The Type A license is Guatemala’s highest-level driver’s license, authorizing you to operate all types of vehicles on public roads — from freight trucks over 3.5 metric tons to school buses, public transport buses, and everything smaller. If you want to drive commercially for a trucking company, operate a school bus, or work as a professional long-haul driver, this is the license you need.
Guatemala’s road freight industry connects the country to Mexico and the rest of Central America, and the demand for qualified Type A drivers is constant. The same applies to public transport: bus operators across the country require their drivers to hold a Type A license. The requirements are the strictest of any license type — you must be at least 25 years old with at least three years of continuous driving experience, and the CECOVE heavy vehicle exam tests your ability to handle large rigs safely.
For those already working in transportation, upgrading to Type A expands your employment options considerably. Many trucking companies and bus operators will not hire drivers without it, and having the proper license protects you legally in case of an accident. The investment in the exam and upgrade process pays for itself quickly through access to better-paying driving jobs.
Quick summary: Type A license costs approximately Q850 plus the notary (Q100 transfer + Q700 CECOVE evaluation + ~Q50 eye test). Requires age 25+, 3+ years with a valid Type B or C license, a CECOVE exam, and a notarized copy of your 6th-grade primaria certificate. Process takes 1-2 days at a Maycom center.
Prices verified 24 September 2026 at transito.gob.gt and maycom.com.gt. Check our exchange rate page for today’s USD/GTQ rate.
What Type A Covers
| Vehicle Category | Type A | Type B | Type C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars up to 3.5 tons | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Commercial passenger (taxi, shuttle) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Freight trucks over 3.5 tons | Yes | No | No |
| Public transit buses | Yes | No | No |
| School transport | Yes | No | No |
| Tractor-trailers | Yes | No | No |
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 25 years |
| Prior license | Valid Type B or Type C for at least 3 years |
| Driving exam | CECOVE heavy vehicle evaluation |
| Education | Notarized copy of 6th-grade primaria title, diploma or certificate |
| Eye exam | From licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist |
| Traffic fines | Must be current (solvente) |
| Payment | Q100 transfer fee (paid only at Banrural inside Maycom) |
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Transfer fee | Q100 |
| CECOVE evaluation (theory + practical) | Q700 |
| Eye exam | ~Q50 (varies by clinic) |
| Notarized certificate copy | Notary’s fee (no published rate) |
| Total (approximate) | ~Q850 + notary |
The Departamento de Transito and Maycom list only the Q100 payment for a transfer. If you also buy validity, the general rates apply: Q100 (1 year), Q185 (2), Q260 (3), Q320 (4), Q390 (5).
Step-by-Step Process
- Verify eligibility. Confirm you are at least 25 years old and have held a valid Type B or Type C license for at least 3 years. Check your license history at any Maycom center if unsure.
- Pass the CECOVE heavy vehicle exam. This is a specialized driving evaluation using large vehicles. CECOVE centers that offer the Type A test are less common than those for Type C — call ahead to confirm availability.
- Get a notarized copy of your 6th-grade primaria title, diploma or certificate from an active notary public.
- Get your eye exam from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist registered with the Colegio de Medicos.
- Verify you have no pending traffic fines. Clear any outstanding multas before proceeding.
- Pay at the Banrural agency inside Maycom — Q100 transfer fee.
- Visit a Maycom center with: DPI (original and copy), current license, CECOVE certificate, notarized diploma, eye exam results, and Banrural receipt.
- Receive your Type A license — typically issued the same day.
Tips & Common Mistakes
Not all CECOVE centers offer Type A testing. The heavy vehicle exam requires specific equipment and vehicles. Call ahead to confirm the center has trucks available for the Type A evaluation. Centers in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango are your best bet.
Practice with the actual vehicle type before the exam. If you have been driving a sedan for three years and show up to drive a truck for the first time at the CECOVE exam, you will likely fail. Get practice time on a heavy vehicle first.
Your 3-year experience requirement is strict. If your license lapsed even briefly, the consecutive years may reset. If in doubt, visit Maycom to check your license history before paying for the CECOVE exam.
Keep your Type A license current. Employers in the transport industry regularly verify license validity. An expired Type A means you cannot legally drive commercially, and your employer is liable if something happens.
Details
The Type A CECOVE exam is significantly more demanding than the Type C or Type B tests. You will be evaluated on a truck or bus — not a sedan. Key elements include:
- Pre-trip inspection: You must demonstrate knowledge of checking tires, brakes, lights, fluid levels, and coupling equipment on a heavy vehicle.
- Backing and parking: Expect to back into a loading dock or parking space with a large vehicle. Mirrors and spatial awareness are critical.
- Highway driving: You will drive on real roads with traffic. The evaluator watches for lane discipline, mirror usage, signaling, and safe following distance with a heavy vehicle.
- Downhill braking: Guatemala’s mountain roads require engine braking techniques. The evaluator may test your ability to control speed on a descent without overheating brakes.
Centers in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango are the most reliable for Type A testing. Call ahead — not all CECOVE locations have the heavy vehicles required for this exam.
Details
The eye exam for Type A is the same as other license types, but professional drivers should be aware of additional medical considerations:
- Visual acuity requirements are stricter for Type A because you are operating larger vehicles. Corrective lenses are acceptable but will be noted on your license as a restriction.
- Color vision is tested — you must be able to distinguish traffic light colors and hazard signs.
- If you have a medical condition (diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions), disclose it. An IGSS or private physician may need to certify that your condition is controlled and does not impair driving. Failing to disclose and being involved in an accident creates serious legal liability.
- Drug and alcohol screening is not routinely part of the licensing exam, but transport companies may require it independently.
Details
- Foreign license holders: the Reglamento de Transito (art. 24) requires residents to transfer a foreign license to a Guatemalan one of the same or a lower type, never higher, and the Departamento de Transito decides whether a theory or practical test is needed; the homologation procedure is at the Departamento de Transito. We do not state which Guatemalan type a US CDL maps to: the Departamento does not publish that.
- Lapsed license with gap: If your license was expired for any period, the 3-year continuous experience requirement may be affected. Visit Maycom to verify your history before paying for the CECOVE exam.
- Company-sponsored applications: Some transport companies pay for the CECOVE exam and process the Type A upgrade on behalf of their drivers. If your employer offers this, they handle the logistics, but you still need to appear in person at Maycom for biometrics.
- Criminal record: Certain serious traffic offenses (DUI, vehicular homicide) can disqualify you from obtaining a professional license. Check your record with the Organismo Judicial if you have prior convictions.
Related Maycom Tramites
- Type B License — for taxis and shuttles (lighter vehicles)
- Type C License (First Time) — the starting point for all drivers
- Type M Motorcycle License — separate license for motorcycles
- License Renewal — when your Type A expires
- License Replacement — if your license is lost or stolen
- Minor’s License (16-17) — for applicants under 18
- Vehicle Inspection — required for commercial vehicles
- Driver’s License Overview — all types compared