Getting a Driver’s License: Countries Where You Can Easily Get a Driver’s License

For those of you who have been following us for a long time, it should come as no surprise that just like taxation, leisure, education, work, weapons, passports or investments, among many other topics, Flag Theory can also be applied to driving. In this case we are not going to talk about the countries in which you can drive more comfortably, nor in which you can test the limits of your engine by going at the maximum possible speed, but about the countries in which you can most easily obtain a first or second driver’s license.

If you decide to live as a Perpetual Tourist you have some options to hold a car, although the lack of fixed residence limits them somewhat. As you can guess, most countries do not allow you to register a car if you do not live there or at least have some kind of domicile in the world. However, owning a car and living as a Perpetual Tourist is not at all an impossibility, as we explained in the video above, so the next point should be to be able to drive the vehicle, i.e. to have a valid driver’s license.

For our part, we support anarchy on the roads, those who have experienced traffic in third world countries or who remember how it worked in their own country before having a driver’s license became widespread, are surprised at how well organized traffic is despite the fact that no one has taken out a license.

However, the truth is that in most countries you won’t be able to get behind the wheel if you don’t have a driver’s license, at least not if you want to avoid committing a crime, of course.

Many get their license as soon as they can, while some do it later because their job requires it or because they live in the outskirts of their city. The fact is that almost everyone ends up taking the exam. It is something like a modern rite of passage into adulthood, although many of those who take the driving license hardly end up using it, and it is true that nowadays, fewer and fewer young people are taking it. A clear sign that the States and Governments have achieved in this area of our lives what they have achieved in all the other areas where it involves itself: it got more and more expensive, it stopped working and, of course, it is no longer something simple and fun.

Be that as it may, whether you think that the license should be compulsory or not, whether you are happy that the State is making it more difficult to get the driving license or not, the problem comes when you decide that you do want to be able to drive, because, unfortunately, it is not always easy to get said license.

There are big differences in the difficulty of getting a driver’s license, in some countries you have to spend a lot of money and time, while in others you get it more easily.

By applying the Flag Theory, you can legally avoid excessive obstacles on the way to your driver’s license, and prepare yourself for the terror of speed cameras on the roads. The increasing regulation of our daily lives is perfectly reflected in the ever-increasing control of our roads. There used to be freedom of driving for free (and responsible) citizens. Today what we have is a supervised driving for immature and state-dependent people.

Be it as it may, now we will show you how to internationalize your driving license for carefree driving.

The legal framework

To drive a car you need a driver’s license of the corresponding class. This is unavoidable in almost all countries of the world. However, in different states the way to obtain it varies greatly.

Within Europe, unfortunately, the EU has made driver’s license tourism (i.e. moving to another country to get a license) more difficult. Not so long ago, it was still relatively easy to get a driver’s license in a neighboring country and have it recognized, but those times are over. According to the new laws, you must have lived for at least half a year in an EU member country or have a habitual residence there in order to get a driving license from that country.

This makes driver’s license tourism in Europe for European residents of little interest, although it could be a good option for those who wish to combine a semester of study abroad or a cheaper or less taxed country with obtaining a driver’s license.

If for some reason you can choose where to get your driver’s license within the European Union, Latvia is the country where you will probably be able to do it the easiest. This country has the advantage that it allows you to take the test in English, that you can get the license already at the age of 16 and that the costs are quite low. Further, there is not even a minimum number of hours you have to have taken practical driving lessons nor do they give you a medical examination.

Besides Latvia, also Estonia or even France can be interesting options.

Driving licenses from within the EU are valid indefinitely (generally, you will not have to test your knowledge again) also without the international driving license. However, it is advisable to apply for the latter if you plan to move around the world, as not all countries accept the national driving license. The international driving license does not replace the national driving license but serves only as a translation of it and indicates that the driver at the time of application had a valid license. Unfortunately, applying for it usually requires permanent residence in the country where you apply, which, if you are already a Perpetual Tourist, might be an effort that is not necessarily worth it.

