8 Comments
Driver’s License in Peru

Driver’s License in Peru

How to get a Peruvian driving permit

Visitors who come to Peru as tourists or on any other short-term temporary visa can drive with their national driver’s license in Peru for up to 183 days. To be prepared for all eventualities it is, however, recommended to apply for an international driving license in your home country before visiting Peru, this way avoiding language barriers and discussions about the categories you are allowed to drive.

Foreign residents, however, have to get a Peruvian driving license as soon as they receive their carné. Even though many don’t do it and never have problems with their foreign / international driving permit not even during a random traffic check, in case of an accident the police might accuse you of driving without a Peruvian license and blaming you partly or completely for the accident even though it wasn’t your fault. In this case, insurance companies might refuse payment.

So, while it is, of course, some hassle to get a Peruvian driver’s license, in the end it might be wiser.

 

Content overview

 

Recognition and exchange of foreign driver’s licenses in Peru

According to Peruvian law, foreigners can exchange the driving permit they got in their home country (or any other country) for a Peruvian driver’s license.

At first glance, the requirements seem easy to meet and include original and copy of the applicant’s carné, original and copy of the applicant’s driver’s license issued outside Peru and passing a written exam.

However, on the requirement list you can find as well that the foreign driving license has to be authenticated with an Apostille or legalization (embassies of some countries authenticate that the foreign driver's license is valid) and the categories which the applicant is allowed to drive have to be “translated” to the Peruvian system. Getting this done might be the first hurdle to overcome if you want to exchange your driver’s license.

Additionalle, even though not on the requirement list often an extract from the central traffic register of the country, where the driver’s license was issued, indicating accidents and traffic violations of the applicant is asked; of course, this has to be apostilled or legalized as well. Getting this document in many countries is impossible or time-consuming and expensive.

So, in the end, it might be easier, quicker and way cheaper to just obtain your Peruvian driver’s license from scratch in Peru.

 

How to get a Peruvian Driver’s License?

For driving a privately used car, station wagon, SUV and pickup with a maximum of 5 tons, you have to apply for a Peruvian driver’s license Clase “A” Category I (A-1).

Nice and simple information on all other driving license categories can be found on the website of Peruvian Government. Please be aware that you have to have the A-1 driver’s license before you are allowed to get any other.

To get a Peruvian driving license, you have to meet four main requirements:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • pass a medical exam
  • pass a written exam
  • pass a driving exam

You are not required to attend a driving school or take a certain amount of driving lessons!

 

Medical exam to get your Peruvian driving license

The medical exam has to be done at one of several authorized clinics in Peru and costs around S/ 200 to S/ 400.

Requirements for the medical exam

  • Carné (foreigners) or DNI (Peruvians)
  • Passport photo with a white background (for foreigners only)

The medical exam includes

  • a general health check (brief interview, sounding of heart and lungs, blood pressure, balance check, lifting a weight)
  • a hearing and vision exam (reading some letters and hearing sounds)
  • blood typing (they just take a drop of blood from your fingertip)
  • a psychological exam (draw a person or geometric objects, answer personality questions)
  • a reasoning test (problem solving, mathematical reasoning)

Once you passed, you are fingerprinted. The result is shared with the MTC, the Transport and Communication Ministry responsible for issuing driver's license. However, you get a certificate or a receipt which is valid for 6 months.

 

Written exam to get your Peruvian driving license

The written exam tests your knowledge on Peruvian traffic regulations, infractions, penalties, efficient driving, first aid, etc., so nothing really different from back home. The exam comprises 40 questions that have to be answered within 40 minutes. To pass, you have to answer at least 35 questions correctly.

Below in the attachment section you can find all the exam questions according to the driving category. Before taking the official written exam, take the trial test on the website of the Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications to see if you are ready. Just choose the category and get started.

