Traffic rulesColombia

Driving licences are issued by authorised municipal, district or departmental traffic authorities and the public or private bodies they lawfully authorise.

The Ministry of Transport establishes the national licensing rules, categories, procedures and technical standards.

The Registro Único Nacional de Tránsito (RUNT) is the national system that records drivers, licences, vehicles, training certificates, medical certificates, examinations and traffic-related information.

Yes. Registration as a natural person in the RUNT is a basic requirement before completing the licensing process.

The Sistema Integrado de Información sobre Multas y Sanciones por Infracciones de Tránsito is the national system used to consult traffic fines and sanctions.

A Centro de Enseñanza Automovilística is an authorised driving school that provides the compulsory training and registers the training certificate in the RUNT.

A Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores is an authorised driver-recognition centre that assesses physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness.

A Centro de Apoyo Logístico de Evaluación is an authorised evaluation centre created to administer independent theory and practical driving examinations.

Yes. A valid Colombian licence authorises driving throughout the national territory within the categories and restrictions recorded on it.

Yes. National rules apply, but local traffic-authority fees, appointments and service procedures vary.

The minimum age is 16 years.

The minimum age is 18 years.

Yes. Reading and writing ability is a statutory requirement.

The applicant must present the original identity document accepted for the person’s nationality and immigration status.

Yes. A person aged 16 or 17 can obtain a private-vehicle licence after satisfying the same training, medical and examination requirements.

No general graduated learner-permit stage applies. Training takes place through the authorised CEA process before the licence is issued.

Yes. A foreign resident can apply using the identity and immigration documents required for RUNT registration and the relevant licensing process.

Yes. A first-time applicant must obtain a training certificate from a CEA registered in the RUNT.

Yes. The law requires theory and practical examinations for the requested private or public-service category.

Yes. A valid certificate of physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness must be registered in the RUNT.

It is completed before an authorised traffic authority after all required certificates and examination results are registered.

No. Training completion does not replace the medical assessment, independent examinations or final checks by the traffic authority.

It evaluates whether the applicant has adequate physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness to drive safely.

Yes. The assessment includes visual acuity, visual field, colour discrimination and recovery after glare.

Yes. Hearing orientation and relevant auditory ability are evaluated.

Yes. The examination measures reaction and recovery abilities relevant to driving.

Yes. The CRC evaluates coordination between accelerator and brake responses and overall motor coordination.

Yes. The licence may record a corrective-lenses restriction when they are necessary to meet the standard.

Yes. A person with a partial physical limitation may qualify after demonstrating safe ability, training and any necessary vehicle adaptations.

Yes. Restrictions may identify corrective devices, adaptations or other conditions required for safe driving.

No. Fitness is assessed individually, although a permanent or serious condition incompatible with safe driving can prevent or cancel the licence.

Yes. Physical, mental and motor-coordination fitness must be demonstrated for a first licence, renewal and recategorisation.

Yes. First-time applicants and drivers seeking recategorisation must complete the applicable course at a CEA registered in the RUNT.

Yes. The national curriculum includes theoretical instruction, practical workshops and practical vehicle operation.

Yes. The content, vehicle and required competencies depend on the requested category.

It must be completed at a CEA that is authorised, registered and approved for the requested category.

The applicant should consult the official RUNT directory of authorised actors before enrolling.

Yes. Identity validation, attendance and course completion are recorded through the authorised control systems and the RUNT.

No. Impersonation, false attendance and fraudulent certification are prohibited and can lead to cancellation and criminal or administrative action.

No. It issues the training certificate; the licence is issued through an authorised traffic authority after all requirements are met.

No. Under the CALE model, independent theory and practical examinations are separated from the school that provided the training.

An evaluator may not belong to or provide services to the same CEA that trained the applicant being examined.

The CEA registers the certificate of training and driving competence in the RUNT for the corresponding category.

The certificate must be valid and registered when the later medical, examination and licence procedures are completed. Applicants should avoid unnecessary delay.

Not necessarily. Implementation is phased by department and becomes compulsory after the Ministry of Transport notifies the relevant traffic authorities and publishes the CALE’s entry into operation.

The applicant should check the traffic authority, Ministry of Transport and RUNT information for the department where the licence procedure will be completed.

The applicant must have valid CRC fitness and CEA training certificates registered in the RUNT and the supervision system.

The test contains 40 questions.

It contains 12 attitude questions and 28 knowledge questions.

The four areas are safe and sustainable mobility, traffic rules, road signs and infrastructure, and the vehicle.

The regulated maximum time to answer the test is 70 minutes.

The applicant must obtain at least 80% in the knowledge questions and at least 80% in the attitude questions.

No. The platform selects questions randomly and creates an individual order for each applicant.

The regulation permits virtual administration when technical conditions are met and the Ministry authorises the relevant provider and safeguards.

One repeat is allowed without a new examination charge at the same CALE within 10 calendar days. A repeat at another CALE requires a new payment.

The applicant has 30 calendar days to arrange the next practical stage; otherwise the regulated CALE process must be restarted and paid again.

It contains a closed-course individual-skills test and a public-road manoeuvres test.

It evaluates control of the category-appropriate vehicle through prescribed manoeuvres on a track closed to ordinary traffic.

It evaluates safe interaction with other road users and the ability to operate within real road and traffic conditions.

Yes. The theory test is followed by individual skills, and that test must be passed before the public-road test.

At least 60 points are required.

At least 60 points are required.

At least 80 points are required.

The regulated CALE procedure provides a total test window of approximately 45 to 90 minutes, including preparation and verification.

The regulation uses a minimum route of 10 kilometres for the public-road evaluation, subject to the operational rules.

The CALE normally provides the compliant vehicle. An applicant with a disability may provide a specially adapted vehicle that meets the technical requirements.

