Temporary Foreign Driver Permit Guatemala 2026: Q50 a Month — For Residency Applicants

Correction (24 September 2026): the permit costs Q50 per month (Acuerdo Gubernativo 166-2018) and is for foreigners whose residency is in process (plus temporary residents, refugees and diplomats), filed at the Departamento de Tránsito, 3a avenida 6-44, zona 1, with a Guatemalan-born guarantor. Tourists do not need it: their own licence is valid while their immigration authorisation is (Reglamento de Tránsito art. 24). This page previously said foreign licences lapse after 30 days under a Central American convention, that tourists staying longer need this permit, gave a one-off Q50 fee, an office at 6a Avenida y 13 calle, zona 1, an online booking portal, a medical exam at MINGOB and fines of Q500-1,500, and cited articles of the Ley and Reglamento that do not regulate this permit. See our corrections policy.

The driving permit for foreigners (permiso de conducir para personas extranjeras) is issued by the Departamento de Tránsito of the National Civil Police (PNC), under the Ministry of Government (MINGOB). It lets a foreigner whose residency is being processed drive legally while the case is decided. It costs Q50 per month.

Quick summary: In-person procedure at the Departamento de Tránsito. Cost Q50 per month of permit. Time: 10 days per tramites.gob.gt. For foreigners processing residency, temporary residents, refugees and diplomats — not for tourists. Requires a Guatemalan-born guarantor whose bank statements show at least Q5,000 at each month-end.

What This Temporary Permit Is

Article 24 of the Reglamento de Tránsito sets three rules for foreigners. Holders of a foreign licence may drive the vehicles it covers only while their immigration authorisation is in force. With residency, they must transfer it to a Guatemalan licence of the same or a lower type. And a foreigner who is processing residency may ask the Departamento de Tránsito for a driving permit — this procedure.

This permit is different from a regular Guatemalan driver’s license and from the transfer (homologación) residents must do. See foreign license conversion for both routes side by side.

Who Needs This Permit

The government portal tramites.gob.gt lists it for:

• People with a residency application in process
• Holders of temporary residence
• Refugees and people applying for refugee status (Tránsito publishes a separate requirement list — see asylum/refugee driver permit)
• Accredited diplomatic personnel

Tourists do not need it: your own valid licence covers you while your immigration authorisation is in force (art. 24).

Requirements

Per the Departamento de Tránsito (checked 24 September 2026), in a legal-size folder with a fastener, in this order:

Your documents

• Application addressed to the head of the Departamento de Tránsito, with an address and phone number for notifications
• Legalized photocopies of your full, valid passport and of both sides of your valid foreign licence
• Two photocopies of the IGM resolution showing your immigration status (proof the file is in process, or a recent temporary or permanent residency)
• If you entered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: a legalized copy of your diplomatic ID card
• Sworn translation of the licence if it is not in Spanish; an embassy letter if the licence shows no expiry date
• A CECOVE theory-and-practical certificate only if you have no foreign licence or it has expired
• Eye exam from an optician or ophthalmologist authorised by the Departamento de Tránsito
• Two ID-size photos (one for renewals and replacements)

Your guarantor

• A sworn declaration by an individual who is Guatemalan by origin, stating under oath that they are not guarantor for another foreigner and take responsibility for your stay and for damage you cause while driving, with their exact address and phone
• A legalized copy of the guarantor’s DPI
• The guarantor’s last three bank statements, authorised by the bank, with a balance of at least Q5,000 at the end of each month

Any notarised document must show the notary’s active membership number, office address and phone.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Download the unified procedures form from the Departamento de Tránsito’s website (form DT-AJ-001, per its requirements page).
2. Gather the documents above, with the guarantor’s declaration and bank statements.
3. File at the Departamento de Tránsito — 3a avenida 6-44, zona 1, Guatemala City (tel. 2315-2600). The fee (Q50 per month) is charged when you present the papers.
4. Collect the permit in person — Tránsito says the procedure is personal and the permit is delivered only to the applicant. tramites.gob.gt gives a response time of 10 days.

Cost & Timeline

Common Mistakes

• Applying as a tourist — the permit is for residency applicants, temporary residents, refugees and diplomats; tourists drive on their own licence under art. 24
• Bringing an expired home-country license without a CECOVE certificate — an expired or missing licence means adding the CECOVE theory-and-practical certificate
• Forgetting the sworn translation if your license is not in Spanish
• A guarantor who is not Guatemalan by origin, or whose bank statements do not show Q5,000 at each month-end
• Showing up without the IGM resolution — Tránsito asks for two copies of it
• Staying on the permit after residency — once resident, art. 24 requires the transfer to a Guatemalan licence

Legal Basis

• Reglamento de Tránsito (Acuerdo Gubernativo 273-98), art. 24 — foreign licences and the driving permit for foreigners processing residency
• Acuerdo Gubernativo 166-2018 — Q50 per month fee, as cited by the Departamento de Tránsito
• tramites.gob.gt lists the legal basis as “Art. 24 del Reglamento de la Ley de Tránsito, Acuerdo 166-2018”

Differences vs. a Regular Guatemalan License

Once you are resident, the route is the transfer of your foreign licence under art. 24 — see foreign license conversion.

Related Procedures

• Foreign License Conversion — art. 24 transfer for residents
• Asylum / Refugee Driver Permit — humanitarian variant
• Guatemala Driver’s License — general guide for residents
• Driver’s License Activation
• Drivers License Late Fee Waiver (Living Abroad)

Official Links

• Departamento de Tránsito — Driving permit for foreigners
• Departamento de Tránsito — Requirements for procedures
• Official procedure — tramites.gob.gt
• Ministry of Government — MINGOB