Requirements for the written exam

  • Carné (foreigners) or DNI (Peruvians) and copy
  • Passport photo with a white background (for foreigners only)
  • Medical exam certificate and copy
  • Payment receipt of S/ 67.32; in Lima you can pay at a Scotiabank, Interbank or BIF branch or at the office of the Touring Club; in the provinces the Dirección Regional de Transporte Terrestre of the province is in charge ad payments can be usually made at the evaluation center
  • Appointment

Please note: for years Peru required that applicants had to show proof of having completed secondary education / high school. While foreigners should have been exempted from this requirement, it still was asked. Anyway, since March 2018, when the regulations for obtaining a driver’s license in Peru were up-dated, a school diploma isn’t on the requirement list anymore.

First pay the fee. If you are in Lima register on the website of the Peruvian Touring and Automobile Club and make an appointment. Make sure to confirm the terms and conditions under “Condiciones” and to choose “Examen de reglas de transito”. Print your appointment confirmation. You can as well call 615-9315. If the system doesn’t allow you to choose between written and driving exam, best call and confirm if you need an appointment for the written exam. This only applies to Lima; in other cities the procedure may vary. Best check with your local evaluation center.

On the day of your appointment, arrive 30 - 60 minutes early with all above-mentioned documents at the evaluation center; in Lima it's at the Peruvian Touring and Automobile Club located on Av. César Vallejo 651, Lince. If you don’t show up on time, your appointment is canceled.

Then answer the 40 questions in 40 minutes or less. If you don’t know the answer to one of the questions, you can skip it and return later.

You have to get at least 35 questions correct. So, 6 wrong answers and you fail. You can, if necessary, take the written exam two more times.

If you pass, the result is automatically registered in the system of the MTC. You should get at least a receipt.

 

Driving exam to get the Peruvian driving license

First pay the fee for taking the driving exam at any Scotiabank or BIF. When you are in Lima make an appointment for the driving exam on the website of the Peruvian Touring and Automobile Club.

Requirements for the driving exam

  • Carné (foreigners) or DNI (Peruvians) and copy
  • Passport photo with a white background (for foreigners only)
  • Medical exam certificate and copy
  • Certificate of passed written exam and copy
  • Payment receipt of S/ 42
  • Appointment

If you take the test in Lima, it is highly recommended to practice for the driving exam on the practice course that is located near the test course at km 20 of the PanAmericana Sur, Villa el Salvador, Lima before your actual driving exam. The practice course is a replica of the actual test course and allows you to get a feel for the exam, get to know what the driving examiners expect and allows you to practice diagonal and parallel parking in the super small parking spaces. To enter, you have to show all your documents. More or less S/ 50 well invested.

On the day of your appointment arrive 30 - 60 minutes early at the driving evaluation center in Conchan, km 21.5 of the PanAmericana Sur, Villa el Salvador, Lima or at the corresponding testing centers in the provinces with all above-mentioned documents.

For the driving exam, you can either bring your own car or rent a vehicle on-site. We highly recommend bringing or renting a small car, which makes it easier to pass the parking test.

Since January 2018, the driving exam comprises two parts - at least in Lima: the first part is done on the test course, either with your own or a rented car. If you passed this, the exam continues on public roads and there takes about 30 minutes. For this part of the driving exam, a car with dual controls is used that additionally has a camera and microphone installed.

When you are finished with the driving exam, wait for the results. If you passed, the result once again is registered in the MTC system and you are at least handed a receipt or certificate. If you fail the driving exam, and this is nothing uncommon, you can take it 2 more times. If you fail all 3 times, you have to wait for three months to start with the complete process again.

 

Finally, applying for your driver’s license in Peru

Once you passed the medical exam, the written exam and the driving exam, you can apply for your Peruvian driver’s license.

