can we still transfer our out of country drivers licenses to panamanian ones in David? at sertracen? Can someone tell me what the process is? I have until the end of June. that will be when my 90 days is up.
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With a little study of the sample questions for the exam and a few bucks to a "fixer" to acquire a driving school certificate, you can do everything in David. I don't think the driving schools think they are taking much risk because you already have a license. The test is by computer and has only ten questions, of which seven need to be answered correctly. The study guide has over ninety questions. There is a simple test of parking parallel and head-in in a parking space near Sertracen. Anyone over the age of 70 also needs a letter from a doctor of internal medicine or a geriatric doctor.
This is how my husband did this. No cross country trip to PC. I was able to get mine only because I was in PC but what a hassle! It may be different but doesn’t sound like much has changed.
He paid a courier service to take care of what I believe Judy is explaining - back to PC after authentication of the US DL done here when the Embassy is here - take advantage of it!
Then you go to David and take the driver’s test. Eyes, hearing, and a few simple signs is all that I believe is required.
One warning - when you cannot get mail delivered to your home, be aware that a Panamanian DL is valid for 4 years only. That was something that I never considered until I looked at my License! While my US license is fine for a long time, the one here needed to be renewed more frequently than I anticipated!
Hope this helps and backs up what Judy says - we are “seasoned” residents - Judy has been here longer than us but we have over 6 years of living here full time.
Just to clarify previous responses, the apostille of the U.S. license must be done in person, either at the Embassy or at an Embassy community outreach. The following information comes from the Embassy website:
Click here
As a U.S. Warden in Boquete, I urge citizens to research questions of this nature at the Embassy website online and/or write for a formal response to panama-acs@state.gov. This avoids the risk in getting erroneous or confusing information from a public forum.
Agree completely Bonnie.
‘I always clarify what I say by stating “our experience”. If I did not do that, my fault.
Laws, how to work with the government systems, and the US embassy change all the time.
Good advice and I should stay out of a conversation that could be old news - and potentially incorrect.
Regards
Actually, Val, the experience you report is a legitimate one. I just wanted to clarify and expand on it. Most people who go to PC for the apostille move on to the next step, the Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That is, they do everything at the same time. But if you obtain your apostille here during an Embassy visit, the Panamanian Ministry part can be handled by courier.
Are you a resident or temporary resident of Panama now?
Everybody I know who did that had to go to Panama City. Do some searching on this site. I think it has been discussed. Here's what I found:
Yes, you DO have to go to the U.S,. Embassy (if you're a U.S. citizen) and get your current, valid, DL notarized. They speak English at the U.S. Embassy. If you're not a U.S. citizen you'll need to go to your own embassy and have this done. Note: Go to the Embassy outreach that is coming up. Thursday 14 June 2018, 10:00 AM until 03:00 PM. You can get it notarized there. Bring a certified check. They don't take cash or credit cards.
Next you go to the Panama Ministry of Foreign Affairs with your notarized papers. They speak Spanish here, but they deal with this paper work practically on a daily basis and they know what to do and how to do it. You can get through this knowing little more than "gracias."
Then you will go downstairs to Banco National and buy two stamps, timbres. Just like upstairs, they deal with this all the time and know what needs to be done.
You will go back to the ministry, usually the same day if you got your paperwork in to them before noon, and pick up the completed forms to which you will attach the stamps you purchased.
You can do the rest of it in David.
If your blood type isn't on your stateside DL you need to go to Hospital Chiriqui, Mae Lewis or any of a number of clinics and have your blood typed. This is REQUIRED.
Anyone who can't pass the visual and hearing tests shouldn't be on the road in the first place and not knowing Spanish won't hinder you in passing them.
When I got my license I spent no more than four hours dealing with the various authorities involved, compared to dealing with the DMV in Florida where it once took me nearly two full working days to renew my license.