RUC and Panama Driver's License
Obtain the Panamanian RUC from the DGI
Studio Panama Italia allows the obtaining of the Ruc Panamense even remotely. The single register of taxpayers (RUC) is the tax identification of every natural or legal person residing in Panama who carries out an economic activity in Panama, assigned by the General Directorate of Income (DGI). The RUC of a natural person is the number of his card , while for a legal person he corresponds to his registration number in the public register. In the same way, for a foreign natural or legal person residing in Panama, the RUC is the tax code (NT) assigned to the revenue offices. Continue reading to find out how to register in the single register of taxpayers in Panama. The law that governs the issue of the Ruc Panamense is the Resolución No. 201-4984 de 2022.
Single register of taxpayers in Panama: the mandatory requirements
Once all the necessary requirements have been met, the taxpayer can continue with the registration of the RUC via the Internet on the page of the General Directorate of Income of Panama (www.dgi.gob.pa). Within the following two working days, the DGI will send an e-mail to the taxpayer informing him of the acceptance or refusal of his registration in the RUC.
the notice of operation was created Panama and includes but is not limited to the RUC before the DGI. All information of the Transaction Notice can be found in the Panama Emprende system .
The operation notice is defined as the process by which it is recorded that the commercial or industrial activity to be carried out by the declarant has been duly notified to the Public Administration and the corresponding authorities in Panama.
Obtain Panamanian driving license
The Panamanian driving license is the official document for using a vehicle in Panama. The Panamanian driving license is also the only document legally accepted by the police or by Car Rentals when you are already a resident of Panama. In fact, once you have obtained Panamanian residency, you cannot drive a car without having a Panamanian driving license. So obtaining a Panamanian driving license is necessary to be able to drive a car in Panama. Obtaining a driving license in Panama serves to remain legal under the country's traffic laws. In addition to issuing a fine, the police may request the seizure of the vehicle and the withdrawal of your passport pending payment of the fine. Therefore, to avoid any problems with Panamanian laws, once you obtain residency you must apply for a Panamanian driving license.
How to apply for a driving license in Panama
Obtaining a Panama Driver's License
Nonresident aliens using their home country's driver's license can legally drive a motor vehicle in Panama for up to 90 days.
After that period of time, foreigners must obtain a Panamanian driver's license. Once a tourist becomes a temporary resident of Panama, he will be required to immediately apply for a Panama driver's license (even if less than 90 days of presence in the country). The Panamanian government contracts with a private company called SERTRACEN to screen applicants and issue Panamanian driver's licenses.
This is the process for obtaining a Panamanian driving license:
US Citizens
Obtaining a driver's license in Panama for all US citizens requires going to the US Embassy and visiting the American Citizen Services (ACS) office during normal business hours to request an affidavit.
There is a standard form to apply for a Panamanian driving license. The consular cashier will charge $50 which includes a notary public to notarize the signature on the affidavit. Citizens of other countries
Obtaining a Panamanian driving license for citizens of other countries requires contacting the nearest embassy or consulate to obtain the necessary forms to apply for a Panamanian driving license.
This will also include an affidavit similar to one provided by the US Embassy. Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) was located in Edison Plaza on Ave. Ricardo Alfaro (called Tumba Muerto) but has moved to another building on the same street several blocks towards the international airport.
The MFA will authenticate the embassy affidavit and a copy of the original foreign driving license. If your original license does not have any blood type
If the original driving license does not have the driver's blood type, you will need to go to a medical laboratory certified by the Panama Transit Authority (ATTT). The SERTRACEN website has a web page that lists all certified medical laboratories throughout Panama. There are 65 in Panama City.
SERTRACEN
The Panamanian driving license is obtained via Sertracen.
To apply for a Panamanian driver's license, you must bring medical report proof of blood type, passport, original driver's license, residency immigration documents (if applicable) and notarized affidavit and MFA documents to an immigration center. SERTRACEN assistance whose website lists where the service centers are located in Panama. Their phone number is 315 – 6500. The fee to apply for a Panama driver's license is $40 USD.
At the service center, in order to obtain your Panamanian driving license, you will undergo an eye test to determine whether you will be required to wear glasses or contact lenses.
If you fail this test, you must obtain a prescription and purchase glasses before returning for a repeat eye exam. A hearing test will also determine whether you can hear car horns and other noises while driving.
After passing these two exams, your photo will be taken along with your home address information.
It only takes one hour for your new Panamanian driving license (with photo) to be issued.
The Panama driver's license is valid for four years.
Here is the entire step-by-step process to get a Panama driver's license:
• Certify the license at the embassy or consulate of the country where the license was issued.
• Authenticate the Embassy Certification with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Provide original and copy of passport;
• Provide original and copy of immigration card;
• Provide original and copy of the foreign license;
• Provide blood group test results issued by one of the certified laboratories (if the license has blood group it will not be required);
• Perform visual and hearing tests in the branch where your application is processed.
• Be in compliance with ATTT;
• Pay $40 USD in cash (includes visual and hearing tests);
• Payment must be made at the ATTT cash desks located at the SERTRACEN branches where the license is being processed.
** Certification by Embassies or Consulates must provide the following information:
• The term “certifies or declares, certifies or establishes” must be used.
• The name of the Consul or independent person responsible for validating the information must be provided.
• The applicant's name and passport number as stated in your country's passport must be included.
• The license number to be validated and the expiration date must be included.
• The place or country where the license was issued must be included.
• Describe the categories of the vehicle license (if the license contains details on the categories, the certification will not need to specify them. A copy of the front and back of the license must be presented).
