom asks for a valid DPI to issue the licence, so the licence depends on the DPI.
Mistake 2: I’ll carry the passport, I don’t need the DPI
Inside Guatemala, some procedures ask specifically for the DPI — voting (RENAP) and the driver’s licence (Maycom) among them.
Mistake 3: My US license is an International License automatically
False. A US licence is not an International Driving Permit. You do not need one to drive in Guatemala on a valid foreign licence while your immigration authorisation is in force (art. 24); see our international driving permit guide if you want one anyway.
Mistake 4: An expired DPI is fine
RENAP renews the DPI every 10 years (indefinite from age 70). Maycom asks for a valid DPI. Renew before it expires.
Mistake 5: If I lose my passport abroad, I’ll use my DPI
The DPI only covers travel within CA-4. If you lose your passport abroad, contact a Guatemalan consulate; see lost or stolen passport.
For Diaspora from USA
If you live in the United States:
- Keep the DPI valid — it can be requested abroad through a consulate (US$15)
- Guatemalan passport — your Guatemalan travel document, and from 2026 also valid for registering and voting from abroad (TSE Acuerdo 59-2026)
- US license — works during visits while your immigration authorisation is in force; if you move back as a resident, you must transfer it
- If planning a permanent return, get everything before moving
Final Decision: Optimal Combination
If you live in Guatemala full-time:
- Valid DPI
- Valid passport if you travel outside CA-4
- Driver’s license of the corresponding type if you drive
If you’re diaspora visiting:
- Valid DPI (requestable abroad)
- Valid Guatemalan passport
- US license for driving while your immigration authorisation is in force
If you’re a foreigner resident:
- DPI for domiciled foreigners
- Passport from your country
- Guatemalan license transferred from your foreign one (obligatory with residency)
Related Internal Links
- Guatemala DPI ID — Full Guide
- Guatemala Passport
- NIT vs CUI vs DPI
- Guatemalan Consulates in USA
- CUI/NIT Lookup from USA
- Returning to Guatemala Checklist
- Wise vs Remitly Guatemala
Analysis re-sourced 8 October 2026 against RENAP, IGM, Maycom, the Reglamento de Tránsito, Banrural and TSE Acuerdo 59-2026; passport and licence costs corrected 24 September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is each one for: passport, DPI, or driver's license?
The DPI is the personal identification document RENAP issues to Guatemalans, and CA-4 nationals (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua) can move within the region with a valid identity document or a passport. The passport, issued by the Guatemalan Immigration Institute (IGM), is the travel document for countries outside CA-4. The driver’s license, issued at Maycom for the Departamento de Tránsito, authorises driving.
Can I use my driver's license instead of DPI?
Not where a procedure asks for the DPI. RENAP’s message for elections is that you present the DPI to vote, Maycom itself asks for a valid DPI to issue or renew a licence, and Banrural’s account requirements for Guatemalans and resident foreigners are built around the DPI. Any other office sets its own ID list; ask before you go.
Does my passport work as ID inside Guatemala?
Article 90 of the Código de Migración (Decreto 44-2016) defines the passport as the identity document of Guatemalans abroad, issued exclusively by IGM. Inside Guatemala, some procedures ask specifically for the DPI — for example voting inside Guatemala (RENAP) and getting a driver’s licence at Maycom — so carry the DPI. Abroad, TSE Acuerdo 59-2026 lets Guatemalans register, update their data and vote with either the passport or the DPI.
Which do I get first, DPI or passport?
First the DPI, then the passport: the passport appointment requires a valid DPI. RENAP’s tariff lists the DPI at Q100 (US$15 when requested abroad), and RENAP sets a delivery period of 30 business days, longer for distance. The passport is issued by the Guatemalan Immigration Institute (IGM): US$50 for 5 years or US$85 for 10 years, paid at Banrural in quetzales at the exchange rate IGM publishes; IGM says it is delivered the same day as the appointment.
Does my passport let me drive in Guatemala?
No. Driving requires a valid driver’s license of the corresponding type (Reglamento de Tránsito, art. 23). Neither the passport nor the DPI authorises driving. The Reglamento sets a Q400 fine for driving without a licence (art. 183) and a Q200 fine for not carrying it (art. 181).
Can I use a US driver's license to drive in Guatemala?
Yes. A valid foreign licence lets you drive the vehicles it covers for as long as your immigration authorisation is in force (Reglamento de Tránsito, art. 24) — there is no fixed 90-day limit. Once you become a resident, art. 24 makes transferring it to a Guatemalan licence obligatory, through the Departamento de Tránsito. See foreign license conversion.
What ID do I need to open a bank account in Guatemala?
It depends on the bank. Banrural’s additional requirements for foreigners (read 8 October 2026) ask for a valid passport and a copy; a resident foreigner also presents the DPI for domiciled foreigners; a non-resident must present a mandate with representation and the DPI of the representative; plus a recent utility bill and the documents showing migratory status. A driver’s licence is not on that list.
