Colombia introduces new requirements for driving licenses

The Colombian Ministry of Transport has established new regulations for obtaining or recategorizing driving licenses. Under the new model, a mandatory theoretical exam will be required for first-time applicants and those seeking to change license categories. This requirement will not apply to individuals simply renewing an existing license.

To ensure impartiality, the government is introducing Logistics Support Evaluation Centers (CALE). These entities will be responsible for conducting both theoretical and practical exams, separating the training process from the evaluation process. Previously, driving schools (CEA) handled both training and certification. To prevent conflicts of interest, legal entities that own or are partners in a driving school (CEA) are prohibited from registering as a CALE.

The implementation will be progressive. According to official circulars, the mandatory theoretical exam is set to take effect on September 14, 2026. The results of these evaluations will be validated directly through the National Unified Transit Registry (RUNT). This change is expected to introduce additional steps and costs for applicants, as the exam fee will be independent of driving school tuition.