Thread: Panamanian Drivers license problem. Need suggestions or advice.

My wallet was picked. I have a Florida drivers license. The Florida drivers license Dept website online says it will not mail my duplicate since it is a commercial license. That I must apply for it in person. The Panamanian license office says I can go to the consulate and get some kind of paperwork that verifies that I am license holder in Florida. I am not sure of all the details. Other than that I was told that I could attend a drivers school here in Panama and then apply for the license. Does anyone have any suggestions that would be helpful in this situation? I would like to purchase a small scooter but that will have to wait.

Can you replace the license without the "commercial" and get a regular Florida license?

Mary
Why Panama El Valle Retirement Living Abroad

I have not gotten thru to the state as my specific issue is not on the website. And, today was a holiday. I may be able to get them to send me a temporary license but they also mentioned that they do not send mail to PO Boxes. I may have to attend the drivers class here but I do not speak the greatest spanish. I will find out more as time goes on. Have you ever spoken to anyone who has gone to the drivers class?

I have never heard of anyone taking the driver's class here except Panamanian rich kids. I don't know of any expats taking the class. We just went and got a Panamanian driver's license with our U.S. driver's license.

Mary
Why Panama El Valle Retirement Living Abroad

The class costs about 90 bucks. I am afraid that I may not graduate. But, I will let the forum know what happens with this new challenge.

I took the class at Driver's Center in El Cangrejo (opposite the wine bar). It was $60 and no big deal. Starts at 3 first day, then from 4-7 so 9-10 hours in total.

You have to take a written test and get 7/10 or better at Sertracen. You also need to drive the scooter around some cones.

It might be that you have to take the SAME class twice, one for motorcycle and one for car. As you may know by now, retardation rules here.

The complete disconnect between the class material and reality on the street was amazing!!!

The effort felt to be about the same as translating my license and getting one without the classes.

I checked on the school today. Most of you will not need this info cause hopefully you will not lose your license. The school in Las Tablas for driving a car costs 185 dollars and they have cars to use. Apparently the price is much less than the cost for the same school in Chitre. The motorcycle class is a separate class and costs 85 dollars. I will have to provide the scooter to take the test. The school will also assist with the rest of steps in getting the actual license. The cost of the license will be 40 dollars and will be good for 4 years. Yes, a pain in the butte. But, the benefits of having the scooter to use will outweigh to trouble in the long run. Scooters are very cheap and practical here in the interior of the country, especially for those trips to the beach(no bus service).

Question,

I have a Costarican Driver's License, and permanent Residence.

Can I get a Panama license without having to take the test etc.

When I went to CR, I showed the my GBR license and Costa Rica just gave me one.

Now my British license has expired, and is nolonger valid.

Thanks for anb info

You need some kind of permanent residency in order to apply for a drivers license. If you are here on a tourist visa you shouldn't need a license. You should be able to use the Costa Rican license I would think.