Motorcycles are everywhere in Guatemala. They are the primary mode of transportation for millions of people, from delivery drivers in Guatemala City to farmers in rural departments. If you ride a motorcycle on Guatemalan roads, you need a Type M license — and no, your Type C car license does not cover you. The Type M is a separate license with its own CECOVE exam specifically for motorcycle operation.

The process is similar to getting a Type C license: you take a riding exam at a CECOVE-authorized center, get an eye exam, pay at Banrural, and visit a Maycom center. But the CECOVE motorcycle exam tests different skills — low-speed maneuvering, emergency braking, obstacle avoidance, and highway riding. If you already know how to ride, the exam is straightforward. If you are learning, take a motorcycle course first.

Guatemala has seen increasing enforcement of motorcycle licensing, especially in Guatemala City and major highways. Police checkpoints regularly ask for license and circulation card. Riding without a Type M license can result in fines and temporary impoundment of your motorcycle. Beyond the legal requirement, having the proper license protects you if you are involved in an accident — insurance companies can deny claims if the rider was unlicensed.

Quick summary: Type M motorcycle license costs approximately Q850-Q1,070 total (license + exam + eye test). Requires age 18+, a CECOVE motorcycle exam, and an eye exam. Process takes 1-2 days at a Maycom center. This is a separate license from the car (Type C) license.

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

Costs

Item Cost
License — 1 year Q100
License — 2 years Q185
License — 3 years Q260
License — 4 years Q320
CECOVE motorcycle exam ~Q700
Eye exam ~Q50
Total (approximate) ~Q850 - Q1,070

Documents Required

  • DPI — original and copy (front and back)
  • CECOVE Digital Certificate — from an authorized motorcycle driving evaluation center
  • Eye exam — from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist (active member of the Colegio)
  • Banrural payment receipt — for the license fee
  • No pending traffic fines — must be solvente

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Get your eye exam. Visit a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. The exam checks visual acuity and peripheral vision. Cost: approximately Q50.
  2. Take the CECOVE motorcycle exam. Register at a CECOVE-authorized center that offers motorcycle evaluations. You will need to ride their motorcycle or, at some centers, bring your own. The exam tests basic motorcycle skills.
  3. Verify traffic fine status. Make sure you have no pending multas from any vehicle type — not just motorcycles.
  4. Pay at Banrural. Choose your license duration (1 to 4 years) and pay the corresponding fee.
  5. Visit a Maycom center with all documents: DPI, CECOVE certificate, eye exam, and Banrural receipt.
  6. Receive your Type M license — biometric data is captured and the license is issued, usually the same day.

The CECOVE Motorcycle Exam

The motorcycle riding evaluation at CECOVE tests:

  • Low-speed control — riding slowly in a straight line and through cones without putting your feet down
  • Turning and maneuvering — figure-eight patterns and tight turns
  • Emergency braking — stopping quickly and safely from moderate speed
  • Basic road skills — signaling, lane positioning, awareness

Tip: If you have never ridden a motorcycle before, do not go directly to the CECOVE exam. Take an informal riding course or practice extensively in a safe area first. CECOVE evaluates — they do not teach.

Tips & Common Mistakes

  1. Do not ride to the CECOVE exam without knowing how to ride. CECOVE is an evaluation center, not a driving school. If you show up without basic riding skills, you will fail and lose your exam fee. Practice first.

  2. Bring your own helmet to the CECOVE exam. While some centers provide helmets, it is not guaranteed. Guatemala law requires all motorcycle riders to wear helmets — this applies during the exam too.

  3. Get the Type M even if you already have Type C. Many car drivers assume their license covers motorcycles. It does not. Police checkpoints specifically check for the correct license type, and insurance claims are denied if you are riding without Type M.

  4. Consider the multi-year license. At Q320 for 4 years vs Q100 for 1 year, the longer duration is better value and saves you from repeating the Maycom visit annually.

  5. Keep your license on you while riding. Guatemala requires drivers and riders to carry their license and tarjeta de circulacion at all times. A digital copy on your phone is legally accepted for the tarjeta de circulacion under the updated transit law, but carry the physical license too.

Motorcycle Safety in Guatemala

While this page covers the licensing process, a few important safety notes for riding in Guatemala:

  • Helmets are mandatory for rider and passenger. Fines apply for not wearing one.
  • Passengers are limited to one per motorcycle (two people total including the rider).
  • Guatemala City bans two men on a motorcycle in certain zones due to security concerns. This rule is strictly enforced.
  • Night riding is particularly dangerous on rural highways due to unlit vehicles and road conditions.

For more on driving and road conditions, see our driving in Guatemala guide.