The Cargo Transport Registration is the mandatory enrollment at MICIVI’s General Directorate of Transport (DGTT) for any operator (individual or legal entity) that uses motor vehicles to transport merchandise, materials or containers by road in Guatemala. Without this registration, operation is informal and exposed to fines, vehicle impoundment and traffic restrictions.

Quick summary: In-person procedure. MICIVI form + DPI/business patent + vehicle registration cards + SAT tax solvency. Pay the fee and stamps, pass the physical inspection and receive the DGTT resolution with an operation card valid for 5 years.

What is this procedure?

It is the authorization and enrollment process that allows a cargo transport company to legally operate on the national road network. It applies to:

  • Own-cargo transport: the company transports its own merchandise or raw material.
  • Third-party cargo transport: the company provides service to clients (freight charges, logistics contracts).
  • Specialized transport: hazardous, oversized, refrigerated or valuables. (These require additional permits.)

Registration links the operator with their vehicles, routes and tax responsibility.

Requirements

DGTT may request additional requirements by category. This is the base list:

  • Registration request signed by the holder or legal representative.
  • MICIVI form with company data and information per unit.
  • DPI of the holder (individual) or commercial patent + DPI of the legal representative (legal entity).
  • Society patent in force (if a legal entity).
  • Business NIT and SAT registration certificate.
  • Current SAT tax solvency.
  • Vehicle registration cards for each unit (in the holder’s name or under leasing/rental contract).
  • Physical inspection certificate or technical report for each unit.
  • Current insurance certificate (civil liability; cargo if applicable).
  • Payment receipts for fiscal stamps and DGTT fee.
  • List of drivers with valid driver’s license (corresponding category).
  • Tax address and operating office declared as the operations base.

If your vehicle will transport hazardous cargo, food or oversized material, also prepare additional special permits from MARN, MAGA or the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

Steps

1. Legally constitute the company

If you will operate as a legal entity, first obtain the commercial patent and society patent at the Mercantile Registry. If you operate as an individual, make sure your NIT is active at SAT.

2. Gather the documentation

Patent, NIT, SAT solvency, vehicle registration cards and the MICIVI form filled out. Verify that each vehicle has a declared cargo capacity (gross vehicle weight and net weight).

3. Visit DGTT (MICIVI)

Submit the file at the counter. DGTT calculates the administrative fee and issues the payment order.

4. Pay the fee and stamps

Pay at an authorized bank or at the counter. Keep all receipts.

5. Physical inspection of the units

DGTT schedules the physical inspection of each vehicle. The unit must arrive identified, with safety equipment and complete documentation.

6. Resolution and operation card

If everything complies, DGTT issues the registration resolution and delivers the operation card that the driver must carry in each unit. The company is enrolled in the official DGTT registry.

Cost and Time

ItemDetail
MICIVI formVariable
DGTT administrative feeVariable (quote at counter)
Fiscal stampsQ5-Q50 per document
Technical inspectionIncluded or charged separately
Notary feesOnly if there is a deed, leasing or assignment
Total time30 to 60 business days
Typical validity5 years (renewable)

Cost scales with fleet size. Companies with many units must budget the registration as initial operating investment.

How to Apply (Summary)

  1. Constitute the company (individual or legal entity).
  2. Obtain active NIT and SAT tax solvency.
  3. Gather patent, vehicle registration cards and MICIVI form.
  4. Visit DGTT in zone 1, MICIVI.
  5. Pay the fee and stamps.
  6. Pass the physical inspection of each unit.
  7. Receive resolution and operation card (30-60 days).