Before you start

A Paraguayan cédula de identidad — which means residence first
Blood typing (tipificación sanguínea)
Certificado de Vida y Residencia from your local comisaría
A first-aid knowledge certificate
If you hold a licence from another Paraguayan municipality: its cancellation plus an OPACI certificate

Step-by-step

1
Confirm the municipality's current fees before you go
Each city hall prices its own licence and publishes the schedule in its ordinances and decrees. Asunción's itemised total was Gs 357,400 for a new licence in 2026; Ciudad del Este's is set separately, so ask at the Municipalidad on Alejo García y Eusebio Ayala rather than assuming the capital's number.
In personWho: You
2
Cancel any other Paraguayan municipal licence
OPACI, the inter-municipal cooperation body, issues the cancellation certificate that lets a second municipality issue to you. One person, one Paraguayan municipal licence.
In personWho: You
3
Get the Certificado de Vida y Residencia at your comisaría
Issued under Policía Nacional Resolución N° 293/2014 — with the published caveat that the station chief may request further information, so the exact document list varies slightly between comisarías.
In personWho: You
4
Sit the medical checks and the exams
Sight and hearing, psicotécnico, then the theory and practical tests. Holding a foreign licence does not automatically exempt an ordinary resident; exemption turns on ANTSV Resolución N° 069/2019 and is worth asking about at the counter with the licence in hand.
In personWho: You
5
Remember a Brazilian licence is a foreign licence
Living a bridge away from Brazil does not make a Brazilian CNH a Paraguayan licence, and vice versa. Each country's traffic authority treats the other's document as foreign, so if you drive on both sides check what each expects rather than assuming the border is porous for this too.
In personWho: You

Documents you’ll need

Paraguayan cédula de identidad plus a copy authenticated by the Municipalidad
Blood typing certificate
Certificado de Vida y Residencia
Sight and hearing test, psicotécnico
First-aid knowledge certificate
Sworn declaration about medical conditions and addictions
OPACI cancellation certificate if you held a licence elsewhere in Paraguay

Things most newcomers don’t know

The rulebook is national; the price list is municipal.

So the paperwork does not change if you move within Paraguay — but the office and the cost do, and there is no transfer mechanism, only cancellation and reissue.

Source: ANTSV requirements published by Paraguayan municipalities

OPACI is the reason you cannot simply reapply somewhere else.

The inter-municipal body's cancellation certificate is what stops two municipalities issuing to the same person, and it is required before a new city hall will process you.

The Certificado de Vida y Residencia varies by police station.

The Policía Nacional publishes the observation that the comisaría chief may add requirements at his discretion, which is why two neighbours can report different lists.

Source: Policía Nacional — Resolución N° 293/2014

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming Asunción's published fee applies here — the municipality prices its own.
Assuming a foreign licence, Brazilian or otherwise, exempts you from the exams.
Turning up without a cédula. There is no ordinary route to a Paraguayan licence on a passport.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

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