Getting a drivers license in Bolivia is not very difficult, and is easier yet if you obtain an international driving permit prior to arrival or, if you bring the drivers license you were issued in your country of origin.
Bolivian law states you must be at least 21 years old to drive; however, this law is very rarely enforced. In fact, you can frequently see very young teenagers driving around town. By law, people are supposed to take a written and driving test in order to obtain a drivers license, and some people actually do take drivers training courses and the test. However, unfortunately there is corruption within the police department and many people bribe their way into a license. I don't suggest you do this, especially since it isn't all that hard or expensive to get it legally. In fact, it usually costs foreigners less to get a license than Bolivian citizens.
In addition, with all those drivers using “purchased not earned” drivers licenses around, you can imagine traffic safety is a serious issue. Most people are not highly qualified to drive (this includes public transportation and commercial trucking drivers), at least not in terms of knowing the laws and basic common safety sense. The result of this is very unorganized somewhat unsafe traffic based usually on a first come, first speed-through-the-intersection basis. Therefore, you should always DRIVE DEFENSIVELY.
To obtain a license, you may have to take the written test at the police station (‘transito’) The charge for the test is around US $40.
If you have already been issued a drivers license in your home country, or if you obtained an international drivers license, your life will be much easier. Usually all you have to do is go to the police station, show them your license which proves you’re already well-trained to drive, and they will allow you to go through the application process without taking any written or driving tests at all. Again, the charge is likely to be about US $40.00.
The application process will take a couple of hours, and it all takes place right there at the police station. However, you need to take a few specific documents with you first. You will need your identifying documents (passport, birth certificate) and you will need to know your blood type. If you have a medical document of any kind that clearly shows your blood type, that will save you the trouble of getting a type test (which can be done at the transito).
You may or may not also be asked for a ‘Registro de Domicilio’. This is a document you get from the PTJ (Judicial Technical Police). For a fee, a PTJ officer will go to your home with you to verify that you live where you say you live, then will fill out a certificate stating you’ve proven your place of residence. This will take up another full day of your time as you can't pick up that certificate until the next day because it has to be signed by someone important first.
If you ever lose your drivers license there is a long procedure during which time a new one can't be issued to you until you’ve completed all the prior legalities (including filing a police report, publishing an ad in the newspaper, waiting for a certain waiting period in case it shows up, etc.)
