Jim C. Says:
I’m going to visit Panama for a couple of months to tour around and check it out. Can I use my U.S. driver’s license there?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Jim,
Since you’re planning to visit for two months, I imagine you will be there technically as a tourist. Tourists can drive in Panama for up to 90 days, but there are some things to keep in mind.
If asked by a traffic police officer, you should be prepared to show your valid home country driver’s license and your passport—both the photo ID page and the page bearing your entry stamp—so officials can calculate how many days you have been in the country. If you don’t want to carry your passport around, at least photocopy the relevant pages and keep the copies in your purse or wallet.
And this is important: There are no exceptions to the 90-day driving rule.
Why is this particularly important?
In Latin America, not everything is by the book: Though Panama law stipulates the tourist stay is officially 90 days, the past years have seen tourism officials stamping passports (particularly of U.S., Canadian, and European citizens) with 180-day permits. This is despite the fact that the law has not been modified.
However, even if you get a 180-day stamp when entering Panama, that does not change the hard 90-day limit on driving.
Even if you apply for residence and are allowed to stay in Panama indefinitely—you cannot continue to drive on your home license. You can, however, visit the Autoridad de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre (Transit Authority, or ATTT) and apply for a local permit. The attorney processing your change of status will help you with this, as you’ll need to show proof that you are becoming a resident.
You can get more information about everything to do with Panama in our comprehensive Escape to Panama guide, available on the IL Bookstore here.
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