However, Perpetual Tourists also have resources and methods for obtaining one or more driving licenses. We find it especially handy to have multiple driver’s licenses. If we lose one (or it is stolen), we will always have another one.

This is important especially for digital nomads who are constantly on the move, because they can save the local bureaucracy required to obtain a new one (something that without a fixed address can be quite difficult). As for the destination countries, the conditions for a driver’s license vary greatly from one to another. As a rule, a driver’s license is sufficient, ideally with a sworn translation attached in the language of the destination country, but only if we plan to be there for less than a year.

By the way, the withdrawal of a driver’s license is only considered valid in the country where it happened. Therefore, you could continue to drive internationally with a second license, even if one of your licenses has been withdrawn.

In the rest of this article, we will examine several countries that may be interesting to obtain a driver’s license either because you do not have a license or because you lost it a long time ago.

Countries where it is easier to obtain your driver’s license

The easiest way to get a driver’s license is illegal and as you might guess, it’s not the smartest option. Not because it is immoral, but because you could end up in jail. Forging documents is a crime and nowadays forgers are easily caught.

We should also rule out “buying” driver’s licenses in dodgy countries. In countries such as Afghanistan, licenses can be obtained for a small fee, but the reality is that an Afghan driver’s license will be of little use to you if you want to drive outside Afghanistan.

This is not the case in any of the countries below, where you are at least required to pass a short test. If you have not passed the test in your home country, fear not, in these countries you are sure to pass it, and, in addition, thanks to the savings, you will be able to celebrate your newly acquired license with a nice vacation.

However, you should keep in mind that you have to settle temporarily in all these countries, because to apply for the license you need a permanent address in the country (which does not mean that you need a permanent residence permit). A rental as a tourist would be sufficient.

Unfortunately, legislation is constantly changing. Until recently it was still possible in Mexico City to get a driver’s license for only $30, even without a medical examination or practical test. You only needed a passport, you did not need a residence permit or local consumer bills. So stay tuned, as the information here may change at any time.

We leave you now with the information updated to 2023 on how to get your driver’s license in some of the easiest countries in the world. Of course, if you know of any other country or at any time something changes, we invite you to leave the information in the comments.

Egypt:

• 18 years of age and older.
• Certificate from an Egyptian ophthalmologist and/or doctor indicating blood type.
• Physical and visual test.
• Send the following certificates and documentation to Attaba Square traffic department in Cairo or Giza:
  • Valid identity card
  • 2 recent photographs
  • Completed and passed LE form of the practical and oral test.
  • Proof of residency
  • Background and violation certificate
  • Updated documents of compulsory insurance against car accidents
  • Single form for private cars
• Price of fees: 55 EGP.
• Depending on the fee paid: 3 years or 1 year validity.
• Processing time: 3 weeks until issuance.
• You must physically present yourself at the office issuing the driver’s license.

Mexico:

• From 18 years of age.
• It can be done in English, but it is advisable to know Spanish, both to deal with the police officers who issue it and for the fact that the written test is easier in Spanish.
• Documentation must be presented at a police station (Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección).
• Documentation:
  • One of the following: tourist visa, temporary or permanent residence card, visa pre-approved by the Mexican consulate abroad.
  • A valid passport
  • Proof of residency (water, electricity, phone bills) with your name and address
  • Birth certificate (if you are asked to provide it)
  • Medical form (some states require it). Any medical or red cross center can issue it. After the age of 80, this form is accompanied by a vision test. This form indicates, among other things, your blood type.
• Written exam: The Traffic Regulations governing the written exam can only be found in Spanish, but the exam can be taken in English. However, in some states the English test may not be translated very well and may be confusing. If you know Spanish, we recommend that you take the exam in Spanish. The test is composed of ten questions and you cannot make more than 2 mistakes to pass.
• Practical test: differs from state to state, but is not considered particularly complicated. It is usually taken in a parking lot or street near the testing center and you are also required to park your vehicle.
• Once you pass the test, a photograph will be taken and your fingerprints and signature will be taken at the traffic office. You will then receive your Mexican driver’s license.
• The price of the permit varies depending on the state, but ranges from 500 to 850 pesos (approximately 30 to 50 USD).
• You can choose between 2, 3 or 5 years validity.

