In Guatemala, the standard minimum age for a driver’s license is 18, but the law allows minors aged 16 and 17 to obtain a Type C license with additional requirements. The key difference from the adult process is parental involvement: a parent or legal guardian must provide a notarized responsibility letter drafted by an attorney, present a recent birth certificate, and physically accompany the minor to the Maycom center.

This option exists because many Guatemalan families, especially in rural areas, rely on teenage drivers for agricultural work, family errands, and transportation when parents are working. In urban areas, teens approaching driving age want independence, and the legal pathway ensures they are properly trained and evaluated rather than driving without a license. The CECOVE driving course and exam are the same as for adults — there is no reduced requirement for minors.

The process requires more paperwork and coordination than the standard adult license, but it is entirely doable. Plan for about 2-3 weeks for the driving course plus a day for the Maycom visit. The most time-consuming part is usually getting the carta de responsabilidad prepared by an attorney, so start that early.

Quick summary: Minors 16-17 can get a Type C license for Q100 (1 year) plus approximately Q750 in exam, eye test, and legal document fees. Requires a CECOVE course, birth certificate from RENAP (less than 6 months old), a notarized responsibility letter from a parent/guardian drafted by an attorney, and the parent must accompany the minor to Maycom.

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

Additional Requirements (Beyond Adult Process)

RequirementDetails
Minor’s DPIOriginal and copy (16-year-olds can get a DPI from RENAP)
Birth certificateOriginal from RENAP, issued within last 6 months
Carta de responsabilidadDrafted by a licensed attorney
Parent/guardian DPIOriginal and copy
Parent presenceMust accompany minor to Maycom

Costs

ItemCost
CECOVE driving course & exam~Q700
Eye exam~Q50
License — 1 yearQ100
Birth certificate (RENAP)Q20-Q40
Carta de responsabilidad (attorney)~Q200-Q500
Total (approximate)~Q1,070 - Q1,390

The attorney fee for the carta de responsabilidad varies. Some attorneys charge Q200, others charge Q500 or more. Ask for quotes from multiple attorneys.

Documents Required

For the Minor

  • DPI of the minor — original and copy
  • Certificado de Nacimiento (birth certificate) — original, issued by RENAP within the last 6 months
  • CECOVE Digital Certificate — from the driving school
  • Eye exam certificate — from licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist
  • Banrural payment receipt — for the license fee

For the Parent/Guardian

  • DPI of the parent, mother, or legal guardian — original and copy
  • Carta de Responsabilidad — legal document drafted by a licensed attorney

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Get the minor’s DPI from RENAP if they do not have one yet. In Guatemala, the DPI can be obtained from age 0, but many families wait until it is needed.
  2. Obtain a recent birth certificate from RENAP. It must be less than 6 months old. You can request this at any RENAP office.
  3. Have an attorney prepare the carta de responsabilidad. This is not a simple handwritten letter. A licensed abogado drafts a formal document in which the parent/guardian accepts legal responsibility for the minor’s driving. The attorney authenticates it.
  4. Enroll the minor in a CECOVE driving course. The course and exam are the same as for adults. Minimum 2-3 weeks.
  5. Minor passes the CECOVE driving exam and receives the digital certificate.
  6. Get the eye exam from a licensed professional.
  7. Pay the license fee at Banrural — Q100 for 1 year.
  8. Parent and minor visit Maycom together. Both must be present. Bring all documents listed above.
  9. Maycom processes the license — biometric capture and license issuance, usually same day.

Tips & Common Mistakes

  1. The birth certificate must be recent. RENAP certificates older than 6 months are rejected. If you got a birth certificate a year ago for another purpose, you need a new one. Budget a few days for RENAP processing.

  2. The carta de responsabilidad must be from a real attorney. This is not something you can write at home and get notarized. It must be prepared by a licensed abogado (attorney at law), not just a notario. The document follows a specific legal format.

  3. The parent must physically go to Maycom. You cannot send the minor alone with the documents, even if you provide a signed letter. Maycom requires the parent or guardian to be present in person for verification.

  4. Start the process well before the minor needs to drive. Between getting the birth certificate, finding an attorney, completing the driving course, and visiting Maycom, the entire process can take a month. Do not leave it to the last minute.

  5. If the parent is abroad, a legal guardian can substitute. If the parent is in the US or elsewhere, a legal guardian (tutor legal) with proper documentation can accompany the minor. This requires additional legal documentation establishing guardianship.

Details

The carta de responsabilidad is the most unique requirement for minors and often the most confusing part of the process:

  • It must be prepared by a licensed abogado y notario — not just any notary. In Guatemala, the roles of attorney and notary are combined in the same professional, but the document requires legal drafting, not just notarization.
  • Cost varies widely: Q200 to Q500 depending on the attorney and location. Attorneys near Maycom centers may charge more due to convenience; consider using a family attorney or one recommended by friends.
  • The document follows a specific legal format stating that the parent/guardian assumes full civil and criminal liability for the minor’s actions while driving.
  • Both parents do not need to sign — one parent or the legal guardian is sufficient.
  • Get this done first. The carta takes the most coordination and is the document most likely to cause delays. Start here before enrolling in the CECOVE course.
Details

The eye exam for minors is identical to the adult exam:

  • Visual acuity, color vision, and peripheral vision are all tested.
  • The examiner must be an active colegiado of the Colegio de Medicos y Cirujanos.
  • Cost: Approximately Q50 at opticas near Maycom centers.
  • If the minor wears glasses: Bring them to the exam. The license will note a corrective lens restriction.
  • No additional medical requirements beyond the standard eye exam — there is no separate physical or psychological evaluation for minors.
Details
  • Parent living in the US or abroad: If both parents are abroad, a legal guardian (tutor legal) with court documentation can substitute. The guardianship must be formally established through a Guatemalan court — an informal arrangement or power of attorney is not sufficient for this purpose.
  • Divorced parents: Either parent can sign the carta de responsabilidad and accompany the minor. Custody arrangements do not affect which parent can authorize the license, unless a court order specifically restricts one parent’s authority.
  • Orphaned minors: A court-appointed tutor legal handles all parental responsibilities including the carta de responsabilidad.
  • DPI for the minor: Minors aged 16+ can and should obtain their DPI from RENAP before starting the license process. The DPI is required for both the CECOVE course enrollment and the Maycom visit.
  • Renewal after turning 18: When the 1-year license expires and the driver is now 18, they can renew as a standard adult without the additional minor documentation. No need to redo the CECOVE exam.