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Unfortunately, getting a driver’s licence in Ecuador isn’t as easy as just turning up to the issuing authority and transferring your existing licence. But, the process isn’t terribly painful either - once you know how...
I’ve covered the 3 main pathways most expats use to obtain their Ecuadorian driver’s licence below. There is also an Appendix at the end that includes useful law extracts and downloads.
Disclaimer: This is NOT legal advice. The laws in Ecuador at relatively elastic, so you may have a different experience. If you think this is complicated or have special circumstances, then I would suggest hiring a facilitator to help you through the process.
Before we dive into the 3 licence options, ask yourself:
You may be able to save yourself the hassle of getting a drivers licence.
If you’re on a visitors visa, then your existing drivers licence is valid to drive or rent a car, so you’re all set without an Ecuadorian licence.
As a holder of an Ecuadorian temporary or permanent residency visa, you can legally drive in Ecuador for 6 months upon entry. As it’s 6 months upon entry, my interpretation of this is that it resets every time you enter Ecuador.
So, if your lifestyle has you leaving the country every 6 months, I don’t see any legal requirement for you to get an Ecuadorian licence.
I’ve looked through the transport laws and I can’t see anything that obliges a temporary or permanent resident to get their licence within a certain time period within the granting of their visa.
This covers my personal situation. Which meant for a long time I just kept putting off getting a local licence. I really couldn’t see the benefit of it.
I finally decided to get a licence simply because I thought it was time. More to do with belonging to my adopted homeland and building community than anything else.
The only real practical benefit for me is having easier conversations with traffic cops that decide to play around a little in an effort to extract some extra cash for themselves.
If you plan on staying inside Ecuador for more than 6 months at a time, then yes, you’ll need to get your licence in order to legally drive.
So, now you’ve worked out if you need a licence, let’s dive into the 3 different options.
This is the easiest option in that it allows you to bypass the practical driving components.
But, it’s also the option that requires more planning because you need an apostilled copy of your foreign driving record - which takes time and money. And, then you need that translated and notarized by an authorized Ecuadorian entity.
The process for transferring an existing foreign licence to an Ecuadorian is:
Order an official driving record from your home country. Cost varies by country.
Have the driving record apostilled in your home country. Cost varies by country
Translate and notarize the apostilled driving record into Spanish by your closest Ecuadorian Embassy or an official translator (and notary) in Ecuador.
This isn’t listed as an official requirement in the official ANT documentation. But each of the driving schools we spoke to required some type of proof that you’ve passed high school (up to the 10th grade).
You can argue that it seems a little ridiculous that you’d be granted a licence in your home country if you didn’t have some level of education.
But remember, this rule applies to every foreigner applying for a licence, so they are trying to protecting themselves from an influx of drivers from countries that perhaps don’t have an education requirement.
You can satisfy this education requirement by providing:
In an ideal world, your level of education would be indicated on the back of your cedula. Driving schools generally accept Basica level or above.
Unfortunately, a common practice is for expats to be issued their first cedula with the Incicial level of education. Be very careful if this is you because Inicial is not sufficient to transfer your licence. You will be denied.
This happened to me. Even though I applied for the Professional Visa that requires a university level degree, my initial cedula still said Inicial.
My visa facilitator explained that it was done this way to expedite the issuing of the cedula. Waiting for SENESCYT to authorize my university degree would take a while. So, I could either have my cedula that day, or wait weeks/months for SENESCYT to authorize my degree and then have the proper education level printed on my cedula.
I opted to have the cedula that day. It turned out to be a good choice because it took around 6 months and many emails between my university, SENESCYT, my facilitator and myself to finally have my degree recognized with SENESCYT.
If you don’t have a cedula with the required level of education, you’ll need a diploma from your home country that has also been apostilled. The higher the better. But anything 10th grade or above should work.
You may also need to have this diploma translated into Spanish and notarized. You may already have this if you included it in your visa application.
You need a certificate showing your blood type. Many get this from the Red Cross for around $5.
You’ll need to contact an authorized driving school (list here) to complete this at a cost of around $20. This test covers reflexes, dexterity, vision and hearing. Most people don’t have a problem passing it.
