The Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) warned against this Lima Regional Governmentissued by its Regional Directorate of Transport and Communications Driving licenses to foreign citizens via the exchange modality without complying with applicable legal requirements.
The observations are part of the official guidance report No. 036-2025-OCI/5344-SOO, the evaluation period of which was November 19-25, 2025, and which reviewed the procedures carried out in 2023, 2024 and so far in 2025.
The document states that the regional unit has granted 183 driving licenses without checking compliance with basic requirementsincluding the presentation of the consular certificate or an official document from the foreign authority confirming the authenticity of the original license. This verification is mandatory to ensure that the applicant actually has a valid and homologable document in accordance with the national regulation of the driving license issuance system.
During the review, the Comptroller’s Office analyzed overall 218 licenses processed via exchange. Of these, only 35 met all requirementswhich is equivalent to 16% of the cases evaluated. The difference reveals itself Serious deficiencies in internal controlsand lack of oversight in the document verification and administrative process of the Regional Directorate of Transport.
The report also points out that regional unity has not declared the invalidity of licenses issued without compliance with the regulationsalthough these administrative acts are flawed by the lack of essential requirements.
This lack of action within the legal deadline creates the risk of a prescriptionwhich could prevent the administration from canceling illegally issued licenses. The Comptroller’s Office warns that this will compromise the state’s ability to correct actions that directly impact the legality and proper functioning of the licensing system.
The CGR warns that issuing licenses without verifying their authenticity or validity is dangerous Danger to traffic safetyas people without valid registration could drive vehicles in the country. In addition, the situation affects citizens’ trust in the institutions responsible for monitoring land transport and ensuring compliance with regulations.
The company points out that these events also have an impact on the transparency and proper performance of public functions as well as the efficiency of the control system.
Upon receipt of the report, the head of the Lima Regional Government was officially notified and must take preventive and corrective measures within five working days. The expected measures include the regularization of administrative procedures, the strengthening of internal controls and the establishment of administrative responsibilities for identified irregularities.
In parallel, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) reminded that obtaining or renewing a driving license is a personal, accessible procedure carried out only through official channels. The company warned that resorting to intermediaries not only makes the process more expensive, but also puts citizens at risk of fraud or irregularities.
In Lima, the renewal of the physical permit costs S/ 14.70, while the electronic version costs S/ 6.70. Care is carried out at the Jr. Antenor Orrego 1923 site in Cercado de Lima, as well as in MAC centers throughout the country, always by appointment and in compliance with the established requirements.
To obtain or renew a driver’s license, the MTC requires passing a medical examination in an authorized center, a theoretical assessment of traffic rules and a practical driving test. Depending on the desired category, the practical assessment is carried out in official circles or before authorized bodies.
All stages must be carried out in official premises and under the supervision of the MTC, in accordance with the national regulations of the driving license issuance system.
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