Written by the Guatemala Life team, based in Guatemala City.
The learner driving permit in Guatemala is a temporary permit that lets you practice driving before getting the regular license. It is especially useful for minors (16-17) who want to learn early, or for adults who want wheel time before the CECOVE exam. It only allows driving accompanied by a current-license driver of Type C or higher.
Quick summary: Minimum age 16 (with notarized parental authorization). Cost ~Q150. Valid 1 year. Issued at Maycom the same day. Does not replace the regular license – only allows supervised practice. At 18 you switch to the regular Type C license.
Fees and procedures verified in April 2026.
Something most Guatemalan parents do not know when getting the learner permit for a 16-year-old: the permit itself is the easy part – the notarized authorization affidavit is the bottleneck. Some notaries charge Q100, others Q300 for the same document. More importantly: the affidavit must contain specific wording mentioning “licencia de aprendizaje” and “asume responsabilidad civil,” or Maycom will reject it at the counter. We have seen families turned away 2-3 times because the notary used a generic template.
What It Allows and What It Does Not
What You Can Do
- Drive on public streets with a supervisor in the passenger seat
- Practice parking in real-world spaces
- Gain experience before the formal exam
- Get familiar with Guatemalan traffic
What You Cannot Do
- Drive alone – you always need a supervisor with a current Type C, B or A license
- Drive on high-speed highways (some municipalities restrict this)
- Operate commercial vehicles – private vehicles only
- Use the permit as ID for other procedures – it is not an official identification
Requirements
For Adults (18+)
- Valid DPI
- Recent eye exam (under 6 months old)
- Payment of approximately Q100 for issuance
For Minors 16-17 (Most Common Case)
- Minor’s DPI or birth certificate if the DPI is not yet issued
- DPI of both parents or legal guardian
- Notarized authorization affidavit from both parents (or the legal guardian)
- Recent eye exam
- Payment of approximately Q100
- Both parents present (or one with power of attorney from the other)
The notarized affidavit must specifically state: “Authorization for the minor (name) to obtain a learner driving permit in Guatemala, with parents/guardian assuming the civil liability arising from said driving.”
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Get the Eye Exam
- Visit any authorized optical clinic or Maycom center
- Basic visual acuity test (5-10 minutes)
- Cost: Q40-Q60
- Certificate is valid 6 months
Step 2: If a Minor, Get the Notarized Affidavit
- Visit a notary with both parents or legal guardian
- Both must sign the affidavit with their DPIs present
- Affidavit must specifically mention “licencia de aprendizaje”
- Cost: Q100-Q300 depending on notary
- Ask for several certified copies
Step 3: Visit a Maycom Center
- Arrive with all original documents and copies
- Request “licencia de aprendizaje” at the counter
- Pay the fee (~Q100)
- Biometric capture: photo and fingerprints of the applicant
- Physical permit issued on the spot or within 24 hours
Step 4: Receive and Use
- Check the data on the permit (name, expiration date, restrictions)
- Sign and store in your wallet
- Always carry it when driving
- Remember: never without a supervisor
Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Learner permit issuance | ~Q100 |
| Eye exam | ~Q50 |
| Notarized affidavit (minors only) | Q100 - Q300 |
| Total for a minor | ~Q300 - Q500 |
| Total for an adult (18+) | ~Q150 |
Differences vs Regular License
| Feature | Learner Permit | Regular Type C License |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 16 | 18 |
| CECOVE course | Not required | Mandatory |
| Practical exam | No | Yes |
| Drive alone | No | Yes |
| Validity | 1 year | 1-5 years |
| Cost | ~Q150 | ~Q850 (with course) |
| Renewable | Yes (limited) | Yes |
Where to Do It
Main Maycom centers:
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Guatemala zona 9 | 12 calle 6-20 zona 9 (verified April 2026) |
| Guatemala zona 1 | 8a calle 2-25 zona 1 |
| Mixco | CC Mixco Centro, Calzada Roosevelt |
| Villa Nueva | Edificio Municipal |
| Antigua | 5a calle poniente |
| Quetzaltenango | 7a calle 11-50 zona 1 |
| Escuintla | 4a avenida 5-30 zona 1 |
- General hours: Monday to Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm
- Saturdays: some branches open 8am - 12pm
What we observed at Maycom zona 9: the learner-permit counter moves faster early (before 9am) and has shorter lines on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mondays and Fridays are saturated, especially at the start of the school year (January and February) when parents bring 16-year-old kids. Bring photocopies of every DPI – the nearby copy shop charges Q1 per page but fills with people, better to come with copies ready.