Take evidence of your education and driving record with you as the driving school will need this.
Once you’ve got all of your documents, including original:
Then you can head on down to your closest ANT to obtain a payment slip and book an appointment for the multiple-choice test. Remember, you’ll likely need a few days to study for the test.
You can also generate the payment slip and appointment online, but you may have to wait longer for the appointment. Applying for this licence via the transfer option seems to be somewhat fast-tracked. But, this only happens if you apply in person (not online).
Take the payment slip generated at ANT to a bank so you can pay the $142. There’s probably banks within walking distance. Read our guide on transferring money into Ecuador if you’re unfamiliar with getting this.
At your test appointment you’ll need to undertake a multiple-choice test. You’ll need to answer at least 16 out of 20 correctly in order to pass.
The 20 questions are taken from a pool of more than 300 questions. We’ve included the multiple-choice questions below for you to download and study. When ready, you can complete practice tests at the ANT site.
Once you pass the test, you’ll be issued with your licence. Yay! This generally happens on the same day.
If you fail, you can book another appointment for 8 days. Go and study! If you fail a second time you can try again in 2 months. But, fail a 3rd time and they’ll make you start the process all over again. The psychosensometric exam certificate is only valid for 60 days.
The full list of documents for this type of licence (Canje) can be found on the official website and in the Appendix below.
Transferring is the best solution for those wanting the least amount of time at a driving school. But, the additional burden of the driving certificate from your home country requires a lot of organization.
This is the best option if you don’t want the hassle of getting your driving record certificate, and then having it apostilled, translated and notarized.
I chose this option precisely because I didn’t want to have to deal with this. I was already in Ecuador too, so sending this via DHL adds to the total cost.
The process for obtaining your licence through this option:
Either a cedula indicating Basica or above, or an apostilled diploma for year 10 or higher. See above section for full details.
You need a certificate showing your blood type. Many get this from the Red Cross for around $5.
Find an authorized driving school that will evaluate your ability to drive and provide you with a certificate. Some driving schools to start with are ANETA, Practi-Car & A Conducir (Cuenca)
Take originals of your evidence of education, blood type and ID to the school.
This is a fairly straight forward driving exam lasting 20-30 minutes. The driving school will take you in their car and provide instructions on what you need to. It’s likely the car will be manual, so I’d definitely check with the driving school if you only know how to drive an automatic.
This is the same as detailed above and includes reflexes, dexterity, vision and hearing. The combined cost of the practical driving and psychosensometric exams is around $47.
Once you’ve passed the two exams, the driving school will send the certificate within 2-3 days.
Once you have your certificate, the rest of the process is very similar to the transfer option.
Once you’ve got all of your documents, including original:
Then you can head on down to your closest ANT to obtain a payment slip and book an appointment for the multiple-choice test. Remember, you’ll likely need a few days to study for the test.
At ANT, you’re going to want to apply for the ‘Tipo B Primera Vez’ (Type B First Time).
The full official requirements are included in the Appendix below.
Take the payment slip generated at ANT to a bank so you can pay the $68 (it’s cheaper than the transfer licence).
Exactly the same testing process as detailed above. The only difference is that if you fail the test just once, then you will not be able to take it again. You’ll need to go to driving school.
Actually, if you fail any test throughout this process - driving, psychosensometric or multiple-choice, then you’ll need to go to driving school. This is the biggest downside of this approach. There are no second chances. So, make sure you’re comfortable driving with a stick and have studied the multiple-choice exam well.
If you pass, you’ll be issued with your brand new Ecuadorian licence. Congratulations.
This is the quickest and cheapest option if you're already in Ecuador. But, make sure you study for the multiple-choice test as there's no second chances.
This is generally the least preferred option because it requires a significant time commitment. The courses offered by each driving school vary a little, but you can expect something along the lines of:
Some schools also offer flexible arrangements to complete the course full time, part time or even weekends.
The courses include the psychosensometric exam and certificate of approval.
The cost will be around $170.
The full process for obtaining your licence through a driving school:
Either a cedula indicating Basica or above or an apostilled diploma for year 10 (or higher). See above section for full details.
