Getting a Driver's License in Ecuador

Getting a Driver’s License in Ecuador

The topic of driver’s licenses has been a recurrent topic in the last months. At EcuaAssist, we have had clients that have exchanged their license obtained abroad for an equal Ecuadorian driver´s license, as well as those who have obtained theirs for the first time.

Since January 11th, 2016, the requirement of having to take to driving course for about three weeks and then pass theoretical and practical tests was eliminated. Now the law gives Ecuadorian and foreign drivers two options, among others, which are described below:

EXCHANGE OF LICENSE:

Bringing a certificate proving that you already having a driver’s license in your country of origin. This document must be duly apostilled for it to be valid in the exchange process. The advantage of this process is that the person does not have to do the driving test; further down, I will explain how it is related to the second option of the process, which is to obtain a license in Ecuador. The requisites are the following:

Requisites:

18 years old or older
Knowing how to write and read in Spanish
Original and copy of cedula (Ecuadorian citizenship card)

Original and copies of Passport and visa

Original and copy of foreign license
Certificate of having a valid license duly apostilled.
Two current color Passport size photos.
Original of the blood type certificate from institutes approved by the Health Ministry of Ecuador (You can find all the Ecuadorian Red Cross contacts in Ecuador at the following address: http://www.cruzroja.org.ec/index.php/contact-us#!/catid=1)
Pass the psycho-sensometric test
Pass the theoretical exam in Spanish:
take the 20 questions exam: go to the ANT website at http://www.ant.gob.ec and download the “banco de preguntas” to study for the test (http://www.ant.gob.ec/index.php/component/content/article/36-servicios/servicios-en-linea/1096-banco-de-preguntas#.VrPEgvkrLIW) and to make an appointment;
there is also an online 20 question test simulator that you can use to practice for the exam;
the questions are in Spanish but EcuaAssist can provide you with a list of the test questions in English: http://www.ecuaassist.com/#!driving-test/c1q77.
License exchange Form (available at www.ant.gob.ec: http://www.ant.gob.ec/index.php/descargable/file/1891-formulario-art-10).

Payment of the exchange fee 135USD
Note 1: The psycho-sensometric test it is done at a driving school accredited by ANT, and it checks the reflexes and coordination of people. Normally, this exam costs USD 20.

Note 2: The theoretical exam is taken at the National Transit Agency, and assistance from any person during the exam is forbidden.

Process:

Payment of the form at an authorized payment center, the amount to be paid is 135USD;
Make an appointment on the ANT Webpage;
Your number will be called by a machine;
Proceed to the counter that will be designated to you so they can update your information and do the vision test;
Take the theoretical exams, in the case of failing it the first time you must go back after 8 days. If you fail a second time, you can go back in two months. If you fail a third time, you have to do everything all over again after 3 months;
License delivery.

DRIVER’S LICENSE TYPE B FOR FOREIGNERS WITH A VISA OVER 90 DAYS

Requirements

18 years old or older;
Knowing how to write and read in Spanish;
Original and copy of cedula (Ecuadorian id);
Original and copies of Passport and visa;
Two current color Passport size photos;
Original of the blood type certificate from institutes approved by the Health Ministry of Ecuador;
Pass the psycho-sensometric test;
Pass the theoretical exam in Spanish;

Note 1: The psycho-sensometric test it is done at a driving school accredited by ANT, and it checks the reflexes and coordination of people. Normally, this exam costs USD 20.

Note 2: The theoretical exam is taken at the National Transit Agency, and assistance from any person during the exam is forbidden.

Note 3: The practical exam must be taken at a driving school to show that the person knows how to drive. Due to the fact that must of the vehicles in Ecuador have a manual gearbox, it is almost impossible to find a driving school that allows the test on an automatic vehicle. The psycho-sensometric and practical exam can be taken the same day and the cost is 42USD. After 8 days, you can go to the ANT office to take the theoretical exam.

Process:
Payment of the form in the authorized payment centers, the amount to be paid is 65 USD;
Make an appointment on the ANT Webpage;
Your number will be called by a machine;
Proceed to the counter that will be designated to you so they can update your information and do the vision test;
Take the theoretical exams, in case of failing it the first time you must go back after 8 days. If you fail a second time, you can go back in two months. If you fail a third time, you have to do everything all over again after 3 months;
Get picture taken;
License Delivery.