Features of the Uruguayan Car Market: Obtaining a Uruguayan Driving Licence Based on a Foreign Driving Licence

A Uruguayan driving licence can be obtained without taking the theory and practical tests on the basis of a valid foreign driving licence only in three regions of Uruguay:

1. Montevideo
2. Canelones
3. Maldonado

In the remaining regions, taking examinations is compulsory.

In Montevideo and Canelones, obtaining a Uruguayan driving licence

A notarised copy bearing an apostille is required. In Maldonado, you need either a notarised copy with an apostille or a consular certificate together with a translation of the driving licence.

From April to early August 2024, the Maldonado Intendencia refused to issue a Uruguayan driving licence on the basis of a consular certificate and additionally required that certificate to bear an apostille or legalisation by Uruguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is impossible under the law.

We worked to resolve this issue by submitting numerous requests to the Foreign Ministry and the Maldonado Intendencia.

I am delighted to say that, from 7 August 2024, the practice of issuing a Uruguayan driving licence on the basis of a national driving licence together with a consular certificate from the Consulate of the Russian Federation in Uruguay returned to normal.

Special thanks also to @a.a.ermoshin for their trust, patience and help!

How to obtain a Uruguayan driving licence in Maldonado on the basis of a consular certificate:

Step 1. Prepare the documents: request from the Consulate of the Russian Federation a Spanish-language certificate confirming the Russian driving licence. The certificate must state the passport details and, if applicable, the cédula number. Make copies of the first page of the foreign passport and of the cédula, and take the original Russian driving licence, passport, and cédula with you.

Step 2. Have a medical examination in Maldonado and obtain a certificate at Laboratorio AguaLab near City Hall (address: Sarandi Frente a Ose, Manuel A Ledesma; weekdays from 8:00 to 13:00). No advance booking is required; the procedure takes five minutes.

Reference: https://agualab-laboratorio-ambiental.negocio.site/

You can also undergo this examination at the BioEste Centre (Rafael Perez del Puerto 892, opening hours from 8:00 to 17:00).

Step 3. Go to the Maldonado Intendencia at Enrique Burnett 759. On the ground floor, take a number for ‘Revalida de licencia de conducir extranjera’. With this ticket, go down one floor and take the door on the right. You will be called verbally to the service windows. Your documents will be checked and, if everything is in order, you will be given a slip to pay the fee.

The amount depends on the licence validity period and the categories being applied for. Go to the Abitab on the next corner to pay.

Step 4. Return to the same desk with the payment receipt to sign the application. Within a few minutes, you will be called for a photograph and the licence will then be issued.

If you prefer not to spend your time learning about and managing the application process, you can always use Anna Bamburova’s services to go through the process comfortably and in the shortest possible time, receive a full set of steps for obtaining permanent residence and a cédula ID card, and gain access to extensive experience of adapting to life in Uruguay.

Questions? Contact Anna onFollow Uruguayan news on our