The Type C is Guatemala’s standard driver’s license — the one that lets you drive cars, pickups, vans, and minibuses up to 3.5 metric tons for personal use (not for hire). It is the first license almost everyone gets, and it is the foundation for upgrading to Type B or Type A later if you want to drive professionally. Whether you are a Guatemalan turning 18 or an expat settling in the country, this is the process you need to follow.

Getting your first license involves two separate stages: completing a driving course at a CECOVE-authorized school, and then processing the license itself at a Maycom center. The driving school is where you learn and get evaluated — they issue a digital certificate that proves you passed. Maycom is where your biometric data is captured, your documents are verified, and the physical license card is printed. You cannot skip the driving school, even if you have been driving for years in another country.

The total cost runs about Q850 (roughly $110 USD), which covers the driving school course, the eye exam, and the license fee. The entire process from starting the course to holding your license in hand takes about 2-4 weeks, depending on driving school schedules and Maycom appointment availability.

Quick summary: First-time Type C license costs approximately Q850 total (~$110 USD). You must be 18 or older, complete a CECOVE driving course (2-3 weeks), pass an eye exam, and visit a Maycom center with your DPI.

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

What the Type C License Allows

  • Drive cars, SUVs, pickups, vans up to 3.5 metric tons
  • Drive minibuses up to 3.5 metric tons
  • Drive for personal use only — no paid passenger transport
  • Valid throughout Guatemala (and recognized in Central America with an IDP)

The Type C does not allow:

  • Driving for hire (taxis, shuttles, Uber) — that requires Type B
  • Driving heavy vehicles over 3.5 tons — that requires Type A
  • Riding motorcycles — that requires Type M

Costs Breakdown

Item Cost
CECOVE driving course & exam ~Q700
Eye exam (optica or ophthalmologist) ~Q50
License — 1 year Q100
License — 2 years Q185
License — 3 years Q260
License — 4 years Q320
Total (1-year license) ~Q850
Total (4-year license) ~Q1,070

Note: First-time licenses can be issued for up to 4 years. The 5-year option (Q390) is only available for renewals.

Documents Required

  • DPI (Documento Personal de Identificacion) — original and copy of both sides. How to get a DPI
  • CECOVE Digital Certificate — issued by the driving school after passing the exam
  • Eye exam certificate — from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist who is an active colegiado
  • Banrural payment receipt — for the license fee of your chosen duration
  • No pending traffic fines — you must be solvente (even first-time applicants — this covers pedestrian or passenger violations)

Step-by-Step Process

Stage 1: Driving School (2-3 weeks)

  1. Choose a CECOVE-authorized driving school. Look for schools that display the CECOVE authorization. They are found in every major city. Ask friends and family for recommendations — quality varies significantly between schools.
  2. Enroll and complete the course. Courses typically include classroom instruction (traffic laws, road signs, basic mechanics) and practical behind-the-wheel training.
  3. Take the practical driving exam. The CECOVE exam tests basic vehicle control, parking, turning, highway merging, and knowledge of traffic rules.
  4. Receive your digital certificate. If you pass, the school issues a CECOVE digital certificate linked to your DPI number. This is what Maycom needs to verify you passed.

Stage 2: Eye Exam (30 minutes)

  1. Visit a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. They test visual acuity, color vision, and peripheral vision. The professional must be an active member of the Colegio de Medicos y Cirujanos. Many opticas near Maycom centers offer this service for Q50.

Stage 3: Maycom (1 day)

  1. Pay at Banrural. Go to any Banrural branch and pay the license fee for your chosen duration. Keep the receipt.
  2. Visit a Maycom center. Bring your DPI (original and copy), CECOVE digital certificate, eye exam, and Banrural receipt.
  3. Biometric capture. Maycom takes your photo and fingerprints for the license card.
  4. Receive your license. In most cases, the physical card is ready the same day or the next business day.

Choosing a Driving School

Not all CECOVE schools are created equal. Here is what to look for:

  • CECOVE authorization displayed visibly — ask to see it if not posted
  • Practice vehicles in good condition with dual controls (brake on instructor side)
  • Reasonable class sizes — smaller is better for behind-the-wheel time
  • Flexible schedules — many schools offer evening and weekend classes
  • Transparent pricing — the total should be around Q700 including the exam
  • Pass rate — ask how many students typically pass on the first try

Avoid schools that guarantee a passing certificate without proper evaluation — this is illegal and the certificate may not be recognized by Maycom.

Tips & Common Mistakes

  1. Do not try to skip the driving school. Even if you have been driving for 20 years in the US or elsewhere, Guatemala requires the CECOVE certificate. There is no exemption or reciprocity agreement for foreign license holders.

  2. Get the eye exam from a qualified professional. The exam must come from an ophthalmologist or optometrist who is an active colegiado activo. Maycom will reject eye exams from non-qualified providers.

  3. Check Maycom hours before going. Hours vary by center. Most operate Monday-Friday 8:00-17:00 and Saturday 8:00-12:00, but verify with your specific location. Some centers accept walk-ins while others require appointments.

  4. Bring exact documents. Maycom will turn you away if your DPI is expired, if the CECOVE certificate has errors, or if you forgot your Banrural receipt. Double-check everything before making the trip.

  5. If you wear glasses, wear them to the eye exam and Maycom. If the eye exam determines you need corrective lenses to drive, your license will be stamped with a restriction requiring you to wear them while driving.