Guatemala Driving License 2026: Cost Q850, Types and Requirements

The driving license in Guatemala is processed at one of the 15 Maycom branches – Maycom is the private concessionaire that has issued every Guatemalan license since the late 1990s under contract with the PNC Transit Department. The first thing almost everyone misreads: there is no online or consular processing. Every renewal, replacement and first license requires you to show up in person at a Maycom branch with your DPI. The second thing: the CECOVE course is a separate transaction with a different provider – Maycom does not teach the course, it only verifies that your digital certificate is on file.

Quick summary: Renewal is one visit and roughly Q150 (Q100 for 1-year validity + Q50 eye exam). A first license runs Q850-Q1,140 because it adds the ~Q700 CECOVE course. Replacement (lost/stolen) is Q100 plus eye exam. The 30-day post-expiration grace period is strict – on day 31 the penalty kicks in, scaling from Q50 (under 1 year) to Q300 (more than 5 years lapsed).

2026 fees verified from maycom.com.gt/requisitos on 2026-04-29. Check today’s exchange rate for USD/GTQ conversion.

On this page

• License types A/B/C/M/E – comparison table
• 2026 fees – validity, transfer, penalties
• Renewal – one Maycom visit, no CECOVE
• Replacement (lost or stolen) – same day
• First license – CECOVE then eye exam then Maycom
• Foreign license conversion – what works and what does not
• Maycom branches – 15 offices + recommendations
• FAQ – real search queries

License types A/B/C/M/E

Guatemala uses five letters plus a special C-Menor case for ages 16-17. The categories are defined in Acuerdo Gubernativo 273-98, Title III, Chapter 1, Art. 23. Most adults get Type C (private vehicles) or Type M (motorcycle). Type B and Type A are restricted commercial-use upgrades.

Detailed comparison: Full guide to license types with decision criteria for each type.

Source: maycom.com.gt/tipos-de-licencias verified 2026-04-29.

2026 fees

Maycom uses a single validity scale that applies identically to first license and renewal. You only pay for the years you choose. All payments go to the Banrural counter inside the Maycom branch – never pay anyone outside.

Validity scale (the license itself)

Other fees (flat)

Lapse penalties (Acuerdo Gubernativo 59-2012)

These add on top of the validity fee – you pay them when renewing a license that has been expired more than 30 days.

Practical example: 5-year renewal on a license expired 18 months = Q390 validity + Q100 penalty + Q50 eye exam = Q540 total in a single Maycom visit.

Source: maycom.com.gt/preguntas – penalties FAQ.

Renewal

Renewal is one same-day visit at any Maycom branch. CECOVE is not redone for renewal – that requirement applies only to first license and transfers. The one document that cannot be substituted is the DPI: passport will not work, and a DPI-in-process receipt does not work for renewal (only for replacement).

What to bring:

• Valid original DPI + copy
• Your current license (valid or expired)
• Eye exam from a licensed optometry clinic or active board-certified ophthalmologist + original receipt
• Traffic-fines solvency (verified by the Transit Officer at the branch)
• Banrural payment for the validity you choose (Q100-Q390)
• Lapse penalty if expired more than 30 days

Detailed guide: Step-by-step renewal.

Practical tip: If you are inside the grace period and need to renew fast, the Zona 9 branch generally handles walk-ins in under 90 minutes mid-morning during the week. Bring exact cash for the eye-exam clinic across the street – most do not take cards.

Replacement (lost or stolen)

Replacement is the procedure for licenses that are lost, stolen or damaged/illegible. The key feature: the new card keeps your original expiration date, so a replacement does not extend your license – you still renew on the scheduled date.

What to bring:

• Original DPI + copy (or DPI-in-process receipt copy if your DPI is being processed)
• Eye exam + original receipt
• Fines solvency (verified by Transit Officer at the branch)
• Q100 replacement fee paid at the Banrural counter inside Maycom

Cost: Q100 + eye exam (~Q50) = ~Q150 total.

Detailed guide: Step-by-step replacement.

Practical tip: If your wallet was stolen with DPI and license inside, do not waste a visit – RENAP does not issue a new DPI same-day, and Maycom will not take the case until you at least have the DPI-in-process receipt.

First license

A first license follows a strict three-stop sequence: CECOVE school -> eye clinic -> Maycom branch. None can be skipped. Maycom does not teach the course – it verifies that your CECOVE digital certificate is loaded in the central system before issuing the license.

