• Original and copy of personal identity card (valid, without damage to the plastic or seal, with readable data and photograph).
• Present the physical license to be homologated (valid, without damage to the plastic/seal, with readable data and photograph, complying with the document’s security features).
• Present the certification of the foreign license and comparison: these requirements must be issued by the entity that issued the driver’s license or by the Consulate/Embassy/Diplomatic Representation of the country of origin of the driver’s license in Panama / Friendly Embassy of the country of origin of the driver’s license in Panama.
  • Foreign license certification: This is the document that certifies the validity of the license to be homologated; it must contain the following information:
    • The term “certifies” or “declares.”
    • Name of the authorized person responsible for validating the information.
    • Name of the user, identity document number, license number to be validated, as well as the issue and expiration dates.
    • Place or country of issuance of the driver’s license.
    • Description of the valid vehicle categories.
    • Seal and fresh signature of the issuer.
  • Comparison of the foreign license: a true copy of the original license certified on both sides (front and back), with seal and fresh signature.
• Authentication of the certification and comparison signatures: the authenticity of the certification and comparison signatures can be verified by one of these methods:
  • Apostille: if the country is a signatory to the Hague Convention.
  • Consular endorsement: certify the signatures at the Panama Consulate/Embassy in the country of origin of the driver’s license and then present it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama (Dept. of Authentication and Legalization of Documents).
  • Diplomatic Mission: Certify the signature of the person in the diplomatic mission in Panama at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama (Dept. of Authentication and Legalization of Documents).
• Present blood type and RH factor result if the driver’s license to be homologated does not specify this. The result must be issued by one of the clinical laboratories authorized by the Technical Council of Public Health of the Minsa. (It must indicate the full name of the user, identity card number, with a fresh seal and signature from the laboratory technician).
• If any of the categories to be homologated corresponds to category D in Panama (light trucks up to eight (8) tons and private buses up to sixteen (16) passengers), you must present a negative result for the consumption of marijuana and cocaine by the Technical Council of Public Health of the Minsa (It must indicate the full name of the user, identity card number, with a fresh seal and signature from the laboratory technician). [Requirement by Law 146 of April 15, 2020, starting May 15, 2020].
  • Any laboratory result for drug consumption has a validity period of six (6) months from the issue date.
• Perform visual and auditory validation at the branch according to the procedure established by the A.T.T.T. Sertracen Branches
• License issuance fee Costs of license
• You must be up to date with the A.T.T.T.
• Persons with hearing disabilities must present a medical diagnosis issued by an ENT specialist and an audiometry exam no older than 6 months (from the issue date). It should include the full name, identity number (ID or passport), signature, and fresh seal of the issuer, along with the exam results. With this documentation, the person with hearing impairment will not need to take the auditory test. Note: Disability cards from SENADIS and the Ministry of Health are not accepted, as they are only valid for economic benefits and medical attention, respectively.

Important:

• Persons aged 85 and above must take the practical driving test according to the category(ies) of their license to be homologated.
• Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pensioners, or retirees may request their service without an appointment.
• Persons aged 70 and above can apply for a driving license with a validity of two (2) years. Additionally, they must present a certificate of physical and mental health issued by a specialist in internal medicine or geriatrics, which must be no older than 6 months. The document must have the full name, identity number, and fresh seal and signature of the doctor.
• The procedure applies to all branches nationwide with an appointment.
• Public notaries do not authenticate the legality of documents, so documents issued by them are not acceptable for the homologation process.
• Payment must be made at the branch where the procedure is completed.
  • You can pay in cash, with a credit or debit card at the A.T.T.T. counters inside the Sertracen branches. Also, you can pay online or at ATMs once the operator gives you the control number for your new procedure in case of ATM payment.
• Names, surnames, and document numbers must match in all submitted documents. If there are discrepancies, additional documents will be requested to verify the person’s identity.
• All documents must be valid, in good condition, undamaged, with readable data and photographs, and comply with security guidelines. (This applies to all requirements).
• All documentation in languages other than Spanish must be translated and stamped by an authorized interpreter in Panama (with fresh seal and signature).
• The issuance of the driver’s license is subject to compliance with the traffic regulations and the validity of all requirements at the time of document printing.
• If there is an active payment arrangement, the validity of the driver’s license will depend on the clause established with the A.T.T.T.
• You must not have accumulated more than fifty (50) points on your driving record at the time of applying for the procedure. (Requirement by Law 146 of April 15, 2020, starting May 15, 2020).
• Once the procedure has started, it must be completed at the same branch.
• Driving permits for minors and international licenses are not homologated.
• Homologation of a foreign license is allowed only once and must be requested when applying for a Panamanian driver’s license for the first time.
• Public transport categories are not applicable for the foreign license homologation process; article 113, paragraph b.1 requires “Being Panamanian.”