You need a certificate showing your blood type. Many get this from the Red Cross for around $5.
Register with your driving school of choice. You should be able to make an initial enquiry online, but always best to phone them to confirm beforehand.
Take your Cedula, evidence of education, blood type certificate and a passport photo with you to the driving school.
Complete the full course (34 hours!) to obtain your certificate of approval and psychosensometric exam. Note, it can take 3-4 weeks for schools to send these documents to you.
Once you’ve got all of your documents, including original:
Then you can head on down to your closest ANT to obtain a payment slip and book an appointment for the multiple-choice test. Remember, you’ll likely need a few days to study for the test.
At ANT, you’re going to want to apply for the ‘Tipo B Primera Vez’ (Type B First Time).
The full official requirements are included in the Appendix below.
Take the payment slip generated at ANT to a bank so you can pay the $68 (it’s cheaper than the transfer licence).
Exactly the same testing process as detailed above.
If you fail, you can book another appointment for 8 days. If you fail a second time you can try again in 2 months. But, fail a 3rd time and they nay make you start the process all over again. The psychosensometric exam certificate is only valid for 60 days.
If you have the time and open to new experiences, the driving school option might be best for you.
Facepalm. No. Don’t do this. Morality issues aside, you can lose your licence and get fined. Or worse, have your permanent residency visa declined when it comes time to apply.
From the age of 18 you can apply for a licence. I’ve seen you can also apply for a ‘minor adult permit’ from the age of 16, but the driving school may require a significant guarantee.
The multiple-choice exam consists of 20 questions randomly pulled from the database of over 300 questions. You need to answer 16/20 correctly to pass.
The full list of questions can be downloaded here or accessed from the official ANT website. Note, the answers to each question are highlighted.
Once you’ve reviewed the questions a couple of times, I strongly recommend taking some online practice exams.
Good luck!
Article 137 says that:a) Tourist Visa: You can use your foreign licence for as long as your Ecuadorian visa is valid. Up to 6 months.
b) Residents: Migrants (ie temporary and permanent residents) can use your foreign licence for up to 6 months upon entry to Ecuador.
Print the below extract and keep in your car with you in case you need to argue your point with a police officer that is after a little ‘lunch money’.
Art. 137.- Los extranjeros que ingresen al país con visa de turista, o al amparo de cualquier visa de no inmigrante, podrán conducir con las licencias emitidas en sus países de origen, durante todo el plazo de estadía que su condición migratoria se lo permita, pero en ningún caso por más de seis meses contados desde su ingreso al país.
Los extranjeros que ingresen al país con visa de inmigrante, podrán también conducir con las licencias emitidas en sus países de origen, hasta por un plazo máximo de seis meses contados desde la fecha en que hubieren ingresado al país.
--- English translation ---
Art. 137.- Foreigners who enter the country with a tourist visa, or under any non-immigrant visa, may drive with the licenses issued in their countries of origin, during the entire period of stay that their immigration status allows, but in no case for more than six months from their entry to the country.
Foreigners who enter the country with an immigrant visa may also drive with licences issued in their countries of origin, for a maximum period of six months from the date they entered the country.
Download the full traffic regulations from ANT here or directly here.
The full list of schools authorized to conduct driver training for cars (type b) can be found at the official ANT website - or download directly here.
You’ll need to contact one of these to complete the required tests like Psychosensometric, practical driving test, or arrange a driving course.
The list of requirements for transferring a licence from your home country to an Ecuadorian one.
Canje de licencia de conducir extrajera por la ecuatoriana para ecuatorianos y extranjeros con visa superior a los 180 días
Requisitos:
Procedimiento:
Costo:
USD: 142,00
*El documento original extranjero no será retenido.
*La licencia será emitida por el plazo de vigencia de la visa o tiempo por el cual se ha otorgado el carné de refugiado.
*En caso de tener carné de refugiado, cancelar el valor del trámite en la cuenta corriente #7347243, del Banco del Pacífico.
*En caso de tener cédula de ciudadanía, la vigencia de la licencia será de acuerdo a este documento.