Sequence:

1. Enroll in a CECOVE-authorized driving school (Centro de Evaluacion y Competencia Vehicular). The course is ~2-3 weeks of theory + practice. Cost ~Q700.
2. Pass the internal exam and confirm your digital certificate was registered in the system.
3. Eye exam at any optometry clinic or board-certified ophthalmologist. ~Q50. Keep the original receipt.
4. Visit any Maycom branch with DPI + CECOVE certificate confirmation + eye exam + receipt + Banrural payment for the validity (Q100-Q390).
5. Receive your license the same day.

For minors 16-17: Add original RENAP birth certificate (max 6 months old), notarized parental/guardian letter of responsibility, and the parent/guardian DPI. Validity is capped at 1 year (Q100) and can only be renewed in 1-year increments.

Detailed guides by type: Type C first license | Type M motorcycle | Practical exam | Learner permit.

Practical tip: Some CECOVE schools include the eye-clinic appointment in the course package – confirm with your school before paying for the exam separately.

Foreign license conversion

Two routes depending on your status:

Tourists (less than 90 days): Your home-country license is legal to drive during your stay. An International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAA (USA) or equivalent is recommended – Transit officers may ask for it – but it is not strictly required.

Residents: Once you hold Guatemalan residency you must obtain a Guatemalan license to drive legally. There is no reciprocity agreement with the USA, Canada, EU or Mexico – you cannot swap your foreign license for a Guatemalan one. You must complete the full first-license process: CECOVE course (no exam-only option), eye exam and Maycom issuance. Many CECOVE schools offer an accelerated track for experienced foreign drivers (still 2-3 weeks but lighter on the basics).

Foreigners applying for their first Guatemalan license start at the PNC Transit Department (3a avenida 6-44, zona 1, Guatemala City, tel. 2315-2600), which reviews the case before referring you to a Maycom branch for issuance. Maycom does not process first-time foreigner licenses directly.

Practical tip: If you are converting from a US license, the CECOVE theory exam is in Spanish only. Some schools offer study material in English but the official exam is in Spanish – factor in extra study time if your technical vocabulary is rusty.

Maycom branches – 15 offices

Maycom operates 15 nationwide branches. All process the four services (First license, Renewal, Replacement, Transfer). Capital branches close at 18:00, departmental ones at 17:00. All closed Sundays.

Recommendations from user reports:

• Need it done today in the capital area: Zona 9 or Carretera a El Salvador, arrive before 9:00 AM Tue-Thu.
• You live north of the capital: Metronorte handles parking better than Zona 9.
• You live in Mixco / Calzada Roosevelt corridor: Roosevelt branch is faster than crossing to zona 9.
• You live in Antigua: Carretera El Salvador (faster) or Escuintla (less crowded).
• Need a Saturday service: All open 08:00-13:00 – arrive at 8:00 sharp, the line forms fast.
• Avoid: Any branch the day before a long weekend (Holy Week, December 24, December 31).

Source: maycom.com.gt/agencias verified 2026-04-29.

Need an appointment? Maycom offers an appointment system at citas.maycom.com.gt – useful for capital branches at peak hours.

Tips and warnings

• Passport does not work – only DPI is valid for any license procedure, even for Guatemalans with dual citizenship arriving from abroad.
• The 30-day grace period is strict. On day 31 the Q50 penalty starts and only goes up. Set a calendar alarm.
• CECOVE only for first license and transfers. Renewal never needs it.
• Replacement preserves the expiration date. It is not a renewal – you still renew on the scheduled date.
• Power of attorney is not accepted. Each procedure requires the holder to be there in person.
• Eye-exam receipt must be original – copies have been rejected.
• Pay fines first. The Transit Officer reviews your fines status before Maycom touches your file. Resolve any outstanding fines at a Transit precinct before going.
• Once you have your license, read our guides on driving in Guatemala and how to register a vehicle.

Related Trámites

• DPI (Personal ID Document) – required before any license procedure
• Vehicle registration – register your car after getting your license
• Import vehicle from USA – common for diaspora
• License types in detail – A, B, C, M, E comparison
• NIT (tax ID) – required for vehicle taxes
• Judicial Branch vehicle inspection – annual requirement

Official Links

• Maycom – Requirements
• Maycom – License types
• Maycom – Branches
• Maycom – FAQ
• Transit Department (PNC)
• Transit – First license
• Transit – Renewal