Restrictions and Obligations
Always When Driving
- Carry the permit physically and visible
- Carry DPI
- Companion with current license Type C, B or A
- Vehicle with current circulation card
- Vehicle with plates and sticker (renewal)
- Respect all traffic rules
Penalties for Infractions
| Infraction | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Driving without supervisor | Q300-Q500 fine + permit retention |
| Speeding | Double the fine of a regular driver |
| Driving with alcohol | Q1,500+ fine and immediate cancellation |
| Driving on restricted road | Q200-Q500 fine |
Tips
- Practice in safe areas first. Parking lots, low-traffic zones, daytime.
- Pick a good supervisor. Not just someone with a license, but someone with patience and real experience.
- Combine with formal classes. Although CECOVE is not required, a few hours with a professional instructor speed up learning.
- Do not wait until the last month before the exam. Use the full year of validity.
- Vary the conditions. Practice at night, in rain, on different types of roads.
- Defensive driving. Guatemala has aggressive drivers – learn to anticipate.
- At 18, apply directly for the regular license. Do not renew the learner permit if you are old enough.
- For minors: strictly supervised driving. If the minor drives alone and causes an accident, parents bear full civil liability.
Details
Significant liability. As the parent/guardian who signed the notarized authorization, you assume civil liability for damages caused by the minor while driving. This includes: (1) Damages to third parties in accidents – insurance should cover them but you are the legal responsible party if there is no insurance or the coverage is insufficient. (2) Traffic fines accumulated by the minor get registered against you as the signatory. (3) If the minor drives without a supervisor and causes an accident, beyond the minor’s penalties, there can be criminal liability for the vehicle owner. Recommendations: insure the vehicle with broad coverage, verify the minor always has a supervisor, maintain ongoing conversations about safe driving, consider installing GPS to monitor use.
Details
Yes. With a current Guatemalan residency (temporary or permanent), you can apply for the learner permit like any resident. Requirements: foreigner DPI / current residency card, passport, proof of address, eye exam. Nothing additional is required for being foreign. However: if you already have a valid license from your home country, you may prefer to go directly to the CECOVE course and regular license – the learner permit is unnecessary if you already know how to drive. The learner permit is only useful for someone learning from scratch.
Details
Yes, this is precisely one of its best uses. If you failed the CECOVE exam and need more practice: (1) Keep the learner permit current (renew if necessary). (2) Practice in real conditions with a supervisor – closer to everyday driving than a closed track. (3) Hire individual hours with a professional instructor if you can. (4) Practice specifically the maneuvers where you failed (parallel parking, circle, etc.). (5) Return to the exam when you have real confidence. (6) There is no cap on practical-exam attempts. The learner permit makes the time between attempts useful instead of wasted.
Related Trámites
- Practical Driving Exam – the formal exam after practicing
- Type C First License – the regular license that follows
- License Types – A, B, C, M comparison
- License Renewal – for regular licenses
- Traffic Fines Payment – applies to learners too
- Get DPI – basic requirement
How We Verify This Information
Last verified: April 2026. The costs, requirements and notarized-affidavit wording are based on consultations with authorized Maycom centers in Guatemala City and notaries who frequently process this paperwork. We update this page every quarter and whenever Maycom adjusts fees or requirements. If you got the learner permit recently and noticed a change, write to us.
Corrections and Updates
Just went through this with a teenager? The notarized affidavit had different wording? A Maycom counter changed location? Write to us – we keep this page current with reports from Guatemalan parents who just completed the process.
Official Links
- Maycom – Home
- Maycom – Requirements (procedure types, validity costs and penalties under Acuerdo Gubernativo 59-2012)
- Maycom – Branches (nationwide locations)
- Maycom – FAQ
- Maycom main office: 6 avenida 1-60 zona 9, Guatemala – Tel: +502 2421-0800 – Email: sugerencias@maycom.com.gt
- WhatsApp Maycom
- PNC Transit Department