Requirements for applying for a Peruvian driver's license

  • Minimum age 18
  • Medical exam
  • Passed written exam
  • Passed driving exam
  • Payment receipt of S/ 24.50
  • MTC application form
  • Sworn statement (in the attachment section at the end of the article, you can find an example)

First pay the fee for obtaining a driver's license; in Lima you can pay on pagalo.pe or at any Banco de la Nacion branch; however, if you are in the provinces you can only pay at a Banco de la Nacion branch. The fee is S/ 6.70 for an electronic driver's license and S/ 14.70 for a physical card. Payment is done on pagalo.pe for the Ministerio de Transportes y Communicaciones under code 01601 Licencia de conducir electronico or under code 1602 Licencia de conducir fisica; concept Expedición de Licencia de Conducir Clase A electronica/fisica. See our article “Paying administration charges and processing fees in Peru” for detailed information on paying fees in Peru.

With all your documents (certificate of medical exam, certificate of passed written and driving exam, forms, receipt) you then can apply for your driver’s license at the office of the MTC responsible for issuing the permit or corresponding offices in the provinces. Find here a list.

When you are in Lima or Arequipa you as well can apply online on the website of the Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications under “Tramite de Licencias de Conducir” (note: it seems that since an update the website only allows DNI holders to apply online). In Lima you can choose where you want to pick up your license:

  • MTC office in Lince on Av. Trinidad Morán 604
  • MTC office in Lima’s center on Jr. Antenor Orrego1923, Chacra Rios, Cercado de Lima
  • MAC Lima Norte at the Commercial Center Plaza Norte on Av. Alfredo Mendiola 1400, Independencia
  • MAC Lima Este, Av. Ancash 2151, El Agustino

When you apply online, print the application form and bring it together with all your other documents when you pick up your driver’s license.

Congratulations! You made it! For the next 10 years, you now can legally drive in Peru.

All information is published to our best knowledge and should give you a general guideline on how to get a Peruvian driver's license. As regulations, requirements and practices can change without prior notice, all information is subject to change! Therefore, we recommend checking the current regulations and requirements with the Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Peruvian Touring and Automobile Club shortly before starting the process.

Attachments

  • File Description
    File Size
    File Type
    Downloads
  • Declaracion Jurada - Sworn statement
    85 KB
    97
  • Drivers-Licenses-Questions-Class-A-Category-I
    475 KB
    415
  • Drivers-Licenses-Questions-Class-A-Category-IIA
    502 KB
    53
  • Drivers-Licenses-Questions-Class-A-Category-IIB
    556 KB
    28
  • Drivers-Licenses-Questions-Class-A-Category-IIIA
    553 KB
    22
  • Drivers-Licenses-Questions-Class-A-Category-IIIB
    550 KB
    19
  • Drivers-Licenses-Questions-Class-A-Category-IIIC
    735 KB
    20
  • Drivers-Licenses-Questions-Class-B-Category-IIA
    207 KB
    34
  • Drivers-Licenses-Questions-Class-B-Category-IIB
    197 KB
    41
  • Drivers-Licenses-Questions-Class-B-Category-IIC
    206 KB
    38
Say something here...
characters left
or post as a guest
All comments MUST be in English and will be moderated before publishing.
They will appear below within 24 hours.
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Jonathan Kiehle · 06/07/2023
    Thank you for the information. The blog I was reading was produced by Gringo Taxis. He was probably referring to his situation. Hauling passengers means he is a commercial driver. 

    I was thinking it would be easier to do this in Lima because I will need to rent a car to take the test. Seems there are rental companies in Lima. Also there are the practice courses. I am not sure what the options for rentals are in Trujillo or if there are practice courses. I also thought I would have a wider range of vehicles, more makes and models to choose from in Lima. Assuming I am successful in getting a license I plan to drive to Bucaramanga to pick up my e-bikes and stuff I stored there.

     I am actually in Huanchacho. Anyway I found a wonderful Motorhome in Bogota I wanted to buy. It is just three years old but I discovered vehicles that are over two years old can’t be imported. Anyway I had already booked my flight so rather than canceling the Trujillo to Lima portion of my flight I thought I would go ahead and come to Lima. 

