Before you start

Valid foreign driving licence
Residency card
Blood-type certificate from an authorised laboratory
Official Spanish translation, if applicable

Step-by-step

1
Drive on your foreign licence while a visitor
Valid for the period of your authorised stay. Carry it with your passport.
In personWho: You
2
Obtain a blood-type certificate
Panama requires this for licensing, from an authorised laboratory. It surprises everyone and is quick and cheap.
In personWho: You
3
Get your licence translated if it is not in Spanish
An official translation is required, and some nationalities also need authentication of the licence through their embassy.
In personWho: You
4
Apply at the ATTT
Submit your licence, translation, residency card, passport and blood-type certificate, and complete the sight and medical checks on site.
In personWho: You
5
Receive your Panamanian licence
Issued without a practical test for most existing foreign licence holders where the categories correspond.
In personWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Foreign driving licence
Official Spanish translation
Residency card
Passport
Blood-type certificate
Sight and medical check

Things most newcomers don’t know

The blood-type certificate is a genuine, mandatory requirement.

It catches every newcomer. Get it from an authorised laboratory before your ATTT visit — turning up without it means coming back another day.

Source: ATTT licensing requirements

The metro means you may not need to drive at all.

Panama City has the only metro in Central America and it works well. Combined with cheap ride-hailing, many residents in the central corridors never buy a car.

Source: community-reported

Some nationalities need embassy authentication of the licence.

Beyond translation, certain countries' licences must be authenticated through their embassy in Panama. Check your own case before assuming a translation suffices.

Source: ATTT documentary requirements

Driving standards outside the city require adjustment.

Rural roads, unlit stretches and unpredictable overtaking are common on the interior highways. Locals avoid long inter-city drives after dark.

Source: community-reported

Common mistakes to avoid

Arriving at the ATTT without a blood-type certificate.
Assuming a translation is enough when your nationality also requires embassy authentication.
Buying a car before testing whether the metro covers your commute.
Driving the interior highways at night.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

Make it your personal checklist

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