Get Your Drivers License in Panama FAST with These Insider Tips!
Are you thinking about driving in Panama but have no clue how to get a driver’s license? You’re not alone! It’s a question every expat asks at some point …and I’ve been through it myself. So, today, we’re breaking it ALL down—step by step. Whether you’re fresh off the plane or you’ve been living here for a while, getting your Panamanian driver’s license doesn’t have to be a headache. And guess what? I’ll even share some of my own funny experiences from when I first tackled the process!
Okay, let’s DRIVE right in! First, we need to cover the basics.
STEP 1 – Eligibility
First things first: can you even get a Panamanian driver’s license? If you’re here on a tourist visa, you can legally drive with your foreign license for up to 90 days. But if you’re planning on staying longer—like most of us expats do—you’re going to need that Panamanian license once your residency is processed. So, if you’re in the process of getting residency or you already have it, you’re eligible to apply for a license. Something to note though… if you have a temporary residency card that’s only valid for 6 months, your drivers license will only be valid for that same 6-month period.
STEP 2 – Authenticating Your Drivers License
Now comes the paperwork. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. You’ll need your passport, residency card, and a copy of your valid foreign driver’s license. But here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Your foreign license needs to be validated by your embassy in Panama. So if you’re an American, you need to go to the US Embassy. I remember thinking, ‘Oh, I’ll just swing by the embassy, get this done in 5 minutes, and grab a coffee after.’ Well, it turned into a half-day adventure… and an appointment must be scheduled well in advance. Also a heads-up if you’re an American… no food, or electronics are allowed in the US Embassy. This means no snacks, no phone, and no smart watch. If you want to know what time it is while you’re in the US Embassy waiting room, you have to wear an old-school analog watch. You’ll also need your passport to enter the embassy, as well as your driver's license.
STEP 3 – Authenticate the Authentication]
After you get your foreign license validated by the embassy, there’s one more step before you head to the motor vehicle office. You need to take the validated affidavit to the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Relations to have it further authenticated. Yes, you’re basically authenticating the authentication—welcome to Panama! There’s a small fee of $5, but you don’t pay this at the ministry’s office… you’ll need to pay it at the nearby Banco Nacional first, and then bring the proof of payment. Heads up: You’ll need an appointment. This step can take a day because they’ll likely tell you to come back later to pick up the documents. So be sure to plan enough time for this step.
STEP 4 – Medical Exam …But Only if You’re Over 70
If you’re 70 years old or older, Panama requires a doctor’s certification to prove you’re healthy enough to drive. This certification must come from either a Gerontologist or a Doctor of Internal Medicine. This is a specific requirement for older drivers, but if you’re under 70, you can skip this part. I’ve heard from friends that it’s a straightforward process, but here’s an Insider’s Tip…always double-check which doctors are approved to give you this certification before you make an appointment.
STEP 5 – Blood Test
Everyone, regardless of age, has to get a blood test before applying for a driver’s license. Make sure you get the test done at a certified clinic and, more importantly, that your results are stamped and certified! I had a funny--yet frustrating, experience with this. After my blood test, I went to Sertracen, which is the department of motor vehicles in Panama. I handed them my blood test results….only to find out I didn’t have the proper stamp on my form. That meant I had to leave Sertracen, return to the clinic, get the right stamp, and start the whole process again! So, learn from my mistake and double-check your test results for both a stamp AND a signature.
STEP 6 – Visiting Sertracen
After gathering all the documents you’ve had authenticated, as well as your original and a copy of your migration visa, you’re FINALLY ready for the main event—heading to Sertracen, Panama’s motor vehicle office. I highly recommend arriving early. Panama is laid-back, but the lines at Sertracen? Not so much! For information about getting your drivers license, go online to Sertracen.com.pa. However, to make an appointment, go to licencia.com.pa. Be sure to print out your appointment confirmation, as you’ll need to show it to get into Sertracen on the date of your appointment. Just a note…Senior citizens and individuals with disabilities do NOT require an appointment… but everyone else does.
