Can you drive on your home licence?
Visitors can generally drive on a valid foreign licence (often alongside a passport showing legal entry) for a limited period. Once you become a resident, you’ll typically need to convert to a Panamanian licence.
Getting a Panamanian licence
New residents usually convert their existing licence rather than starting from scratch. The process commonly involves a certified translation of your foreign licence, a blood-type test, a basic medical/vision check and paperwork at the licensing authority (SERTRACEN). Requirements change, so confirm the current list before you go.
What driving is actually like
- City traffic in Panama City is heavy and assertive; give yourself time.
- Rural roads can be excellent or rough, with occasional potholes, livestock and unlit stretches at night.
- Rainy season brings sudden downpours and flooding on low roads.
Practical tips
Keep documents in the car, avoid driving unfamiliar rural roads after dark, and consider a vehicle with decent clearance if you’ll explore the interior. For residency steps that pair with this, see our residency guide.
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