Driver License in El Salvador

An El Salvador driver's licence lets you drive legally once you live there or hold its citizenship. Depending on your situation, you may get a new licence, exchange a foreign one, or use a temporary permit while you settle in.

We confirm which route applies to you, prepare the documents, book any test or appointment, and follow the file until the licence is issued. If you need to be there in person, we tell you before anything is filed.

How it works in El Salvador

These points come from SERTRACEN's foreign licence homologation page:

• Licences are issued through SERTRACEN and are valid for five years.
• To homologate a foreign licence, Salvadorans bring their DUI. Foreigners bring their NIT and a temporary residence card valid for more than three months, or a permanent residence card.
• The valid foreign licence must be apostilled (or authenticated, for non-Hague countries), with proof of blood type and a SERTRACEN eye test.
• The fee is US$57.82, you cannot have unpaid traffic fines, and the result is a Particular-class licence.

Rules and fees change, so we check the official source again before your application goes in.

Before you apply

• Check your current licence. Whether it can be exchanged depends on the country that issued it and whether it is still valid.
• Plan for an in-person step. Most authorities take a photo, signature, or eye test at the counter.
• Prepare translations. Licences in another language often need a certified translation.

Why applications get delayed

• A foreign licence that has expired or cannot be verified
• Names that do not match across the passport, ID, and licence
• Missing proof of address or residence
• Medical or eye test results that are out of date
• Unpaid fines or an earlier suspension that was not disclosed

We check each of these before the application goes in.

Related services

You can browse every El Salvador service, including passport renewal and police clearance. If you are applying for citizenship, see the El Salvador programme.

• A check of which El Salvador licence route applies to you
• A review of your passport, ID, and current licence
• Help with translations, medical or eye tests, and photos
• Booking of any test or appointment the authority requires
• Filing with the licensing authority
• Follow-up until the licence is issued

1. Brief. Tell us which licence you hold now and where you live.
2. Check and quote. We confirm the route (new, exchange, or temporary), list the documents, and send you the quote.
3. Documents. You send scans; we check them and arrange translations or certificates if needed.
4. Appointment. We book the test, eye check, or counter visit when one is required.
5. Filing. The application is lodged with the licensing authority.
6. Delivery. We track it until the licence is issued and tell you how to collect it.

You receive a quote before any filing starts. It separates the CitizenX fee from government charges, test and medical fees, translations, and courier costs. Those extras are added only when they apply, and only after you approve them.

Government fees change, so we confirm them with the licensing authority for your case before you sign.