The driver’s license is one of the most important documents for the driver, When processing it you obtain the official permit to drive a car, it serves as a personal identification, in case of a car accident the insurance asks for the license to be able to process the repair service or medical expenses, when committing an offense, it is the first thing they ask for along with the identification card, to name a few.
Requirements to obtain a license
In addition to the general requirements, you must:
To obtain professional license (A1 to A5)
Be at least 20 years old.
- Prove possession of a B license for at least two years.
- Have passed the professional driver courses at a school recognized by the State.
- If you want to obtain an A3 license, you must prove that you have been in possession of an A1, A2, A4 or A5 license for at least two years.
For an A5 license, you must prove possession of an A2, A3 or A4 license for at least two years.
In those cases of drivers who require an A3 or A5 license and do not prove that they have any of the other licenses that are required of them, they must have passed a special theoretical and practical course at a school for professional drivers. This course must contemplate the use of total immersion simulators or other equivalent technology that resembles real driving conditions. The characteristics and technical specifications of these simulators will be established in a regulation to be issued by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications.
For A3 or A5 licenses, they must also pass the theoretical exam corresponding to the type of professional license to which they are applying at the respective Municipality.
The course for drivers who aspire to an A3 or A5 license must be accredited by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, which is obliged to establish in a regulation, the duration of the course and minimum practical and theoretical contents that the course program will have to consider special, including a minimum and maximum of hours of driving and practice in the simulator.
For non-professional license
Class B
Be over 18 years old, exceptionally 17 years old.
Be a graduate of basic education.
Class C
Being over 18 years.
Be a graduate of basic education.
For special licenses
Class d
Being over 18 years.
Literacy.
Accredit knowledge and practice in the handling of the vehicles or special machinery in question.
Class e
Be at least 18 years of age.
Literacy. Anyone who passes a special exam may be exempted from this requirement.
Class f
Be at least 18 years old.
Approve the respective institutional courses.
Required documents
- Basic education certificate.
- Identity card.
- Be 18 years of age, exceptionally 17.
- Theoric exam.
- Practical test.
- Psychotechnical and vision medical examination.
Steps to Get a Driver’s License
- Consign all the necessary documents.
- Present the Theoretical, Practical and Medical Examination of the Vision.
- Pay the necessary UMT.
- Wait for notification when your document is ready.
License types
There are three major classifications:
Professionals
- Class A1:to drive taxis.
- Class A2:to drive taxis, ambulances or motorized vehicles of public and private transport of people with a capacity of 10 to 17 passengers, not counting the driver, or up to 32 seats, when they have been in possession of this license for at least two years and provided that the length of the vehicle does not exceed nine meters.
- Class A3:For taxis, paid transportation vehicles for schoolchildren, ambulances or vehicles for public and private transportation of people, without limitation of seating capacity.
- Class A4:for cargo transportation with a gross weight greater than 3,500 kilograms.
- Class A5:to drive cargo vehicles, simple or articulated, whose gross weight exceeds 3,500 kilograms.
Non-professionals
- Class B: for motorized vehicles with three or four wheels for private transport of people with a capacity of up to 9 seats or cargo whose vehicle weight is up to 3,500 kilograms. They may also tow a trailer whose weight does not exceed that of the power unit and whose combined weight does not exceed 3,500 kilograms. Example: cars, trucks, vans, vans.
- Class c: for vehicles with 2 or 3 wheels with fixed or added motor. Example: motorcycles, scooters.
Specials
- Class D:for automotive machinery such as tractors, mechanical shovels and others.
- Class E:animal-drawn vehicles.
- Class F:to drive motorized vehicles of the Armed Forces, Police and Firefighters.
Driver’s license cost
In addition to the cost of photographs, municipalities generally charge:
- Class B: 0.51 UTM
- Class A: 0.36 UTM
Driving license validity period
- Non-professional licenses (B and C) have a duration of 6 years.
- Professional licenses have a duration of 4 years.
- The special licenses have a duration of 6 years.
However, these periods may be restricted for special reasons such as the use of glasses and others.
Offices to obtain a driver’s license
The driver’s license is obtained at the traffic direction of the municipalities empowered to take the exam.
See more information in the corresponding municipality.