Can I drive in Colombia with my foreign licence?

Yes, for your authorized stay, up to 6 months, with your valid original licence. After that you need a Colombian licence, or an exchange if your country has an agreement.

How much does a first-time licence cost?

It depends on the city and the driving school. Issuance fees are the smaller part (COP 82,800 in Medellín); the CEA course and CRC exam make up most of the cost.

How long is the licence valid?

For private vehicles, 10 years under 60, 5 years from 60 to 80, and 1 year over 80. For public service, 3 years under 60 and 1 year after.

Can a foreigner get a Colombian licence?

Yes, with a cédula de extranjería. You follow the same process: RUNT, CRC, CEA, exams and payment at the transit authority.

Vehicles & traffic

How do I get a Colombian driver's licence for the first time?

To get a licence you must be registered in RUNT, pass the medical exam at a driver assessment centre (CRC), take the course at a driving school (CEA) and pass the theory and practical exams. Then you pay the fees at your city's transit authority, which issues the licence. Costs vary by city and by driving school.

Go to the official Ministerio de Transporte, RUNT y organismos de tránsito site ↗

Independent guide by Colombia Move. Not a government website: the procedure itself is done on the official portal linked here.

Cost: Varies by city. For reference, Medellín charges COP 82,800 in issuance fees (Ministry, RUNT, licence card and issuance). The CRC exam and CEA course are paid separately and are the biggest cost. Check the current fee at your transit authority.
How long: Issuance at the transit authority can take about 2 hours (Medellín). The whole process depends on how long the CEA course takes. A private licence is valid 10 years if you're under 60.
Where: Ministerio de Transporte, RUNT y organismos de tránsito · In person
Last checked: October 1, 2026

Who needs it

Anyone who wants to drive in Colombia without a Colombian licence: from age 16 for private vehicles and 18 for public service. Resident foreigners past the period allowed with their foreign licence must also do it, unless they can exchange it under an agreement.

What you need

ID: cédula de ciudadanía or cédula de extranjería (tarjeta de identidad for minors).
Registration as an individual in RUNT, with fingerprint capture, at a transit authority.
Physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness certificate from an authorized CRC, uploaded to RUNT.
Driving aptitude certificate from an authorized CEA for the category (e.g. A2 motorcycle, B1 car), uploaded to RUNT.
Pass the theory and practical exams, be able to read and write, and have no unpaid traffic fines (SIMIT).

Step by step

1Register in RUNT with your ID at any transit authority or Ministry of Transport regional office.
2Take the medical exam at an authorized CRC; the result is reported to RUNT.
3Enrol at an authorized CEA, take the theory and practical classes for your category and sit the exams.
4Check on runt.gov.co that the CRC and CEA certificates are uploaded and that you have no unpaid fines.
5Pay the issuance fees and file the request at your city's transit authority, which issues the licence.

Tips and common mistakes

With a valid foreign licence you can drive during your authorized stay as a tourist or visitor, up to 6 months. Always carry the original licence and your passport.
If you're from Spain, Peru, South Korea, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay or Portugal, you can request an exchange (recognition) of your licence from the Ministry of Transport under Resolución 1244 of 2019, without taking the course.
Be wary of anyone offering a licence 'without exams': CRC and CEA certificates are logged in RUNT, and fake licences are caught at any checkpoint.
Pay any fines on SIMIT first: with outstanding tickets the transit authority won't issue your licence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive in Colombia with my foreign licence?: Yes, for your authorized stay, up to 6 months, with your valid original licence. After that you need a Colombian licence, or an exchange if your country has an agreement.
How much does a first-time licence cost?: It depends on the city and the driving school. Issuance fees are the smaller part (COP 82,800 in Medellín); the CEA course and CRC exam make up most of the cost.
How long is the licence valid?: For private vehicles, 10 years under 60, 5 years from 60 to 80, and 1 year over 80. For public service, 3 years under 60 and 1 year after.
Can a foreigner get a Colombian licence?: Yes, with a cédula de extranjería. You follow the same process: RUNT, CRC, CEA, exams and payment at the transit authority.

Official sources

Checked on October 1, 2026. Fees and requirements can change; the official site always wins.

Go deeper

Need a hand?

Find paperwork and legal help on Colombia Move

Independent providers help with appointments, translations and document prep. Contact them directly, with no commission. Never pay anyone who promises to skip official requirements.

Browse providers Offer this service for free

Marketplace activity