DIRECT ACCESS — TYPE E LICENSE (UBER/INDRIVER)
Departamento de Transito — Category E
Before applying, have ready:
  • Valid DPI
  • Valid Type C license with at least 1 year seniority
  • Age 21+ years completed
  • Clean criminal records ([procedure](/tramites/pnc-antecedentes-penales/))
  • Clean police records ([procedure](/tramites/pnc-antecedentes-policiacos/))
  • Medical exam with active certified physician
  • No pending fines in SAT
  • Proof of address (water/light bill in your name or service receipt)
Cost: Q500 first time / Q300 renewal · Time: 30-45 business days · Validity: 2 years · Verified: May 2026

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

The Type E license was created in 2024 specifically for technological transport platform drivers — Uber, InDriver, Yango, Yummy, Cabify, and similar. Previously, rideshare drivers operated in a gray area with ordinary Type C license; Decreto 17-2024 (Technological Transport Law) closed that legal gap. If you drive for any passenger transport app in Guatemala, you need Type E or you’ll be violating the law and risking suspension of your profile.

Quick takeaway: The Type E license is mandatory since 2024 for driving Uber, InDriver, Yango, Yummy and similar. Requires age 21+, 1+ year with Type C, Type E CECOVE exam, medical exam, clean records. Cost: Q500 first time, Q300 renewal. Validity: 2 years. Apps verify against the PNC database since early 2025 — anyone still on Type C will be suspended.

Rates and requirements verified for May 2026 against Decreto 17-2024 and the 2024 Type E Ministerial Agreement.

The main question drivers ask: is it worth paying Q500 if I already have Type C? Short answer: YES, because without Type E (1) apps suspend you when they verify (income loss), (2) if you have an accident working with an app, your insurance may deny coverage for “undeclared commercial use” on a personal policy, (3) at a traffic stop driving for hire with Type C, fines range Q500-Q1,000 plus license suspension. Recovering the Q500 investment takes 2-3 days of full-time Uber driving.

Type C vs Type B vs Type E — Which Do You Need?

CategoryUse caseMin agePrerequisiteApprox cost
Type CPersonal car, no paid transport18NoneQ400 (5 years)
Type BTaxi, tourist shuttle, general commercial microbus232 years with Type C + secondary diplomaQ950 (incl. exams)
Type EUber, InDriver, Yango, Yummy apps, app delivery211 year with Type CQ500
Type AHeavy truck, bus253 years with Type B or CQ1,200
Type MMotorcycle16NoneQ300

If you’ll also drive a conventional taxi: Type B covers both apps and traditional taxis. Type E only covers apps registered in Guatemala. If you only do Uber/InDriver, Type E is more economical and faster.

Detailed Requirements

Age and Experience

  • 21 years completed at time of application
  • Type C license valid with minimum 1 year of continuous seniority (no expirations)

Documents

  • DPI valid (not expired)
  • Type C license valid
  • Criminal records clean or with explanation (old minor offenses)
  • Police records clean
  • Medical exam with active certified physician (Q50-Q100 at clinics near transito)
  • Proof of address (light, water, telephone or internet bill in your name or basic service receipt)
  • Fines solvency SAT and traffic (fines lookup)

Exams

  • Type E theoretical exam: 30 questions on Technological Transport Law, passenger safety, customer service
  • Type E practical exam: urban driving with evaluation focused on passenger transport (defensive driving, safe stops for passenger, professional treatment)

Restrictions that block Type E issuance

  • DUI (driving under influence of alcohol or drugs) in the last 3 years
  • Conviction for negligent homicide (fatal hit-and-run)
  • Active license suspension
  • Unpaid traffic fines
  • Criminal records for sex crimes or kidnapping

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Verify Prerequisites

  1. Confirm age 21+ and 1+ year continuous Type C
  2. Process criminal records and police records (Q50 each)
  3. Verify no pending fines in SAT

Step 2: Medical Exam

  1. Visit authorized clinic (list at transito.gob.gt)
  2. Exam includes: vision, hearing, blood pressure, neurological check
  3. Cost: Q50-Q100 by clinic
  4. Bring your glasses if you use them