Once at Sertracen, you’ll fill out some forms, present all of your documents, and go through the process of getting your photo and fingerprints taken. The best part? You don’t need to take a driving test if you’re transferring an existing foreign license. Phew! However, you will need to take a vision and hearing test. The first time I took my vision test, I was so nervous. Not because there is anything wrong with my eyes, but because you have to say what you see… and my Spanish was very bad. I had to look through this device that reminded me of a microscope and read the letters on a line. But I was so nervous that I literally forgot every single word of Spanish that I knew, and I ended up drawing the letters with my fingers on the counter. D-B-W…Thank goodness Panamanians have such a generous spirit, because this allowed me to pass … as the person who was conducting the test realized that even though my Spanish was bad, I could see.
The hearing and vision tests have become easier to take since then, since they are now administered via computer. Thank goodness!
STEP 7 – Payment and Pickup
After they have reviewed your documents and you’ve passed the hearing and vision test, it’s time to pay. The license fee is about $40 for a regular drivers license, and once you’ve paid, congratulations! You’re officially a licensed driver in Panama. They’ll give you your shiny new driver’s license right there, and you’re good to go. I remember holding mine like it was a trophy—it felt like such an accomplishment!
Now, here are a couple of quick tips to make your experience smoother: If you don’t speak much Spanish yet, I’d recommend bringing along a Spanish-speaking friend to Sertracen. You can also hire someone to help walk you through the process. Because I didn’t have anyone helping me… and I didn’t have a video like this to walk me through it… it took me 4 trips to Sertracen to get my first drivers license. That’s time I wasted that I can never get back. Also, although the staff at Sertracen are helpful, they typically don’t speak English. One final tip… keep an eye on your license’s expiration date. Panama’s driving licenses are typically valid for four years, but that can vary depending on your residency status.
Closing
And that’s it—easy-peezy, right? Okay, maybe not easy, but it’s definitely manageable, especially now that you know the steps. If you have questions, You can go to Serracen.com.pa and click on the British flag in the top right corner to get the English-version of the website. I hope this guide helps you feel more confident about getting your driver’s license in Panama. If you found this episode helpful, be sure to share it with other expats or friends thinking about making the move.
Thanks so much for tuning in. See you Panama!
Okay, let’s DRIVE right in! First, we need to cover the basics.
STEP 1 – Eligibility
First things first: can you even get a Panamanian driver’s license? If you’re here on a tourist visa, you can legally drive with your foreign license for up to 90 days. But if you’re planning on staying longer—like most of us expats do—you’re going to need that Panamanian license once your residency is processed. So, if you’re in the process of getting residency or you already have it, you’re eligible to apply for a license. Something to note though… if you have a temporary residency card that’s only valid for 6 months, your drivers license will only be valid for that same 6-month period.
STEP 2 – Authenticating Your Drivers License
Now comes the paperwork. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. You’ll need your passport, residency card, and a copy of your valid foreign driver’s license. But here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Your foreign license needs to be validated by your embassy in Panama. So if you’re an American, you need to go to the US Embassy. I remember thinking, ‘Oh, I’ll just swing by the embassy, get this done in 5 minutes, and grab a coffee after.’ Well, it turned into a half-day adventure… and an appointment must be scheduled well in advance. Also a heads-up if you’re an American… no food, or electronics are allowed in the US Embassy. This means no snacks, no phone, and no smart watch. If you want to know what time it is while you’re in the US Embassy waiting room, you have to wear an old-school analog watch. You’ll also need your passport to enter the embassy, as well as your driver's license.
STEP 3 – Authenticate the Authentication]
After you get your foreign license validated by the embassy, there’s one more step before you head to the motor vehicle office. You need to take the validated affidavit to the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Relations to have it further authenticated. Yes, you’re basically authenticating the authentication—welcome to Panama! There’s a small fee of $5, but you don’t pay this at the ministry’s office… you’ll need to pay it at the nearby Banco Nacional first, and then bring the proof of payment. Heads up: You’ll need an appointment. This step can take a day because they’ll likely tell you to come back later to pick up the documents. So be sure to plan enough time for this step.