Original and copy of the migration card (valid, without deterioration in the plastic or seal, with readable data and photograph). If you have a permanent resident permit (identity card E), you must present the original and a copy of the personal identity card (valid, without deterioration in the plastic and seal, with readable data and photograph).
• Original passport according to the nationality described in the migration card.
• Present the physical license to be homologated (valid, without deterioration in the plastic/seal, with readable data and photograph, meeting the document’s security features).
• Present the valid foreign driving license certification and verification: these requirements must be issued by the licensing authority or by the Consulate/Embassy/Diplomatic Mission of the country of origin of the driving license in Panama / Friendly Embassy of the country of origin of the driving license in Panama.
o Certification of the foreign license: it is the document that certifies the validity of the driving license to be homologated; it must contain the following information:
– The term “certifies” or “declares.”
– Name of the autonomous person responsible for validating the information.
– Name of the user, identity card number, license number to be validated; as well as the issue and expiration date.
– Place or country of issue of the driving license.
– Describe the valid vehicle categories.
– Seal and fresh signature of the person issuing the certification.
o Verification of the foreign license: it is a true copy of the original certified driving license (front and back) with a fresh seal and signature.
• Authentication of the certification and verification signatures: the authenticity of the signature of the certification and verification can be certified by any of these methods:
– Apostille: if the country is a signatory to the Hague Convention.
– Consular endorsement: certify the signatures at the Consulate / Embassy of Panama in the country of origin of the driving license, and then present it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama (Dept. of Authentication and Document Legalization).
– Diplomatic Mission: Certify the signature at the Diplomatic Mission in Panama at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama (Dept. of Authentication and Document Legalization).
• Present blood type and Rh factor result if the driving license to be homologated does NOT describe them. The result must be issued by one of the clinical laboratories authorized by the Technical Council of Public Health of Minsa. (It must indicate the user’s full name, passport or permanent resident number (identity card E) for foreigners, with the laboratory technician’s fresh seal and signature).
• If any of the categories to be homologated corresponds to category D in Panama (Light trucks up to eight (8) tons and private buses up to sixteen (16) passengers), a negative result for the use of narcotics (marijuana and cocaine) from the Technical Council of Public Health of Minsa must be presented. (It must indicate the user’s full name, passport, or permanent resident number (identity card E) for foreigners, with the fresh seal and signature of the laboratory technician). [Required by law 146 of April 15, 2020, it takes effect starting May 15, 2020].
Any laboratory result for drug use has a validity period of six (6) months from the date of issuance of the document.
• Perform visual and auditory validation at the branch, according to the procedure established by A.T.T.T. https://www.sertracen.com.pa/sucursales/
• Cost of the driving license process https://www.sertracen.com.pa/costos-de-licencia/
• You must be clear with A.T.T.T.
• Persons with hearing disabilities must present a medical diagnosis issued by an ENT doctor and an audiometry exam with a validity of no more than six months (from the date of issuance). It must have the full name, identity number (identity card or passport), and the fresh signature and seal of the issuer of the diagnosis and exam result. With this documentation, the person with hearing disability will not need to perform the auditory validation. Note: the SENADIS disability card will not be accepted, as it is only valid for the economic benefits provided by law 134 of 2013. Also, the Ministry of Health disability card will not be accepted, as it is only for medical care in the Health system.

Important:

• Any person over the age of 85 must perform the practical driving test according to the category or categories of their license to be homologated.
• If elderly, disabled, retired, or pensioned, you can request an in-person appointment without prior appointment.
• Any person over the age of 70 may apply for a driving license, which will have a validity of two (2) years. Additionally, they must present a certificate of good physical and mental health issued by a specialist in internal medicine or geriatrics, which must have a validity of no more than six months. The document must have the full name, passport number, or permanent resident number (identity card E) for foreigners, with the fresh seal and signature of the doctor.
• The process applies at all national branches with an appointment.
• Public notaries do not authenticate the legality of a document, so documents issued by such officials are not accepted for the driving license homologation process.
• Foreigners registered under a limited immigration status may only apply for categories A, B, and C.
• Payment must be made at the branch where the process ends.

• You can make the payment in cash, with a credit or debit card at the A.T.T.T. counters within Sertracen branches. Also, by online banking or ATM, once the operator provides the control number for your new process if paying by ATM.
  • Names, surnames, and document number must match or be the same in all submitted requirements; if there is any difference in the data, backup documents will be requested to validate that it is the same person, and it will be subject to verification.
  • All documentation provided must be valid, in good condition, without deterioration, with readable data and photograph that meet security guidelines. (This applies to all requirements).
  • Any documentation in a language other than Spanish must be translated and sealed by an authorized interpreter in the Republic of Panama (with a fresh seal and signature).
  • For foreigners with temporary residency, the validity of the driving license is determined according to the expiration of the migration card or up to four (4) years, whichever comes first.
  • The issuance of the driving license is subject to compliance with the traffic regulations and that all requirements are valid at the time of document printing, except for the passport, which must be presented as per the nationality described in the migration card.
  • If you have an active payment arrangement, the validity of the driving license will depend on the clause established with A.T.T.T.
  • You must not have accumulated more than fifty (50) points in your driving history at the time of the process request. (Required by law 146 of April 15, 2020, starting from May 15, 2020).
  • Foreigners with a new document number: to process the driving license after any change in identity document (passport to passport, passport to identity card, identity card to passport, or identity card to identity card), records must be updated to the new number:
  – Vehicle registration (the vehicles you own must be updated)
  – Minor infractions (pending ones must be paid, and payment arrangements must be updated with the new document number)
  – Weights and dimensions (processes related to vehicles owned or linked to your name must be completed, i.e., the withdrawal of cards and payments).
  – Traffic courts (restrictions and police tickets must be resolved or updated to the new number).
  • Once the process has started, it must be completed at the same branch.
  • Driving permits for minors or international licenses are not homologated.
  • The homologation of a foreign license is allowed only once and must be at the time of requesting the first Panamanian driving license.
  • The homologation process does not apply to public transport categories, article 113 item b.1. which requires “being Panamanian.