Traffic rulesUruguay

It is the Permiso Único Nacional de Conducir, commonly abbreviated to PUNC. It is the national-format permit authorising a person to drive the vehicle categories recorded on it.

The 19 departmental governments, known as intendencias, manage applications, tests, issuance, renewals and local administration within the national PUNC framework.

It is a nationally coordinated permit with common categories and core rules, but it is issued and administered by a departmental government.

No. The PUNC follows a principle of uniqueness: one person should hold one permit containing all current categories for which that person is authorised.

Yes. Several authorised categories may be recorded on the same permit.

Yes. A driver must carry a valid permit and present it when required by national or departmental traffic authorities.

No. It authorises only the vehicle classes corresponding to the categories shown on the permit and any restrictions recorded on it.

Category A is the ordinary category for cars, light vans and eligible car-and-trailer combinations within its passenger and weight limits.

No. The permit authorises the person to drive, while the vehicle registration identifies the vehicle and its registered holder. Both may need to be carried, together with proof of compulsory insurance.

No. A motor-vehicle driver must hold a valid permit for the relevant category.

The applicant should consult the official PUNC procedure for the intendencia handling the application, because booking, fees, accepted medical providers and operational steps can differ by department.

Category A covers vehicles carrying up to nine people including the driver, vans and vehicles with a trailer, provided the total maximum weight does not exceed 4,000 kg.

Category B covers vehicles carrying up to 18 people and trucks whose total weight does not exceed 7,000 kg, with a trailer not exceeding 1,500 kg.

Category C covers vehicles carrying up to 18 people and rigid trucks, with a trailer not exceeding 1,500 kg. The practical-test vehicle must exceed category B limits.

Category D covers vehicles carrying up to 18 people and trucks without a cargo-weight limit, including the heavy combinations specified for the category, such as a truck with a trailer over 1,500 kg or a tractor with a semitrailer.

Category E is the professional taxi category. It covers metered hire cars and the same basic vehicle range as category A, up to nine people including the driver and a total maximum weight of 4,000 kg.

Category F covers minibuses, buses and rigid trucks, with a trailer not exceeding 1,500 kg. The practical examination is taken in a bus carrying more than 24 passengers by design.

Category G1 covers mopeds of up to 50 cc without gears.

Category G2 covers motorcycles and mopeds of up to 200 cc and also authorises G1 vehicles.

Category G3 covers motorcycles over 200 cc, effectively removing the G2 engine-capacity limit, and also authorises G2 vehicles.

Category H covers road, agricultural and related machinery. The practical test is taken on machinery appropriate to the authorisation requested.

Yes. Under the PUNC category hierarchy, category B also authorises category A vehicles and category H machinery.

Yes. Category C also authorises category B vehicles and category H machinery.

Yes. Category D also authorises category C vehicles and category H machinery.

Yes. Category F also authorises category C vehicles and category H machinery.

Not in the PUNC category list. Trailer permission is built into the relevant A, B, C, D or F category and depends on the combination's weight and vehicle type.

The minimum age is 18 for both category A and category B, and neither requires previous seniority in another category.

The applicant must be at least 19 and normally have one year of seniority in another non-G category.

The applicant must be at least 21 and normally have three years of seniority in another non-G category.

The applicant must be at least 21 and normally have two years of seniority in another non-G category.

The applicant must be at least 23 and normally have three years of seniority in another non-G category.

The minimum age is 16. Applicants under 18 require their legal representatives to endorse the application under the PUNC procedure.

The minimum age is 18, with no previous motorcycle-category seniority required.

The applicant must be at least 21 and have three years of seniority in a category G motorcycle permit.

The minimum age is 18, and category H does not require previous seniority.

No. The PUNC rules expressly exclude category G when calculating the previous-licence seniority required for those categories.

The competent intendencia handles the application. Foreign-licence homologation is normally requested from the intendencia where the applicant resides.

A current identity document is required. Departmental procedures commonly accept a valid Uruguayan identity card or eligible passport, but the exact list must be checked locally.

Yes. National law requires a medical assessment of the applicant's psychophysical fitness before a permit can be issued.

