- Home
- Living in Paraguay
- Driving on a foreign licence
Foreign driving licences in Paraguay: 3-month rule and local application
Short answer
Law 5016/2014 recognizes a valid foreign driving licence for up to 3 months from entry into Paraguay, for the vehicle category it covers. If you plan to drive longer, check which municipal licence fits your residence and immigration status. Paraguay's «Extranjero» category lasts 1 year and requires your original licence and immigrant card. Municipal paperwork and any exchange agreement need separate checks. Official sources checked September 26, 2026.
Count 3 months from your entry date
Article 27 starts the period on entry to Paraguay and requires the foreign licence to be current. It covers only the vehicle classes stated on that licence; if no class is specified, the law treats it as a Particular licence. Keep your original licence and a record of your entry date to clarify the period at a roadside check. Article 55 requires drivers to show their licence and other applicable documents when requested by an authority.
Arrange a municipal licence for a longer stay
The law provides an «Extranjero» category for private vehicles or cargo vehicles up to 2,000 kg. It lasts 1 year and is issued on presentation of a home-country licence and immigrant card. If you have no home-country licence, ask your municipality about the ordinary category and tests; Asunción's form specifically addresses that case. In 2026, Asunción says the issuing municipality should match your place of residence.
Check documents and tests with your municipality
Asunción's published requirements for foreign applicants seeking a Particular licence list a valid passport, immigration admission card, proof of residence, blood-type record and medical assessment. They also mention theory and practical tests and an in-person application. The form dates from 2022, so confirm the current document list, fees and appointments with your municipality before paying or arranging certified copies.
Check whether your country has an exchange route
Exchange rules depend on where your licence was issued. ANTSV publishes a route for residents in Paraguay who hold a valid Chilean licence and are Chilean or Paraguayan nationals, subject to its specific paperwork. For a licence issued elsewhere, ask ANTSV and your municipality whether an agreement applies and what it requires before relying on an exchange.