How can I get a Nicaraguan driver's license?

The first thing I should mention is that you don't need a Nicaraguan driver's license to drive in Nicaragua.  If you have an existing driver's license from the US, that's all you need.

 

There is no standardized test in order to get a Nicaraguan driver’s license. You go in for what they call, in Spanish, a ‘Charla’, which in English it translates to ‘a chat’. So you go in for a chat, then they will give you a...

The first thing I should mention is that you don't need a Nicaraguan driver's license to drive in Nicaragua.  If you have an existing driver's license from the US, that's all you need.

 

There is no standardized test in order to get a Nicaraguan driver’s license. You go in for what they call, in Spanish, a ‘Charla’, which in English it translates to ‘a chat’. So you go in for a chat, then they will give you a driving test and a written exam. There is no book and the whole process is not standardized. Then you have to get a doctor’s medical clearance saying that you are fit to drive. Lastly, you have to go to a psychiatrist and go through a psychiatric exam.

 

A Nicaraguan friend of mine just got his license renewed yesterday. He was supposed to meet me at 10 AM for a meeting but he did not show up until noon because it took him a total of four hours to get his driver’s license. He had to go to the Red Cross psychiatrist and they asked him questions like, ‘How do you feel about the law?’ and ‘How do you drive when you are angry?’ They are very philosophical questions, although I am not sure how they are relevant to the driver’s license. He also had to take an eye test, which he said he barely passed since he wears eyeglasses.

 

If you have a complete day to spare and you want to experience bureaucracy at its finest, take the time to get a Nicaraguan driver’s license.  

 

(Quilalí, Nicaragua, pictured.)