STEP 4 – Medical Exam …But Only if You’re Over 70
If you’re 70 years old or older, Panama requires a doctor’s certification to prove you’re healthy enough to drive. This certification must come from either a Gerontologist or a Doctor of Internal Medicine. This is a specific requirement for older drivers, but if you’re under 70, you can skip this part. I’ve heard from friends that it’s a straightforward process, but here’s an Insider’s Tip…always double-check which doctors are approved to give you this certification before you make an appointment.
STEP 5 – Blood Test
Everyone, regardless of age, has to get a blood test before applying for a driver’s license. Make sure you get the test done at a certified clinic and, more importantly, that your results are stamped and certified! I had a funny--yet frustrating, experience with this. After my blood test, I went to Sertracen, which is the department of motor vehicles in Panama. I handed them my blood test results….only to find out I didn’t have the proper stamp on my form. That meant I had to leave Sertracen, return to the clinic, get the right stamp, and start the whole process again! So, learn from my mistake and double-check your test results for both a stamp AND a signature.
STEP 6 – Visiting Sertracen
After gathering all the documents you’ve had authenticated, as well as your original and a copy of your migration visa, you’re FINALLY ready for the main event—heading to Sertracen, Panama’s motor vehicle office. I highly recommend arriving early. Panama is laid-back, but the lines at Sertracen? Not so much! For information about getting your drivers license, go online to Sertracen.com.pa. However, to make an appointment, go to licencia.com.pa. Be sure to print out your appointment confirmation, as you’ll need to show it to get into Sertracen on the date of your appointment. Just a note…Senior citizens and individuals with disabilities do NOT require an appointment… but everyone else does.
Once at Sertracen, you’ll fill out some forms, present all of your documents, and go through the process of getting your photo and fingerprints taken. The best part? You don’t need to take a driving test if you’re transferring an existing foreign license. Phew! However, you will need to take a vision and hearing test. The first time I took my vision test, I was so nervous. Not because there is anything wrong with my eyes, but because you have to say what you see… and my Spanish was very bad. I had to look through this device that reminded me of a microscope and read the letters on a line. But I was so nervous that I literally forgot every single word of Spanish that I knew, and I ended up drawing the letters with my fingers on the counter. D-B-W…Thank goodness Panamanians have such a generous spirit, because this allowed me to pass … as the person who was conducting the test realized that even though my Spanish was bad, I could see.
The hearing and vision tests have become easier to take since then, since they are now administered via computer. Thank goodness!
STEP 7 – Payment and Pickup
After they have reviewed your documents and you’ve passed the hearing and vision test, it’s time to pay. The license fee is about $40 for a regular drivers license, and once you’ve paid, congratulations! You’re officially a licensed driver in Panama. They’ll give you your shiny new driver’s license right there, and you’re good to go. I remember holding mine like it was a trophy—it felt like such an accomplishment!
Now, here are a couple of quick tips to make your experience smoother: If you don’t speak much Spanish yet, I’d recommend bringing along a Spanish-speaking friend to Sertracen. You can also hire someone to help walk you through the process. Because I didn’t have anyone helping me… and I didn’t have a video like this to walk me through it… it took me 4 trips to Sertracen to get my first drivers license. That’s time I wasted that I can never get back. Also, although the staff at Sertracen are helpful, they typically don’t speak English. One final tip… keep an eye on your license’s expiration date. Panama’s driving licenses are typically valid for four years, but that can vary depending on your residency status.
Closing
And that’s it—easy-peezy, right? Okay, maybe not easy, but it’s definitely manageable, especially now that you know the steps. If you have questions, You can go to Serracen.com.pa and click on the British flag in the top right corner to get the English-version of the website. I hope this guide helps you feel more confident about getting your driver’s license in Panama. If you found this episode helpful, be sure to share it with other expats or friends thinking about making the move.
Thanks so much for tuning in. See you Panama!