Panama Forum

jakeddoc
Joined 2014
Posts: 44

8 years ago

My Panama Drivers License experience

8 years ago

Several excellent posts pertaining DL in Panama and alternative choices. Although I have a valid/active Florida DL--- yesterday I decided to renew my 21 year old and obviously expired Panama DL--I thought the process would be easy since my blood type is the same therefore no lab was needed---The branch of the Panamanian government that handles DL's is SERTRACEN more info can be obtained at www.sertracen.com.pa
For the purposes of my anecdotal and learning experience--please read on.
Living in Coronado the choice to go to a Sertracen DL office was to drive through the mountains and go to Plaza Millenia in Chorrera about 47 kilometers each way or go on the flat land towards Penonome--58 kilometers each way these two were the closest to Coronado-- so I picked the latter mainly because I have not been to Penonome in 20 plus years and it would be an interesting experience.
Sertracen DL office was jammed packed---the lady at the cashier told me that "Monday's are the worst days due to too many tickets and violations"--she stated that Wednesday's and Fridays are better. The office itself is open from8:30-4:30PM however the cashier takes an hour break for lunch.
If you are over 70 years old you will need a doctors certified document stating that you are in good physical and mental health to drive a motor vehicle. Moreover this certificate needs to come from a Panamanian doctor that specializes in Internal Medicine or Geriatrics---so most "doc on the box" type of outfits will not do. This came as a surprise to me, I did some quick research and found on the side street to the Penonome Hospital a specialized group of doctors and an internal medicine doctor checked my BP, lungs, a brief history and gave me the certificate---fee $40 minus a Jubilado discount---$32 bucks.
Back to the DL place--BTW--any government office has or should have a "jubilado lane"-- there was none posted so I asked and they created a priority access for me.
I went through my vision exam, audiology/hearing test and 15 minutes later after paying $20 dollar fee (discounted from the usual $40) I received my nice laminated DL, they kept my old one of course. Reading on into the license iteself I've learned that it was only good for TWO YEARS!! I asked my Panamanian younger friends and the "standard" license is good only for 4 years compared to the Florida (10 years) the USA DL is a bargain!!. I guess this is the way we keep unemployment down?
I am sharing this for the ones like me who believes that "age is only a number"--if you hit the 7zero best line up your medical certificate before venturing out to the Sertracen office. More information about DL and Sertracen can be obtained by calling at 315-0000 (Spanish only)--Thanks for reading

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