RUC and Panama Driving License
Obtaining the Panamanian RUC from the DGI
Studio Panama Italia also allows you to obtain the Panamanian RUC remotely. To obtain the RUC, you must be a resident of Panama . The Single Taxpayer Registry (RUC) is the tax identification number for every individual or legal entity resident in Panama who conducts economic activity in Panama, assigned by the Directorate General of Revenue (DGI). The RUC for an individual is the number on their card , while for a legal entity it corresponds to their registration number in the Public Registry. Similarly, for a foreign individual or legal entity resident in Panama, the RUC is the tax identification number (NT) assigned by the Revenue Office. Read on to learn how to register in the Single Taxpayer Registry in Panama. The law governing the issuance of the Panamanian RUC is Resolution No. 201-4984 of 2022.
Panama's Single Taxpayer Registry: Mandatory Requirements
Once all requirements have been met, the taxpayer can proceed with the RUC registration online on the Panamanian Directorate of Revenue's website (www.dgi.gob.pa). Within two business days, the Directorate will send the taxpayer an email confirming the acceptance or rejection of their RUC registration.
To accelerate the opening of new companies in Panama, the government approved Law 5 of 2007, which created the Notice of Operation. This is the only process required to start a commercial or industrial business in Panama, and includes, but is not limited to, the RUC before the DGI. All information on the Notice of Operation can be found in the Panama Emprende system .
The notification of operation 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.
Obtaining a Panamanian driver's license
The Panamanian driver's license is the official document required to operate a vehicle in Panama. It is also the only document legally accepted by the police or car rental agencies if you are already a Panamanian resident. In fact, once you have obtained Panamanian residency, you cannot drive a car without a Panamanian driver's license.
Obtaining a Panamanian driver's license is therefore necessary to drive a car in Panama. Obtaining a Panamanian license is essential to comply with the country's traffic laws. In addition to issuing a fine, the police may also seize your vehicle and confiscate your passport pending payment of the fine. Therefore, to avoid any problems with Panamanian laws, once you have obtained residency, you must apply for a Panamanian driver's license.
How to Apply for a Driving License in Panama
Obtaining a Panamanian Driver's License:
Non-resident foreigners using their home country's driver's license can legally drive a motor vehicle in Panama for up to 90 days. After this period, foreigners must obtain a Panamanian driver's license. Once a tourist becomes a temporary resident of Panama, they are required to immediately apply for a Panamanian driver's license (even if they have been in the country for less than 90 days).
The Panamanian government contracts with a private company called SERTRACEN to process applicants and issue Panamanian driver's licenses.
This is the process for obtaining a Panamanian driver's license:
U.S. Citizens:
Obtaining a driver's license in Panama for all U.S. citizens requires going to the U.S. Embassy and visiting the American Citizen Services (ACS) office during regular business hours to request an affidavit. There is a standard form to apply for a Panamanian driver's license. The consular cashier will charge $50, which includes a notary public fee to authenticate the signature on the affidavit.
Citizens of other countries:
Obtaining a Panamanian driver's license for citizens of other countries requires contacting the nearest embassy or consulate to obtain the necessary forms to apply for a Panamanian driver's license. This will also include an affidavit similar to the one provided by the U.S. 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 away from the international airport. The MFA will authenticate the embassy affidavit and a copy of the original foreign driver's license.
If your original license does not have a
blood type, you will need to go to a medical laboratory certified by the Panama Transit Authority (ATTT). The SERTRACEN website has a page listing all certified medical laboratories throughout Panama. There are 65 in Panama City.
SERTRACEN
A Panamanian driver's license is obtained through Sertracen. To apply for a Panamanian driver's license, you must be a resident of Panama and bring proof of your blood type, passport, original driver's license, immigration documents, and residency (if applicable), a notarized affidavit, and MFA documents to a SERTRACEN service center. Their website lists service centers in Panama. Their phone number is 315-6500.
The fee to apply for a Panamanian driver's license is $40 USD.
At the service center, in order to issue your Panamanian driver's license, you will undergo an eye exam to determine whether you will be required to wear glasses or contact lenses. If you fail this test, you will need to 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 to issue your new Panamanian driver's license (with photo).
A Panamanian driver's license is valid for four years.
Here's the entire step-by-step process for obtaining a Panamanian driver's license:
• Certify your license at the embassy or consulate of the country where the license was issued.
• Authenticate the embassy certification at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Provide the original and copy of your passport; • Provide the
original and copy of your immigration card;
• Provide the original and copy of your foreign license;
• Provide the results of a blood type test issued by one of the certified laboratories (if the license has blood type, it will not be required);
• Perform a vision and hearing test at the branch where your application is processed.
• Be in good standing with ATTT;
• Pay $40 USD in cash (includes vision and hearing tests);
• Payment must be made at the ATTT cashiers 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 established in their home country's passport must be included. •
The license number to be validated and its expiration date must be included.
• The place or country of issue of the license must be included.
• Describe the vehicle's license categories (if the license details the categories, the certification will not need to specify them. A copy of the front and back of the license must be presented).
