The Type B driver’s license in Guatemala is what you need if you want to drive for hire — taxis, tourist shuttles, rideshare services, or any situation where you receive payment for transporting passengers in vehicles up to 3.5 metric tons. This is the step up from the standard Type C license that most drivers hold, and Guatemala’s transit law draws a clear line: if money changes hands for your driving, you need at least a Type B.

Getting the upgrade is not complicated, but it has stricter requirements than the basic license. You need at least two years of driving experience with a Type C, you must be 23 or older, and — perhaps the requirement that surprises most people — you need a notarized copy of your high school diploma. The CECOVE driving exam for Type B is more rigorous than the Type C test, focusing on professional driving skills and defensive techniques appropriate for someone responsible for passengers.

The Type B is particularly relevant for anyone working in Guatemala’s growing tourism industry. Shuttle drivers around Antigua, Atitlan, and the airport corridor all need this license. It is also required for taxi drivers, though enforcement varies by municipality.

Quick summary: Type B license costs approximately Q950 total (transfer + license + exam + eye test). Requires age 23+, 2+ years with Type C, CECOVE exam, and a notarized high school diploma. Process takes 1-2 days at a Maycom center.

Prices verified March 2026. Check our exchange rate page for today’s USD/GTQ rate.

Requirements

Requirement Details
Minimum age 23 years
Prior license Type C for at least 2 years
Driving exam CECOVE-authorized center
Education Notarized copy of high school diploma
Eye exam From licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist
Traffic fines Must be current (solvente)
Payment Q100 transfer fee + license duration

Costs

Item Cost
Transfer fee (Type C to B) Q100
License — 1 year Q100
License — 2 years Q185
License — 3 years Q260
License — 4 years Q320
CECOVE driving exam ~Q700
Eye exam ~Q50
Notarized diploma copy ~Q25-Q50
Total (approximate) ~Q950 - Q1,200

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Verify you meet the requirements. Check that your Type C license has been active for at least 2 continuous years and that you are 23 or older.
  2. Pass the CECOVE driving exam. Register at an authorized CECOVE center and complete the Type B driving evaluation. The test is more comprehensive than the Type C exam.
  3. Get a notarized copy of your high school diploma. Take your original titulo de educacion media to an active notary public (notario) who will create a copia legalizada.
  4. Get your eye exam. Visit a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist who is an active member of the Colegio de Medicos.
  5. Verify traffic fines. Make sure you have no pending multas. Pay any outstanding fines before your Maycom appointment.
  6. Pay at Banrural. Pay the Q100 transfer fee plus the license duration you want.
  7. Visit a Maycom center with all documents: DPI, current Type C license, CECOVE certificate, notarized diploma, eye exam, and Banrural receipt.
  8. Receive your Type B license — usually issued the same day.

Tips & Common Mistakes

  1. Get the diploma notarized before your Maycom visit. This is the most commonly forgotten document. A regular photocopy is not accepted — it must be a copia legalizada by an active notary public.

  2. Your Type C must be uninterrupted for 2 years. If your license lapsed (expired and you renewed it late), the clock may reset. Verify with Maycom if you are unsure about your continuous license history.

  3. The CECOVE exam for Type B is harder. Do not assume you can walk in and pass just because you passed the Type C exam. The Type B evaluation tests professional driving skills including defensive driving and passenger safety.

  4. Consider getting the 4-year license. At Q320, it is the best value. Since upgrading to Type B already costs Q100 in transfer fees plus the exam, maximizing your license duration saves you from returning to Maycom sooner.

  5. If you drive for Uber or similar apps, you legally need Type B. While enforcement varies, if you are involved in an accident while driving for hire with only a Type C license, your insurance claim could be denied.