Driver’s license in San José

How to book

First licenses, renewals and duplicates are only done with a booked day and time. You book by calling 4342 9000, Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 16:00. We didn’t find an online booking.

First time

According to the procedure page, updated on 12/07/2024:

• ID card (cédula de identidad) and a photocopy.
• A physical fitness certificate from one of these institutions: UDEMM, Asociación Médica de San José, Círculo Católico, Hospital Evangélico, Médica Uruguaya, Gremca, Casmu or Sociedad Universal.
• Proof that you live in the department: an OSE, UTE or Antel bill, the police residence certificate, the department’s voter ID (credencial cívica) or a notarial certificate.
• For B and H, the health card (carné de salud) and a photocopy. The Intendencia’s frequently asked questions ask for it for G3, B, C, D, E, F and H.
• For G1, if you’re a minor, your mother and father or your guardians come with you, with their ID card and a photocopy.

Every category has a theory test, studied with the Guía Nacional de Conducción, and a practical test. You go to the practical test with a companion who holds the same category or a higher one. The vehicle is inspected before entering the track and the SOA (compulsory motor insurance) is checked.

1. Book a day and time at 4342 9000.
2. Go to the office on the booked day with the documents. They give you a document that starts the procedure, which you pay at a payment network (red de cobranza).
3. Take the theory and practical tests.

The procedure page says that, once booked, you can pay the start of the procedure through SUCIVE before you go. The frequently asked questions say you can also pay on the Intendencia’s website, under Atención al Ciudadano, Permiso de Conducir; we didn’t find that section on the current site.

Renewal

According to the renewal page, updated on 12/07/2024:

• A valid ID card and the previous license.
• The medical certificate. The frequently asked questions ask for the physical fitness certificate from the same institutions as the first time.
• For professional categories (G3, B, C, D, E, F and H), a valid health card.
• Expired more than 2 years ago, you take the theory and practical tests.
• From age 75, the endorsement from your health provider and from the Intendencia’s doctor that you’re fit to drive, and a practical test booked by phone, with a companion licensed for that vehicle and with no fines. You sign up for the Intendencia’s doctor at 4342 9000, and on the booked day you go with both certificates.

In the municipalities, renewals are done on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Municipio Ciudad de Rodríguez, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Municipio Ecilda Paullier.

Duplicate

For theft or loss, in every category, the duplicate asks for your ID card and a photocopy and the police report. If the license had expired or was issued before October 2016, also the medical certificate; professional licenses also need the health card and a photocopy. Expired more than 2 years ago, you take the theory and practical tests. It’s in person only, with a day and time booked at 4342 9000.

Cost

According to the pages updated on 12/07/2024 (first time and renewal) and 08/09/2023 (duplicate). The renewal page notes that the price may vary with medical conditions or the length of validity, without saying by how much. The value of the UR each month is published by the DGI.

Offices

Monday to Friday, 9:15 to 14:45, according to the procedure pages. The Dirección General de Tránsito’s page says 9:00 to 15:00.

For Ciudad del Plata, the renewal page says km 28.8. The Dirección General de Tránsito also answers at [email protected].

The categories and their validity by age, the same across the country, are on the driver’s license page.