    Thank you again for your response eres muy amable !

    Jonathan 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 06/07/2023
      @Jonathan Kiehle
      Wishing you all the best and good luck with your driver's license and your planned travels.

      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Jonathan Kiehle · 05/07/2023
    Hi, I was wondering what the renewal interval is for older people. I will be 70 in October. I read on another blog you need to renew every six months after a certain age? I am planning to come to Lima July 30th ( from Trujillo) to start the process of obtaining a license. I want to buy or build  a box truck Motorhome and travel SA. I have a carne already? Thanks for your insights!
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 06/07/2023
      @Jonathan Kiehle
      Hello Jonathan,

      I'm not aware of any recent changes for drivers of private (non-commercial) vehicles and despite checking all (hope I found all) modifications of Decreto Supremo N° 007-2016-MTC (the regulations for the issuance and renewal of driver's licenses in Peru), I couldn't find any official website / law stating that private drivers have to renew their license every six months after a certain age. So, I wonder on which blog you read this.

      According to the website of the Ministerio de Transportes y Communicaciones (MTC) the obligation to renew a license every six months only applies to the age group 76 to 81 years who have a "licencia professional", so, a license to drive a commercial vehicle.

      Assuming that you want to apply for a driver's license allowing you to drive a private vehicle (car, SUV, pick-up, etc., I think up to 4t or 5t), which would be class A, category I (hope your truck still falls into this category, you can check the different options on the government website), you must get your license before turning 80 years. 

      From 70 years to 75 years the license is only valid for 5 years, from 76  to 81  only 3 years and over 81 you must renew after 2 years. However, starting from 70 years old you must present a medical check to renew your license.

      And one other remark: why do you want to get your driver's license in Lima? I was told that going through the process in the provinces is much easier, much quicker and more relaxed.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    jannik · 27/05/2023
    Hi i'm interested in motorcycle license, category A. I am 23 years old and from Denmark. Do you think It is possible to transfer it to Denmark? I going to be on exchange in Peru for 5 months
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 27/05/2023
      @jannik Hello Jannik,

      Honestly, I can’t understand why anyone would consider making a motorcycle license in Peru. Driving a car is already challenging, driving a motorcycle is outright dangerous.

      With this being said, I don’t know the regulations in Denmark to have a Peruvian license recognized.

      However, as Denmark is part of the EU and all member states should have the same or similar regulations, I assume (!) that the rules are the same as in Germany, where I know how it’s done. If your permanent residence is in Germany, you can apply for a recognition of a driver’s license from a non-EU country. But even though you don’t have to take theoretical classes and don’t have to do the obligatory driving lessons, you still have to take and pass the theoretical and practical exam.

      As said before, not sure if it's the same in Denmark, so probably best check with your driving license office there.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Milan Malina · 23/12/2022
    Hello, I am a tourist, I have just my passport, not CE. I have an international drivers license (which is recognized also in Peru) with a certification for A1 and B. I would like to buy a moto/pitbike with low horsepower. Practically low power and cheap. Something faster than a bicycle with an engine. I would like to ask what is the equivalent of A1 in Peru and what vehicle can I actually legally drive. 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 25/12/2022
      @Milan Malina Hello Milan,

      Where are you from? Europe? Then A1 would be motorcycles not exceeding 125ccm and B would mean cars with less than 3.5t (if I remember correctly). But there are other countries which have driver’s license categories with A1 and B, so not sure.

      Anyway, you find all the categories of the Peruvian driver’s license on the government website. Just check there which category is equivalent to the category you have in your home country.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Sister Bernadette Taraschi · 02/05/2022
    I have passed everything including the driving test.  I am having trouble finding where I go to pick up my license. I am a foreigner so I have a carne not a DNI. On the Trámite de Licencias de Conducir website it requires a DNI, not a carne. What do I do next?
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 02/05/2022
      @Sister Bernadette Taraschi Good day Sister Bernadette,

      Congratulations!

