Lost or Stolen License Plates Guatemala 2026: How to Report and Replace (SAT)

Written by the Guatemala Life team, based in Guatemala City.

Lost or stolen vehicle plates are a common problem for Guatemalan drivers — especially in Guatemala City where plate theft (for use on cloned vehicles or fraudulent resale) is problematic. This guide explains who to report to, how to process the SAT replacement, what it costs, and what happens if you drive without plates in the meantime. It also covers the special case of plates used in crimes or that appear in fines you didn’t generate.

Quick takeaway: If your plates were stolen, file a complaint with the Ministerio Publico; if you lost them, file a notice with the PNC. Then get the DEIC physical inspection and the SAT replacement: Q75 for a 2-plate vehicle or Q30 for a 1-plate vehicle (form SAT-8933, or an Agencia Virtual request if your card and certificate are electronic). SAT publishes no delivery time and no provisional permit; driving without plates carries a Q500 fine and the vehicle can be retained.

Requirements and fees verified 24 September 2026 on the SAT portal; fines from the Traffic Regulation (Acuerdo Gubernativo 273-98).

What many drivers don’t know: SAT does not replace plates on your word. If you no longer have them, it requires the PNC notice (loss) or the Ministerio Publico complaint (theft), and in every case a current physical inspection of the vehicle by the PNC’s DEIC. If the plates are only damaged, you bring them with the signed return form.

When You Need to Report

Important: plate replacement is DIFFERENT from vehicle cancellation. If you only lost the plates but still have the vehicle, you do replacement. If you lost the entire vehicle (theft, destruction), you do cancellation.

Required Documents

For the notice or complaint (Step 1)

• Valid DPI of registered owner
• Vehicle circulation card (if you still have it)
• Details of the location and time of loss/theft
• Plate number being reported

For SAT replacement (Step 2)

Per SAT’s published requirements (checked 24 September 2026):

• Valid ID: DPI, or passport if you are a foreigner (owner, agent or legal representative)
• Agencia Virtual and updated RTU digital data
• ISCV solvency for all vehicles registered to you (vehicle registration and sticker)
• Paid form SAT-8933 (Q75 two plates / Q30 one plate) and its signed annex
• Original circulation card and ownership certificate (if missing: PNC notice or MP complaint, plus Q60 to replace the card)
• Copy of the PNC notice (loss) or Ministerio Publico complaint (theft)
• Current physical inspection of the vehicle by the DEIC

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: PNC notice or Ministerio Publico complaint

1. If stolen: file a complaint with the Ministerio Publico — that is the document SAT asks for to replace stolen plates.
2. If lost: file a notice with the Policia Nacional Civil (or ask the Ministerio Publico for a certificate).
3. Bring DPI and circulation card (if you still have it), and describe:
   • Exact plate number
   • Location (exact address or zone)
   • Time and date
   • Circumstances
4. Keep a copy of the notice or complaint — SAT asks you to attach a photocopy.

Step 2: DEIC inspection and SAT checks

1. Get the physical inspection of the vehicle (expertaje) at an authorized DEIC site of the PNC. SAT describes it as free and valid for 60 business days.
2. Check in Agencia Virtual:
   • ISCV solvency for all your vehicles
   • Correct data of vehicle and owner in RTU
3. If ISCV is pending, pay it first: SAT requires solvency.

Step 3: Request and payment

There are two routes:

• With electronic distintivos (electronic card and certificate): file the request in your Agencia Virtual; the system generates the payment on form SAT-8940 (Q75 two plates / Q30 one plate). Then go to a SAT office or agency with the request code and your DPI to receive the plates.
• With form SAT-8933: fill it in on Declaraguate, generate the SAT-2000 payment slip and pay at an authorized bank; then generate and print the annex (Declaracion para Modificaciones y Reposiciones) and sign it.

Step 4: File at the SAT agency

1. Go to a SAT office or agency with all requirements and payments.
2. If someone else files for you, they must meet SAT’s authorized-third-party or agent requirements.

Step 5: Meanwhile — do not drive without plates

SAT’s replacement requirements do not mention a provisional circulation permit. The Traffic Regulation fines driving without plates at Q500 (art. 184) and orders a vehicle driven without plates to be retained and impounded (art. 176). Ask at the SAT agency whether they issue any document to drive; if not, keep the vehicle parked.

Step 6: Plate delivery

1. SAT does not publish a delivery time for the plates. Ask at the agency when you file.
2. The electronic circulation card and ownership certificate are downloaded from your Agencia Virtual; the electronic sticker is printed from the SAT website.

Step 7: Install the New Plates

1. Bolt the plates on the vehicle’s brackets: the Traffic Regulation (art. 19) requires them visible, front and rear.
2. Circulation card: if replaced, carry it in the vehicle (or an authenticated photocopy).

Cost and Timing

Common Errors

Penalties

How to Prevent Plate Theft

Especially in the Guatemala City zones where theft is most common:

1. Anti-theft screws: install security screws (special head) instead of standard screws.
2. Park in garage when possible — open street at night is high risk.
3. Don’t park in dark or low-traffic zones.
4. Install dashcam that covers plates while parked.
5. If you receive an alert from your insurance app or monitoring system, check immediately.
6. Report suspicious people looking at plates or vehicles in your area.

Related Procedures

• Hub: Guatemala Driving and Vehicle Procedures — all vehicle and license trámites
• Vehicle Registration and Circulation Tax — ISCV solvency required
• Online Fines Lookup — verify before
• Vehicle Cancellation — if vehicle was also stolen
• Vehicle Transfer / Sale — if you sold the vehicle
• Drive Guatemala-Registered Vehicle Abroad — needs valid plates
• Police Records — sometimes requested in investigation

Official Links

• SAT — Plate replacement with form SAT-8933
• SAT — Plate replacement through Agencia Virtual
• SAT — Vehicle requirements
• SAT Call Center 1550 — tax inquiries
• PNC — loss notice
• Departamento de Transito — general information