If you are visiting Bolivia, bring an international driving permit (IDP) from your home country. Bolivia's 1973 Traffic Code says a permit issued abroad "will be admitted in Bolivia" once the holder proves their identity (article 119). If you live here, you can exchange a valid foreign license for a Bolivian one at SEGIP (Servicio General de Identificación Personal, the national ID and licensing agency). On November 10, 2026, SEGIP's fee page lists Bs225 (about USD19) for a car or professional license and Bs80 (about USD7) for a motorcycle, plus a Bs50 (about USD4) medical exam.
All dollar figures in this story use the Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB, the central bank) official rate in force on November 10, 2026: Bs11.75 per US dollar, from its 2026 rates table. The rate changes every business day; see our guide to Bolivia's official dollar rate or the Official dollar today tool (in Spanish).
Who issues driving licenses in Bolivia
Not the traffic police. Law 145 of 2011 moved licensing to a civilian service, and SEGIP runs it today. That law also gives the licensing service the power to issue international driving permits.
The police still play a role: Tránsito (the traffic police unit), FELCC (the criminal investigation force) and FELCN (the anti-narcotics force) issue the background certificates that SEGIP asks for. You can also get them online through Estado Digital CUDAP, a Ministry of Government platform.
Visiting: driving on a foreign license
The Traffic Code covers international permits in articles 118 to 120:
- An international permit "authorizes driving vehicles in foreign territory" (article 118).
- One issued abroad is admitted in Bolivia after the holder is identified (article 119), so carry your passport with it.
- It does not let you work in Bolivia as a professional driver (article 120).
We found no official SEGIP rule that says how long a visitor may drive on a foreign permit, or whether a national license alone is enough without an IDP. Because the Code only mentions the international permit, carry one alongside your home license.
Driving without a license is a first-degree offense under article 140 of the Code. Driving without carrying your license is a third-degree offense under article 142.
Can a tourist get a Bolivian license?
No. Every SEGIP procedure for foreigners asks for a valid Cédula de Identidad de Extranjero (CIE), the ID card that Law 145 reserves for foreigners with legal residence. A tourist on a passport stamp does not have one.
Exchanging a foreign license as a resident
SEGIP calls the exchange homologación (in everyday speech, canje). According to its requirements page, you need:
- Your valid foreign license, original and copy, with an official translation when needed.
- Your valid CIE (or Bolivian ID card if naturalized), original and copy.
- For foreigners, a document from the Dirección Nacional de Migración (the immigration service) showing permanent or indefinite residence, original and copy.
- A medical certificate from a SEGIP-authorized medical center, Bs50.
- Payment of the fee for the Bolivian category: Bs225 for P, A, B and C, Bs80 for M.
The general exchange list does not include a driving school certificate or a driving test. SEGIP warns that the final cost and the validity of the new license can vary according to agreements with your country.
Argentina
Argentine residents exchange in person at a SEGIP licensing office (procedure):
- Bring a signed written request to SEGIP with your email and a WhatsApp number, a copy of your valid Argentine license and your CIE.
- SEGIP verifies the license with Argentina. This bilateral check can take up to 2 months.
- When SEGIP contacts you, return to the same office with your CIE, the original Argentine license, the medical certificate (about Bs50) and proof of payment: Bs80 for M and T, Bs225 for the rest.
Chile
Chilean residents start by email (procedure):
- From a personal email account, send SEGIP photos of both sides of your Chilean license and your CIE (four photos), stating your department and municipality.
- If approved, SEGIP tells you which office to visit. If not, it explains why and closes the request.
- Before going, get a medical certificate (Bs50) and a psychological certificate (Bs30) at an authorized center and pay the license fee at a bank or by Banco Unión QR.
- Bring the originals of all four documents to the assigned office.
Your Chilean license must be valid. If it has expired, renew it in Chile first or apply for a new Bolivian license as a foreign resident.
Categories and equivalents
| Bolivian category | Vehicles | Argentina | Chile | SEGIP fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | Motorcycles | A.1, A.2.1, A.2.2 | C | Bs80 (USD7) |
| P | Private vehicles | B.1 | B | Bs225 (USD19) |
| A (professional) | Passenger transport, up to 8 seats | D.2 | A1 | Bs225 (USD19) |
| B (professional) | Minibuses and trucks up to 6 tons or 25 passengers | D.2 / C | A2, A4 | Bs225 (USD19) |
| C (professional) | Heavy trucks and tankers over 6 tons | D.3 / C | A3, A5 | Bs225 (USD19) |
Vehicle descriptions and Argentine equivalents come from SEGIP's Argentina page; Chilean equivalents from its Chile page, both checked on November 10, 2026.
Getting a new license as a foreign resident
Residents without a valid foreign license apply like Bolivians, with their CIE instead of a Bolivian ID. SEGIP asks for:
- Minimum age: 18 for P and M, 21 for A and T.
- Medical certificate (Bs50). Centers upload it at the end of the day, so go to SEGIP the next day.
- Driving skills certificate from a SEGIP-authorized driving school. Schools set their own prices.
- Background certificates from Tránsito, FELCC and FELCN.
- Fee: Bs225 for P and A, Bs80 for M and T.
The license expires together with your CIE. Foreign residents can only move up to B and C by gradual promotion: five years in the previous category, with minimum ages of 26 for B and 31 for C.
What it costs in total
Official fees only, as published on November 10, 2026. Driving schools and background certificates are not included because they have no fixed official price.
| Procedure | Fee | Exams | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange, category P (general or Argentina) | Bs225 | Bs50 | Bs275 (USD23) |
| Exchange, category P (Chile) | Bs225 | Bs50 + Bs30 | Bs305 (USD26) |
| Exchange, category M (general or Argentina) | Bs80 | Bs50 | Bs130 (USD11) |
| New license P for a resident | Bs225 | Bs50 | Bs275 (USD23) |
Pay the license fee at an authorized bank, as SEGIP's payment page explains, not to intermediaries. SEGIP's toll-free line is 800 101 102.
FAQ
Can I drive in Bolivia with my US, UK or EU license? The Traffic Code only mentions admitting an international driving permit issued abroad. Carry an IDP with your national license and passport.
Do I need to take a driving test to exchange my license? SEGIP's exchange requirements list a medical exam (plus a psychological one for Chileans), not a driving school certificate or road test.
How long does the exchange take? For Argentina, SEGIP says validation can take up to 2 months. For Chile, it depends on email response times, which SEGIP says it does not control.
When does a Bolivian license issued to a foreigner expire? On the same date as your CIE, according to SEGIP.
If you plan to buy and register a car, see our guides to mandatory SOAT insurance and importing a used car (both in Spanish).
