PNC National Traffic Fines: Issued by the PNC for violations of the Traffic Law (Decreto 132-96): speeding, running red lights, driving without license. Look up at transito.gob.gt.
Municipal traffic fines in Guatemala are those issued by the Municipal Traffic Police (PMT) — a corps created by each municipality under the Codigo Municipal Decreto 12-2002. The issuing authority differs from the PNC, but municipalities can also apply the Ley de Tránsito where traffic authority is delegated (art. 31). Lookup and payment depend on the issuing authority.
Quick summary: If the PMT (municipal uniform, not PNC) issued the ticket, it’s a municipal fine. Look it up and pay at muniguate.com Mi Portal (Guatemala City). If the PNC Traffic (national uniform) issued it, it’s a national fine and is looked up at transito.gob.gt. This page covers only municipal fines.
What the PMT Sanctions (Municipal Fines)
The Municipal Traffic Police (PMT) — a corps created by each municipality under Codigo Municipal powers — sanctions traffic infractions where authority has been delegated and violations of applicable local ordinances. Typical infractions:
Parking Infractions
- Parking in prohibited zones (sidewalk, corners, in front of hydrant)
- Parking without paying meter in regulated zones
- Double parking
- Parking blocking a garage entry
- Exceeding allowed time in loading/unloading zones
Local Circulation Infractions
- Entering pedestrian or restricted zones without permit (e.g., Sunday paseos)
- Driving the wrong way on Historic Center streets
- Stopping on pedestrian crossings
- Blocking intersections (yellow box)
Noise and Environment
- Excessive exhaust noise (illegal modifications)
- Loud sound equipment in residential zones
- Excessive visible smoke emission
Public Service Infractions
- Mototaxis without municipal permit
- Urban buses at unauthorized stops
- Taxis without municipal ID card
Important: where the Ministerio de Gobernación has transferred traffic administration to a municipality, the municipality imposes the Ley de Tránsito’s sanctions through its Juzgado de Asuntos Municipales (Ley de Tránsito Art. 31), and the Reglamento’s 25% early-payment discount applies to a fine imposed by a national or municipal traffic officer (Art. 189). So in a municipality that holds traffic authority, the Reglamento’s infractions are not reserved to the PNC; ordinance fines such as parking rules are an additional layer. Corrected 25 September 2026: this paragraph previously said the PMT does not sanction national Traffic Law infractions.
How to Check Municipal Fines (PMT)
Option 1: muniguate.com Mi Portal (Guatemala City) (Recommended)
- Go to muniguate.com
- Click Mi Portal
- Sign in with DPI
- Select Mis Vehiculos (My Vehicles) or Mis Multas (My Fines)
- Enter plate number
- The system displays all PMT-registered infractions, amounts, and status (pending / paid)
Option 2: Juzgado de Asuntos Municipales (In Person)
Visit the Juzgado de Asuntos Municipales (Municipal Affairs Court) of the corresponding municipality with:
- DPI
- Vehicle registration card
- Infraction ticket (if you have it)
The court verifies in the system and gives you a statement of fines.
Option 3: Phone and Social Media
Channels a municipality may offer for inquiries:
- Municipal PBX (number on muniguate.com or official page)
- Twitter / Facebook of the municipality or the PMT
- Institutional WhatsApp (where applicable)
How to Pay a Municipal Fine
Online Payment (muniguate.com)
- Identify the fine in Mi Portal
- Select the infraction to pay
- Confirm the amount (plus surcharges if applicable)
- Pay with credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard) or bank transfer
- Download PDF receipt — save it as proof
Payment at Authorized Banks
Banks the municipality may list for fine payments (confirm on the boleta):
- Banrural
- Banco Industrial
- Banco Agromercantil (BAM)
- CHN
- Banco Inmobiliario (now Banco Cuscatlán)
- Banco Promerica
- Bantrab
Bring the infraction ticket or the reference number shown in Mi Portal.
In-Person Payment at Juzgado
Pay directly at the cashier in cash, check, or card. You receive an official receipt.
How to Dispute a Municipal Fine
If you believe the fine was unfair or incorrect, you have the right to appeal.