Yes. The PUNC system consolidates a person's current categories into one permit, and the applicant may have to present existing permits or a police report for a lost or stolen document.

Yes. Departmental procedures and the national system can prevent completion while relevant fines, sanctions, disqualifications or another pending PUNC procedure remain unresolved.

The PUNC document cost is nationally coordinated, but medical charges, local service items and operational payment arrangements may differ. Applicants should verify the current amount with their intendencia.

Yes. Applicants may use an authorised driving academy, subject to the academy and departmental procedure.

A department may permit private instruction, but the accompanying driver and training vehicle must satisfy the applicable requirements and be registered or presented as instructed.

The national PUNC text does not set one universal lesson total for every department. Local rules can add a requirement; for example, Montevideo currently requires 15 hours of practical instruction before its category A practical test.

Typical requirements include the vehicle registration, valid compulsory motor insurance and any required technical inspection. The controlling departmental procedure must be checked.

The usual sequence is document and fitness approval, theory examination and then practical examination. A failed theory test prevents progression to the practical test.

The national procedure sets a maximum application validity of 180 calendar days from the start of the process. If it expires, a new procedure and the applicable steps and payments are required.

Yes. National law requires an applicant to pass a theory examination on traffic rules before obtaining a motor-vehicle permit.

Yes. The theory test is eliminatory, so failure prevents the applicant from taking the practical examination at that stage.

It assesses knowledge of traffic rules, road safety and relevant public transport rules needed to act safely as a driver.

No. The national procedure provides a theory test for each category, including public-service categories, although departments may organise related modules within their testing system.

UNASEV publishes the Guía Nacional de Conducción and links to national preparation material. Intendencias may also publish category-specific manuals and practice resources.

The national PUNC text defines the purpose and administration of the test but does not prescribe one public nationwide question count or pass mark. Candidates must check the current format with their intendencia.

Yes. A candidate who needs language, reading or disability-related support should contact the intendencia before booking, because available arrangements and required evidence are handled operationally.

The test is recorded as failed for cheating and a new date must be assigned under the applicable procedure.

The result is normally recorded as absent and treated as a failure, although a properly justified absence may be reviewed and a new date assigned.

Within the national procedure, successive waiting periods are 4, 8, 16, 30, 45 and 60 calendar days after each failure, subject to the application's 180-day maximum validity.

Yes, as many times as the retake intervals and the remaining 180-day application period allow.

Yes. Failure of one required part means failure of the complete theory examination for that attempt.

Yes. National law requires a practical examination demonstrating fitness and skill for the vehicle category requested.

The PUNC framework divides it into vehicle-knowledge, closed-course or track, and on-road circulation elements, adapted to the vehicle category.

Yes. The vehicle must meet the category's characteristics and any department-specific test-vehicle rules.

The practical test is taken in a vehicle within category A limits: up to nine people including the driver and up to 4,000 kg gross total weight.

It must exceed category A limits and fall within category B, generally between 10 and 18 occupants or between 4,001 and 7,000 kg gross total weight.

The practical test is taken in a rigid truck that exceeds category B limits.

The test uses the heavy combination required by the category, such as a truck over 7,000 kg with a trailer over 1,500 kg or a tractor and semitrailer.

The practical test is taken in a bus designed for more than 24 passengers.

The accompanying driver must hold a valid Uruguayan permit authorising the test category and must not have unpaid fines, pending sanctions or disqualifications. A department may impose additional age or seniority rules.

It must comply with circulation requirements and must not have unpaid fines or vehicle-tax debt that prevents its use in the system.

Yes. The same national waiting sequence used for retesting applies: 4, 8, 16, 30, 45 and 60 calendar days, within the 180-day life of the application.

Yes. Failure of a required part results in failure of the complete practical examination for that attempt.

Yes. The national procedure allows the system to control entries, including a limit of three entries per month or seven per semester for a private instructor or accompanying driver, with corresponding controls for private vehicles.

Yes. The test may be taken in an appropriately adapted vehicle when the adaptation has been approved and safely compensates for the applicant's functional limitation.

A permit issued for the first time is provisional and may be granted for a maximum of two years.