      I just checked the Trámite de Licencias de Conducir website and you are right. You can't change the Tipo de documento anymore.

      Personally, I would go to the MTC office in Lince on Av. Trinidad Morán 604 / Av. Cesar Vallejo 643. Take all your documents with you and apply in person there. It should work.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Brett Anglesey · 07/11/2021
    My brother-in-law tried to renew his Peruvian license and failed the Medical exam because of his color blindness. Do you know what can be done? It's not really fair at all because even here in the US, you can be colorblind and get a license. 
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 07/11/2021
      @Brett Anglesey
      As far as I'm aware colorblind people are prohibited to drive in Peru.

      You wrote that your brother-in-law wants to renew his license; so he must have passed the exam before. Any idea how he managed to pass the sight test before? Or might there be a chance to train for the visual test? If he tried everything another option is always to find a "tramitador" that might be able to help in such cases and mediate for a certain fee.

      Sorry, I couldn't help more.

      Greetings
      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Douglas Graham · 15/10/2021
    Hi Sunflower. Peru in Lima used to have an English version of the written test. I tried taking the practice written test with the English version, but it was so poorly translated that it was impossible to understand. At that time, some years ago, I had the option of bringing a translator to help with the written test. I read in one post that the exam bureau would furnish the translator, in another, that you could bring your own person to translate. I know enough Spanish that the physical driving test does not concern me. I can pass the written example tests in English at 100% but I cannot begin to understand it in Spanish. By your reply, I am guessing that an English test no longer exists. Thank you for your prompt response.
    Douglas Graham
    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 15/10/2021
      @Douglas Graham
      As you wrote that you have problems with the practice exam, I thought you were referring to the driving test and not the written (theoretical) exam. Sorry, for the misunderstanding.

      You can still take the written exam in English, however I'm not sure, if they improved the translation. And to my knowledge (as of beginning of 2020, so there might have been changes) you still can bring your own translator.

      Have a nice weekend

      Eva
  • This commment is unpublished.
    Douiglas Graham · 14/10/2021
    I do not speak Spanish. I have tried to take the practice exam in English, but the translations are nonsensical. Can I bring someone to translate for me?

    • This commment is unpublished.
      Sunflower
      • LimaEasy
      · 14/10/2021
      @Douiglas Graham
      First of all congrats for passing the written exam.

      If you can bring a translator with you for the driving exam, I don't know; but you could ask at the driving evaluation center, if this option exists or if they have driving examiners speaking English.

      If not and if you are in Lima, I would book some practice hours at the practice course that is located near the driving evaluation center. I'm sure there you can bring a translator who could translate the instructions of the person who acts as the driving examiner and without stress you could learn the few Spanish sentences and words necessary to understand the instructions of the real driving examiner during your practice exam. 

      All the best

      Eva

Peru Newsflash

Peru Event Calendar

Latest Content...

Latest Video

Maria Reiche - Memories

Maria Reiche - Memories

Submitted by: Tintin
05 December 2021

Long Reads...

  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The Mystery of the Nazca Lines in Peru

    In the 1920s, when people first flew across southern Peru, they made an astonishing discovery. Stretching below them,…
  • Peruvian Personalities & Founders

    Francisco Pizarro González (1474-1541)

    Francisco Pizarro, a peasant from Spain, was one of the least well-equipped conquerors in history. However, in the name…
  • Peruvian Archaeology

    The colorful Fabrics and Textiles of Peru

    Europe’s first knowledge of Peruvian textiles was acquired following the Spanish invasion of Peru in 1532, when the…
  • Peruvian Legends, Myths & Tales

    The Jeweled Frog and the Condor

    By a quiet pond, at the side of a cloud-topped mountain in Peru, lived a small green frog and his large green family.…
  • Peru Info

    Peruvian Economy

    The Peruvian economy is an emerging, social market economy highly dependent on foreign trade and classified as an upper…