Step 3: CECOVE Registration

  1. Centro de Capacitacion para Conductores Vehiculares (CECOVE) charges for Type E exam
  2. Pay Q200-Q300 for theoretical + practical exam
  3. Schedule appointment (1-3 weeks wait)

Step 4: Type E Theoretical Exam

  1. 30 questions on:
    • Technological Transport Law (Decreto 17-2024)
    • Customer service
    • Passenger safety
    • Emergency procedures
    • Defensive city driving
  2. Pass: 80% or higher (24/30 correct)
  3. If you fail, 1 free retry; after that pay again

Step 5: Type E Practical Exam

  1. Driving on urban circuit (45-60 minutes)
  2. Evaluation focused on:
    • Safe trip start and end
    • Smooth driving (no hard braking)
    • Passenger treatment (greeting, destination confirmation)
    • GPS navigation
    • Reactions to pedestrians and other vehicles
  3. Pass: without committing serious infractions

Step 6: License Payment

  1. Pay Q500 (first time) at Banrural with boleta
  2. Take receipt to Departamento de Transito office

Step 7: License Issuance

  1. Central Departamento de Transito office (zona 9, Guatemala)
  2. Present all documents
  3. Photo and digital fingerprints
  4. Receive Type E license in 7-15 business days
  5. Meanwhile, receive valid provisional certificate

Cost and Timing

ItemCostTime
Criminal recordsQ501-3 days
Police recordsQ501-2 days
Medical examQ50-Q100Same day
CECOVE Type E examQ200-Q3001-3 weeks wait
Type E license (first time)Q5007-15 days delivery
Renewal (every 2 years)Q3007-15 days
Total process~Q900-Q1,00030-45 business days

Common Errors

Details

The first retry is free and is scheduled in 7-15 days. If you fail the second, you must pay Q200-Q300 again and wait another 7-15 days. Recommendation: study the official Decreto 17-2024 manual (free download at transito.gob.gt) and take the practice online theoretical exam. The hardest questions are about driving hour limits (8 continuous hours maximum) and passenger rights (refund within 24 hours if valid complaint).

Details

NO. The 1-year continuous requirement is strict and is verified in the system before accepting the application. Wait the missing 4 months and apply as soon as you complete 12 months. Important: if your Type C has expired and you renewed it, the counter restarts from the new issuance date. If you’re close, don’t do anything risky on your Type C — fines or suspensions reset the count.

Details

Common causes: (1) You did NOT upload the Type E photo to the app profile — go to “Documents” in the app and upload a clear color photo of both sides. (2) Your license has watermark, blurry seal or fuzzy photo — request a new photo at the transito office. (3) The full name on your license doesn’t exactly match your app profile — update profile. (4) The app is verifying against an outdated database — write to support and attach photo and transito certification. Typical resolution: 24-72 hours.

Details

YES. Type E is a personal authorization, not tied to a specific app. You can have profiles active simultaneously on Uber, InDriver, Yango, Yummy and any other registered. Each app will have its own verification process (upload Type E photo, verify against PNC). What DOES change: accounts share vehicle verification — if the vehicle isn’t registered, no app will accept it, regardless of license.

Penalties

InfractionSanction
Driving for app without Type E (with Type C)Fine Q500-Q1,000 + Type C suspension 30 days
Forging Type ECriminal complaint for fraud + fine Q5,000 + license block 5 years
Driving with expired Type EFine Q500 + license retention until renewal
Performing transport outside regulation (no app, no Type E)Fine Q1,000 + license suspension
Driving under influence (DUI) with Type EType E suspension 5 years + criminal complaint + Q5,000

Tips to Maximize Income with Type E

  1. Work peak hours (6-9am, 12-2pm, 5-8pm weekdays; Friday-Saturday night). “Surge” or multiplier rates are active.
  2. Maintain rating >4.7 — dynamic rates favor drivers with good ratings.
  3. Combine apps — if Uber is slow, turn on InDriver or Yango. They don’t suspend for being on multiple platforms.
  4. Care for the vehicle — trips with low cleanliness/comfort ratings lose tips and don’t earn repeat customers.
  5. DON’T accept very long trips at start of day — you lose the “streak” of short trips in high-density areas.
  6. Renew Type E in advance — apps suspend immediately when it expires.
  7. Consider Type B if you plan formal taxi — broader coverage, taxi pays the driver.