--- English translation ---
Exchange of a foreign driver's license for the Ecuadorian for Ecuadorians and foreigners with a visa greater than 180 days
Requirements:
Process:
Cost:
USD: 142.00
* The foreign original document will not be retained.
* The license will be issued for the period of validity of the visa or time for which the refugee card has been granted.
* In case of having a refugee card, cancel the value of the procedure in the current account # 7347243, of the Banco del Pacífico.
* In case of having a citizenship card, the validity of the license will be according to this document.
View directly on ANT website
The list of requirements when applying for a licence for your 1st time (not a transfer).
Licencias de conducir tipo B por primera vez
Requisitos:
* Única y exclusivamente se podrá emitir licencias por primera vez en la misma provincia donde el usuario realizó su curso de capacitación.
Procedimiento:
Costo:
USD 68,00
*En caso de ser persona natural extranjero deberá presentar el Certificado de haber culminado la educación básica, el mismo que deberá ser apostillado, traducido al español y notarizado.
Consideraciones:
--- English translation ---
Type B driver's licenses for the first time
Requirements:
* Only and exclusively licenses may be issued for the first time in the same province where the user completed his training course.
Process:
Cost:
USD 68.00
* In the case of being a foreign natural person, you must present the Certificate of having completed basic education, which must be apostilled, translated into Spanish and notarized.
Considerations:
View directly on ANT website
Hi Jason, thanks for putting this list together. I just wanted to check that a high school diploma is acceptable...that they don't require a transcript also. Honestly, I forget what my diploma looks like. Thanks.
Hey Marc, I don't believe they also require a high school transcript, but if you have it then it wouldn't hurt just in case. I suggest trying with just the diploma and if the driving school pushes you for a transcript then try a different driving school. Good luck! And Feel free to let us know how you go getting your licence.
Whoa! That's a lot to try to take in.
I have a complicated problem as my university degree (and high school diploma) has a different first name. I legally changed it to my use name of many years.
I now live in another country ... Just to make life simple.
Would you know if a university transcript only would be acceptable? It's from Sydney University, NSW; a well established place.
I have downloaded the sample questions. I will have a lot of time to study them before international travel resumes. Thanks for making those available!
Hmmm, that is a bit of a doozy Chey. What I can say is that it's up to the driving schools to enforce the education requirements. Some are less stringent than others...
If it was me, I'd be showing them my apostiled diploma (with different name) & my change of name certificate (also apostiled). Of course, if you're in a different country now and finding it hard to get an apostile from Australia, you can potentially try without and only if you can't find an understanding school, then go through and get everything apostiled and sent over from Australia.
Where are you currently at? International travel to Ecuador is currently possible.
PS - I know Sydney Uni well. I played a couple of seasons in their AFL team.
Thanks so much for the post, I really appreciate you taking the time to share the things you've learned. I've got a question regarding the driving record. Do you mean a driving record from the state where I hold my drivers license (ie, Texas) or is there such a thing as obtaining a driving record from all the years that I've driven?
Hi Clayton. Glad you're enjoying the content 🙂
Yes, the driving record from your relevant authority (ie Texas Department of Public Safety perhaps?). Don't forget to get it apostilled before sending it to Ecuador!
Thanks for the resource! Is the regular license sufficient for motorcycles, or will I need an additional motorcycle endorsement?
Hey Chris - yes, Michelle has gone through the motorcycle license process and it is a separate course. I also have a motorcycle licence from Australia, but I haven't got around to getting an Ecuadorian one. If you do get yours, please feel free to post back your experience.
Let me get this straight, if I have a temp or permanent visa here, and leave every 6 months, I am good to go with my Vermont license. How would some cop know how long I am here as I would not want to carry my actual passport for obvious reasons ? Do they really hassle you on this and would $20 make it go away ? Thanks for doing all this research. I do not plan to drive much but want to be on the right side of the law
If I choose option 1 (transfer), do I have to surrender my Georgia driver's license to the authorities here, or do I get to keep it?
Hi Stephen. I'm not aware of any rule that requires you to surrender a drivers licence in one country simply because you have one in another. That would be quite a logistical challenge to enforce even if they wanted to.