One repeat of a failed practical stage is allowed at the same CALE without a new practical-examination charge under the regulated procedure.

The certificate of successful theory and practical examinations is valid for a maximum of six months.

A1 covers motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to 125 cubic centimetres.

A2 covers motorcycles, motorcycles with sidecars and motor tricycles above 125 cubic centimetres.

B1 covers private cars, motocarros, quadricycles, SUVs, pickup trucks and minibuses within the category definition.

B2 covers private rigid trucks, small buses and buses.

B3 covers private articulated vehicles and tractor-trailers.

C1 covers public-service cars, motocarros, quadricycles, SUVs, pickup trucks and minibuses.

C2 covers public-service rigid trucks, small buses and buses.

C3 covers articulated public-service vehicles.

No. A motorcycle category must also appear on the licence.

Yes. The current national format records all authorised categories on one licence document.

Yes. Each category can have its own expiry date and should be checked separately.

Category inclusion and equivalence depend on the current national classification and service type. The driver should verify the exact categories recorded in the RUNT.

The minimum age is 18.

No. The applicant must complete the training and examinations corresponding to the public-service category.

The public-service categories are C1, C2 and C3.

No. A taxi is a public-service vehicle and normally requires category C1 and the other professional requirements.

Category C2 is used for rigid buses and busetas in public service.

Category C3.

Yes. They must receive the training and certification in subjects determined by the Ministry of Transport.

Yes. Public-service licence categories have shorter validity periods than private categories.

The category structure generally permits the corresponding private vehicle type, but the exact entitlement should be verified in the licence and RUNT record.

No. Vehicle, company, municipal, contractual, background and sector-specific requirements can apply in addition to the licence category.

The applicant pays the applicable rights and completes the final issue procedure before the authorised traffic authority.

Yes. It belongs only to the identified driver and cannot be lent or transferred.

It includes identity details, photograph, document number, blood type, birth date, authorised categories, restrictions, issue and expiry dates and the issuing authority.

The private-vehicle category is valid for 10 years.

The private-vehicle category is valid for five years.

The private-vehicle category is valid for one year.

It is valid for three years.

It is valid for one year.

No general graduated probationary stage applies after issue. A newly licensed driver receives the ordinary category but remains fully subject to traffic and suspension law.

Yes. A progressive limitation or individual medical decision can justify a shorter period or special controls.

The driver must be registered in the RUNT, present valid identification, pass a new CRC assessment, be clear of enforceable traffic debts and pay the applicable charges.

No. Ordinary renewal does not require repeating the original CEA course.

The law permits renewal before an authorised traffic authority, subject to the current RUNT and local service procedures.

No. The Ministry states that the required biometric validation is not available for a renewal completed abroad or through a representative.

The driver must not continue driving under the expired category and should complete renewal before operating again.

Yes. The driver can request a duplicate after satisfying the identification, report and payment requirements used by the authority.

No. It keeps the same categories and expiry dates as the original licence.

The driver applies to the issuing traffic authority and presents the document supporting the correction.

Licence categories, validity and related information can be consulted through the official RUNT citizen service.

It is an official driver-history certificate that can be requested without charge through the Ministry of Transport service and can be apostilled when required.

Yes. A tourist or person in transit may use a valid foreign licence during the authorised stay, subject to the legal time limit and the vehicle category.

Official guidance describes an initial period of up to three months, extendable for an equal period, while the person remains lawfully authorised to stay.

The visitor should carry the valid foreign licence and the identity or travel document proving lawful status.

The law primarily recognises the valid foreign licence. A translation or permit may be useful for interpretation or rental-company requirements but does not replace the national licence.

No. A person who becomes resident should obtain the appropriate Colombian licence or use a recognition procedure where one applies.

Yes. Specific bilateral recognition procedures exist, including a formal arrangement with Spain and procedures for certain other agreements.

Yes, when applying for a Colombian licence or a recognised exchange, using the identification and biometric procedure applicable to foreign nationals.

The Ministry of Transport states that Colombia is not a party to those conventions and does not issue a government international driving licence recognised on that basis.

No guarantee exists. The destination country decides recognition, and the traveller should confirm its law and rental requirements before travel.

Not necessarily. Recognition depends on the specific agreement, category equivalence, medical requirements and Colombian public-service rules.

Colombian licence enforcement is principally based on recorded infringements, repeat offending, suspension, cancellation and offence-specific penalties rather than a general active points threshold.

Yes. Repeating the same traffic violation within one year can lead to a six-month suspension.

Yes. Providing public transport with a private vehicle without lawful justification is a ground for suspension and repeat conduct can lead to cancellation.

Yes. Permanent physical or mental inability to drive, supported by the required medical evidence, is a ground for cancellation.

Yes. Judicial decisions can impose suspension, cancellation or a prohibition on driving.

Colombia applies a zero-tolerance enforcement structure with statutory sanctions beginning from the first legally defined positive range and increasing through the recognised degrees of intoxication.

The first range begins at 20 milligrams of ethanol per 100 millilitres of blood and extends to 39 milligrams.

Yes. Fines, suspension or cancellation periods, community work and other consequences become substantially more severe for repeated conduct.

Yes. Monetary penalties and licence-suspension periods are doubled for public-service, school-transport and driving-instructor cases under the applicable alcohol rule.

Yes. Refusal can trigger severe administrative and legal sanctions, and the vehicle can also be immobilised in alcohol or drug cases.

This FAQ was prepared from the consolidated National Traffic Code, Ministry of Transport guidance, the 2025 CALE regulation, RUNT services and the official ANSV study manual.

Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, RUNT, ANSV, a traffic authority, CEA, CRC or CALE.

Official legislation and instructions from the competent traffic authority always take precedence.