Deadline
Ley de Tránsito art. 31 sets up to 15 days from notification for recourse. Reglamento art. 186 describes a written objection with evidence within five days of the infraction. Ask the court which remedy applies to your ticket; do not use a general ten-day deadline.
Where
Juzgado de Asuntos Municipales of the corresponding municipality.
Documents
- Written appeal addressed to the judge, stating:
- Infraction ticket number
- Date and place of the alleged infraction
- Reason for appeal
- Evidence submitted
- Photocopy of the ticket (front and back)
- Photocopy of DPI
- Evidence — photos of the location, video, witnesses, paid-meter receipt, etc.
Arguments That May Prosper
- Lack of jurisdiction — PMT acted outside the municipality
- Plate error — ticket has a plate that’s not yours
- Missing or illegible signage — no clear signage of the prohibition
- Photo of active meter — you had a valid paid meter
- Force majeure or emergency — documented medical emergency, broken-down vehicle
- Defective notification — legal notification procedure wasn’t followed
Resolution
Reglamento de Tránsito art. 186 sets a decision period of no more than thirty days for the objection. If the fine is revoked, it’s voided. If upheld, you must pay (with surcharge if applicable).
Surcharges and Non-Payment Consequences
| Time Past Due | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Five business days after imposition | 25% discount on national or municipal traffic fines (Reglamento art. 189) |
| From the sixth business day | Full amount plus 20% annual late interest (art. 189) |
| Thirty days unpaid | Authority requests transfer to the depósito, unless under administrative challenge (art. 190) |
| Deadlines under a separate local ordinance | Check the rule cited on the ticket; these articles govern traffic fines |
For a SAT vehicle transfer, its published checklist requires vehicle-tax clearance; it does not list municipal-fine clearance (checked 2 November 2026).
Municipal clearance block: without clearance you cannot:
- Renew vehicle registration (where applicable)
- Receive residence or vecino certificates
- Process municipal licenses (construction, alcohol, events)
Key Differences with PNC Fines
| Feature | Municipal Fine (PMT) | PNC Traffic Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Municipal Traffic Police | PNC Traffic Department |
| Legal basis | Ley de Tránsito where authority is delegated; local ordinances as applicable | Traffic Law Decreto 132-96 |
| Type of infraction | Traffic and applicable ordinance infractions; not only parking | Traffic infractions |
| Where to check | muniguate.com Mi Portal (Guatemala City) | transito.gob.gt |
| Where to pay | Mi Portal, banks, Juzgado | transito.gob.gt, banks, PNC Traffic offices |
| Affects license | Can affect it (Ley arts. 31 and 40) | Can affect it (Ley arts. 31 and 40) |
| Jurisdiction | Delegated territory; joint administration possible under Ley art. 9 | National territory |
| Dispute venue | Juzgado de Asuntos Municipales | Juzgado de Transito |
Typical Cases
Case 1: You’re ticketed for double parking in Zone 10
It’s a municipal fine. Look up and pay at muniguate.com Mi Portal (Guatemala City). If you have a nearby restaurant receipt and were only there 2 minutes, the appeal argument is weak — but you can try if the ticket has errors.
Case 2: PNC stops you for running a red light
It’s a PNC national fine. Do NOT pay at muniguate.com (won’t work). Go to transito.gob.gt.
Case 3: PMT fines you for loud car sound at 11 pm
It’s a municipal fine. If your equipment was at reasonable volume and you think it was arbitrary, ask the municipal traffic court which remedy and deadline apply, with audio recording / witnesses.
Case 4: You want to sell your car but have pending municipal fines
SAT’s checklist for transfer with an endorsed ownership certificate requires vehicle-tax clearance, but does not list clearance of municipal or PNC fines (checked 2 November 2026). Check any restriction recorded against the vehicle with SAT.
Related Internal Links
- Municipal Procedures Hub
- PNC Traffic Fines Lookup (National)
- Vehicle Transfer
- Boleto de Ornato
- Cadastre / Municipal Clearance
- Boleto Ornato vs IUSI Difference