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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Get your eye exam. Visit a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist who is an active member of the Colegio de Medicos.
- Verify traffic fines. Make sure you have no pending multas. Pay any outstanding fines before your Maycom appointment.
- Pay at Banrural. Pay the Q100 transfer fee plus the license duration you want.
- Visit a Maycom center with all documents: DPI, current Type C license, CECOVE certificate, notarized diploma, eye exam, and Banrural receipt.
- Receive your Type B license — usually issued the same day.
Tips & Common Mistakes
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Details
The Type B CECOVE exam is more rigorous than the Type C exam because you are being evaluated as a professional driver who will carry passengers for pay. Expect:
- Defensive driving assessment: The evaluator watches how you handle intersections, merging, and unexpected situations. Passenger safety is the priority.
- Urban driving skills: Since most Type B drivers operate in cities, the exam emphasizes city driving — parallel parking, navigating tight streets, dealing with traffic and pedestrians.
- Knowledge of traffic law: You may be asked verbal or written questions about transit regulations, passenger rights, and emergency procedures.
- Vehicle control under stress: Expect scenarios like sudden stops, swerving to avoid obstacles, and maintaining control in challenging conditions.
The exam typically takes 30-45 minutes and costs approximately Q700. If you fail, most centers allow a retake within 1-2 weeks for an additional fee.
Details
The eye exam for Type B is the standard visual evaluation required for all license types:
- Visual acuity test — must demonstrate adequate vision for safe driving (corrective lenses acceptable)
- Color vision test — must distinguish red, yellow, and green (traffic light colors)
- Peripheral vision test — especially important for professional drivers monitoring passengers and road simultaneously
- The examiner must be an active colegiado — member of the Colegio de Medicos y Cirujanos
If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. Your license will note the corrective lens restriction. Cost is approximately Q50 at opticas near Maycom centers.
Details
- Uber/InDriver drivers: Legally, ride-hailing apps require Type B. Enforcement varies, but in an accident, not having the correct license type can void your insurance and increase your legal liability significantly.
- Tourism shuttle operators: If you drive a shuttle for a registered tourism business, you need Type B at minimum. INGUAT (Guatemala’s tourism authority) may also require additional certifications for certain routes.
- Foreign driving experience: Your driving experience from another country does not count toward the 2-year Type C requirement. The clock starts from when you obtained your Guatemalan Type C license.
- Upgrading to Type A later: If you plan to drive heavy vehicles eventually, you can skip Type B and go directly to Type A once you have 3 years of experience and meet the age 25 requirement. Type B is not a mandatory intermediate step.
- Employer-required upgrade: Some shuttle and taxi companies reimburse or cover the costs of upgrading to Type B. Ask your employer before paying out of pocket.
Related Maycom Tramites
- Type C License (First Time) — the prerequisite for Type B
- Type A License (Professional) — the next step up for heavy vehicles
- Type M Motorcycle License — separate license for motorcycles
- License Renewal — when your Type B expires
- License Replacement — if your license is lost or stolen
- Minor’s License (16-17) — for applicants under 18
- Driver’s License Overview — all license types compared
- License Types Compared — A, B, C, M side by side