More and more people in Panama City are opting not to buy a car. This makes sense for some of my clients, since Ubers and other ride-shares are very prevalent in Panama City. A lot of my clients also gravitate toward the more City’s more walkable neighborhoods.
But most people who will be here for awhile still choose to have a car for things like going to the supermarket. And even if you aren’t keeping a car, you may want to be able to drive every now and then to access the mountains and beaches of Panama’s interior.
Fortunately, getting your Panama driver’s license is pretty straightforward. In fact, it’s easier and less stressful than actually driving in Panama City. This article will tell you everything you need to know.
The Basics of the Panama Driver’s License
First, the minimum driving age in Panama is 18. So, if you are relocating to Panama with a driving-age teenager from somewhere like the US or Canada, they will not be able to drive here. And remember the little fender-benders you had in high school? Well, here in Panama we have those as young adults.
Second, driving in Panama is probably very different from in your home country. For example, people use their horns more than their turn signals. Also, the shoulder of the highway frequently treated as an additional lane. And you’ll find that a lot of drivers still haven’t quite bought into the theory that being courteous with one another ultimately keeps traffic flowing more smoothly.
Third, the Panama government works with a company called SERTACEN to administer the tests and issue the driver’s licenses. So, the process to get your driver’s license always ends at SERTACEN.
Finally, you will also need to have your blood type confirmed at a local lab when you get your Panama driver’s license. You may also need to validate your foreign driver’s license at your country’s embassy, and then authenticate it at Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Relations.
Driving as a Tourist
If you are just visiting in Panama, your foreign license allows you to drive for up to 90 days so long as you remain a tourist. A few things to note here:
- Be sure to carry your passport with a visible entry stamp showing your arrival to Panama within the last 90 days.
- The 90-day limit is a transit authority law, and it is separate from immigration laws.
For example, if you are here on a Canadian or US passport, then you can remain in Panama as a tourist for up to 180 days. But you will only be allowed to drive using your foreign driver’s license for the first 90 days. - You cannot obtain a Panama license as a tourist.
So once you pass your 90-day mark as a tourist, there is no way for you to legally drive in Panama. If you want to keep driving as a tourist, then you will need to travel outside of the country to get a new entry stamp in your passport. But to obtain a Panama driver’s license, you must apply for residency. - If you apply for Panama residency, you are no longer considered a tourist. And you are required to obtain a Panama driver’s license if you want to keep driving here.
When you apply for residency, you are no longer able to legally drive with your foreign driver’s license, even if you are still within the 90-day window from your arrival.
Driving without a valid Driver’s License
Some folks may tell you that so long as you have an entry stamp in your passport showing that you entered the country within the last 90 days, you can just show your foreign driver’s license. Some people may even suggest that if you travel frequently, there is no reason to ever get your Panama driver’s license, even once you have residency.
But be aware that if this strategy ever fails or works out less than perfectly, the police may impound your car. Or they may give a US $150 ticket to your Panamanian wife who DOES have her driver’s license (feel free to ask my husband about any of this).
Obtaining a Driver’s License with Panama Residency
Within just a few days after you start the Panama residency application process, you will get a provisional residency card. This allows you to stay in Panama, and to come and go while your residency visa is being processed. And at that point, you can get your Panama driver’s license.
However, this driver’s license will be tied to the provisional residency card. So, once your residency visa has been approved, you will need to renew your driver’s license. But the renewal is no big deal. In fact, you can even do it online.
There are 2 ways to obtain your license: Option A is to validate your foreign driver’s license. Option B is to go through driver’s education.
OPTION A – Validating your Foreign Driver’s License
If you have a valid driver’s license from your home country, then you can have your foreign license validated by your country’s embassy here in Panama. This is the fastest and easiest way to get your Panama driver’s license, because you can skip most of the testing steps.
If you aren’t planning to validate a foreign driver’s license, then you can jump ahead to read about Testing for your Panama Driver’s License.
But if you want to get your Panama driver’s license by validating your foreign license, then here is what you have to do:
- Do a blood test to confirm your blood type.