Honduras:

• To obtain a driver’s license in Honduras, you will have to take a written test in Spanish.
• Once you have passed the theoretical exam, you must pass a practical exam at the Centro de Capacitación Vial.
• The minimum score to pass both exams is 70 out of 100.
• You will have to undergo a medical check-up, eye exam and blood tests at the places indicated by the police.
• After all these steps, you must present the completed application form and all the necessary documents at a police station:
  • Two passport-size color photographs
  • Photocopy of your identity card
  • A Honduran cedula (valid residency card).
• When you go to the police station to hand in the completed form and documents, you will be fingerprinted and a photograph will be taken.
• Fees: 30$ to be paid at the Atlantida bank.
• You must be at least 18 years old and be able to read and write Spanish.

Venezuela:

• The driver’s license is issued by the National Institute of Land Transportation (INTT).
• You must request an appointment at an INTT office through the INTT web page (it is necessary to create a user name and provide certain information). At the time of the appointment, you must present the following documents:
  • Two passport-size photographs with white background
  • Identity card (valid and in good condition)
  • The single application form that you can download once you create a user account on the INTT web page
  • Proof of payment (the amount is indicated on the single application form).
  • Medical and psycho-technical certificate (if applicable).
• On the day of the appointment you will have to pass a practical and a theoretical test.
• The driver’s license is valid for 10 years.
• Fees: the practical and theoretical exams have a fee of 900 VES (about 32 USD) and the issuance of the license costs 1800 VES (about 64 USD).

Colombia:

• – To obtain a Colombian driver’s license you must be at least 16 years old.
• – You must prove that you are “in good standing” for traffic fines.
• – You must be registered in the RUNT, have paid the fees and present the following documents:
• o Foreigner’s identification card, certified password (provisionally) or valid passport.
• o Certificate of aptitude issued by a Center of Automobile Education (CEA) authorized by the Ministry of Transportation.
• o Certificates of physical, mental and motor coordination exams (incorporated in the RUNT, issued by a Driver Recognition Center (CRC) authorized by the Ministry of Transport and registered in the RUNT).
• o Photocopy of an identity document
• – The price of the exam is around one million Colombian pesos (about 240 USD).

Isle of Man:

• Driving licenses are issued by the Isle of Man Post Office.
• The price of the license is 45 pounds and it is valid for 10 years (all this for those under 66 years old).
• The provisional license costs 14 pounds.
• The theory test and hazard perception test costs 10 pounds.
• You must be at least 16 years of age (17 years of age for certain additional vehicles, 18 years of age for all others.
• You will need to submit a completed application form accompanied by the following documents:
  • 2 forms of identification: one must be photographic and the other a proof of age (e.g. birth certificate and passport). The address on your identification document must correspond to the address at which you reside within the Isle of Man.
  • Recent passport size photograph

India:

• In 2023 a new regulation has been approved, whereby it is no longer necessary to take a driving test or go to the transport offices, called RTO (Regional Transport Office) to obtain a driver’s license.
• All you have to do is visit the web portal of the Ministry of Transport and Roads, indicate the state where you live and the type of license you want. After that, you will need to complete an application form and pay the fees.
• You must be 18 years old to apply for the license (16 for two-wheeled vehicles and up to 50cc power, with parental or legal guardian consent).
• To apply for the driving license you will need to submit the following documents:
  • An Aadhaar ID (Aadhar card)
  • Birth certificate
  • Passport
  • Application form number 4
  • 6 passport size photographs
  • Passport size photograph
  • Forms 1 and 1A for the medical certificates
  • Proof of payment of the fee
• The fee is 25 rupees (about 0.30 USD) plus 5 rupees stamp duty (about 0.6 USD).
• The issuance time is about 2 days.

We hope this information will help you get the driver’s license you need. Do you have any experience with driver’s licenses abroad? Share it in the comments!