how to get a standard panama driver´s license as an expat in order to legally drive a car (light vehicle) in Panama
Bring your license with you to Panama Complete your residency (residency is required to acquire a license) Schedule an appointment with your country´s embassy/consulate to get your license authenticated (For example: If you are American, contact the US embassy in Clayton) Have it translated if required by a certified Panama translator. Get your authenticated license apostilled by the Ministry of Exterior Relations (your lawyer can assist if needed) Get blood type tests done (For example: Raly Laboratories) Set an appointment with Sertracen (Panama license department) Go for your appointment and take all required documents with you including your residency card, passport, blood tests, authenticated license. **Pensionados generally do not require appointments and can go directly to the Sertracen office. Sertracen agents will ask you to complete a visual and hearing test (takes approx 3 minutes) Pay $40 at the cash register Wait for your license to be issued (times vary from 15-30 minutes on average) Done. You can now legally drive in Panama.
First-time Driver's License » Sertracen Panamá
If you are 70 years or older, you must acquire a health clearance from a geriatric doctor confirming good mental and physical health. Your license is valid the same period as your residency. This means that you acquire your license immediately after you have acquired your temporary residency (which is valid for 6 months only), your license will have the same expiration date. So once you acquire your provisional or permanent residency, you also need to renew your license again to update the expiration periods. Once you have your cedula, you need to renew it again and then it will have a new expiration date which is generally 4 years. Licenses can be renewed online via the Sertracen website provided you have a camera/webcam and headphones to complete the tests and photo process. Payments can be completed online and the license can be shipped to your location. **If the website is offline or if you are experiencing technical issues, you can visit a Sertracen office directly and ask to renew your license. If you country does not have a local embassy/consulate, you will need to contact your nearest location. For example: South Africa´s nearest consulate is in Mexico. South Africans need to contact the representative (currently Mr Mantovani) and send documents for authentication, which is then shipped back to Panama to your location. All costs associated with the procedures are for the client´s account including authentications, translations, license cards and shipping. Additional requirements and/or documents may be required for persons applying for licenses for motorcycles or heavy equipment, hearing impaired individuals etc. Please be sure to confirm exact information and requirements.