You must do the blood test at a lab in Panama that is approved by SERTACEN. I have not been able to find an updated, complete list of approved labs. But here are a couple labs that are approved and that have multiple locations around Panama:
LABORATORIOS RALY
LABORATORIO CLÍNICO FERNANDEZ
Be sure to tell the lab that the blood test is for your driver’s license application. They will give you a specific document that you will need to take to SERTACEN. - You´ll need to sign an affidavit with your country’s embassy in Panama to validate your driver’s license from your home country.
The process will vary from one embassy to another. For the US Embassy, you´ll have to make an appointment, go personally to the Embassy with your driver’s license and passport, and pay a US $100 fee. However, the Canadian Embassy will do it via courier.
By the way, you can actually validate your license at the embassy BEFORE doing the blood test. However, the affidavit from some embassies includes a space for you to put your blood type. So, if you are not 100% sure about that, then I recommend doing the blood test before validating your foreign driver’s license. - Authenticate the Embassy affidavit with Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Relations.
You have to make an appointment, which involves filling out an online form. They will usually give you the appointment for a day or two later. - Take a vision and hearing test at SERTACEN.
This is also by appointment, and you can schedule it here. You will go the SERTACEN location where you made the appointment with your foreign driver’s license, your passport, your blood type document and your authenticated embassy affidavit.
The vision and hearing test are very quick. The cost is US $40. Unless you qualify for age-related discounts, which you can CHECK HERE.
OPTION B – Testing for your Panama Driver’s License
But how about if you don’t have a driver’s license from your home country? Or it is expired, or you can’t find it? Or maybe it is just taking too long to get an appointment with your embassy…
In that case, you can get your Panama driver’s license by going to driving school and taking the full set of driving tests. Here is what you need to do:
- Register at one of Panama’s driving schools.
There are driving schools located all around the country. You will have to register in person, but most of the schools allow you to take classes online. Once you complete the class, you´ll get a diploma.
This all happens over around 15 days, and the cost is around US $70. - Do a blood test to confirm your blood type.
The blood test must be performed at a lab approved by SERTACEN. Here are a couple of labs that are approved and that have multiple locations around Panama:
LABORATORIOS RALY
LABORATORIO CLÍNICO FERNANDEZ
Be sure to tell the lab that the blood test is for your driver’s license application, as they will give you a specific document that you will need to take to SERTACEN. - Take 4 tests at SERTACEN.
Written Test:
The test consists of 10 multiple choice questions. But during driving school, you will have received a study book with 133 questions that could potentially appear on the test. Actually, you can see them right here.
Driving Test:
This is actually more of a parking test. Be prepared to demonstrate your skills parking a car backwards, forwards and by parallel parking. You will need to provide the vehicle.
Vision Test:
This is a fast and pretty basic test on a small screen. You won’t find the test itself challenging unless you have vision issues.
Hearing Test:
Beeps of varying frequencies in your left ear and right ear.
You can schedule your appointment here. Go the SERTACEN location where you made the appointment with your passport, your blood type document, your diploma and the results of your written test and driving test.
The cost is US $40, unless you qualify for age-related discounts (CHECK HERE).
Renewing Your Driver’s License
Once you get your Panama driver’s license, you’ll only need to renew it every 4 years. But the process is super easy and can now be done online. And once you pass age 70, you will need to renew your driver’s license every 2 years.
The cost of renewal varies by age, as you can SEE HERE.
Bottom Line?
If you are in Panama as a tourist, then your foreign driver’s license will allow you to drive legally for up to 90 days from your arrival. However, once you initiate the residency process, you are required to obtain a Panama driver’s license.
The fastest and easiest way to get your Panama driver’s license is to validate your license from your home country. Otherwise, you’ll need to go to take a quick driver’s education class as well as a written test and a parking test.
You don’t need an attorney to get your driver’s license in Panama or to renew it. However, I help a lot of my clients with these processes. If you have questions, you can write to me at info@theindependentlawyer.com.