Yes. Once issued, it authorises driving within its recorded category and restrictions; it is not merely a supervised learner authorisation.

No. A learner may practise only under the authorised departmental conditions with an eligible accompanying driver and suitable vehicle.

The national PUNC procedure does not set a general curfew for all first-permit holders. Any restriction printed on the permit or imposed by another applicable rule must still be obeyed.

The national PUNC procedure does not create a general novice passenger limit. Vehicle capacity, category limits and any individual restriction remain controlling.

Yes. Conditions such as corrective lenses, daylight-only driving or use of an adapted vehicle are legally relevant from the first day.

No. Uruguay's 0.0 alcohol rule applies to all drivers and all vehicle categories, including first-permit holders.

When the national points system is operational for the driver, a first-time permit holder begins with eight points.

Under the decree, four points are added after two years without an offence that removes points, bringing the balance to twelve.

Yes. After a further three clean years the balance rises to 14, and after another three clean years it rises to the maximum of 15.

No. The holder must complete the renewal process and satisfy the medical, administrative, age and category requirements. The renewed validity cannot exceed the applicable maximum.

Check the renewal procedure early with the intendencia. A renewal may generally be started up to 30 days before expiry.

For a holder aged up to 55, the administrative maximum is ten years, unless medical findings or another restriction require a shorter period.

The maximum becomes nine years at 56, eight at 57, seven at 58, six at 59, five from 60 to 68, four at 69, three from 70 to 78, two at 79 and one at 80.

The administrative maximum is ten years, subject to medical fitness and any category-specific restriction.

The maximum becomes nine years at 56, eight at 57, seven at 58, six at 59, five from 60 to 65, four at 66, three at 67, two at 68 and one at 69. Older applicants must confirm continuing eligibility with the intendencia.

Yes. The more restrictive medical or administrative period controls.

The national procedure generally applies one validity period to the permit as a whole, using the most restrictive relevant medical or administrative limit.

A renewal may generally be processed up to 30 days before the expiry date, subject to any authorised exception.

The national procedure allows expired permits to be renewed without imposing theory and practical examinations for up to two years after expiry, although an update course and medical or administrative requirements may still apply.

The simplified expired-permit renewal protection no longer applies. The person should expect the intendencia to require the applicable examination and new-application steps; the points decree also treats the reissued permit like a beginner's permit for its initial balance.

Yes. When the applicant is at least 75 at the start of the renewal procedure, a practical examination and medical assessment are mandatory.

A duplicate may be issued for the same categories and remaining validity, normally after identity checks and, for loss or theft, the required police report or declaration.

No. A change affecting at least one category is processed as a category change and requires the corresponding eligibility, medical, theory and practical requirements.

No. An expired permit does not authorise driving unless a specific valid temporary authorisation has been formally issued.

A tourist may generally drive with a current licence valid for the vehicle being used, while complying with immigration, insurance, vehicle and rental requirements. A translation or International Driving Permit may be advisable when the licence is not readily understandable.

Yes. For temporary or tourist circulation within MERCOSUR, a valid licence issued in the driver's home country remains effective without compulsory exchange.

The driver should carry valid identification, the driving licence, vehicle ownership or authorised-use documentation and valid insurance. Foreign-registered vehicles are also subject to customs and tourist-vehicle rules.

No. An International Driving Permit is a translation and supporting document; it must be carried with the valid national licence and does not create vehicle permissions the national licence lacks.

The person should apply to the intendencia of residence and follow that department's foreign-licence homologation procedure.

Yes. The foreign permit must be valid when the procedure is started.

The applicant presents the licence and the consular or official certification required by the intendencia. Documents not in Spanish may need translation by a public translator.

The applicant normally needs the original current licence, proof of its validity or driving record, legalisation or apostille as applicable, and a Spanish translation when required.

Yes. Where Uruguay has a bilateral agreement, the agreement's equivalence table, document rules and any test requirements take priority.

Not always. The PUNC framework generally avoids retaining a revalidated licence, but a bilateral agreement may require surrender; for example, an exchange under the Spain agreement can require the Spanish permit to be returned to its issuing authority.

Yes. The intendencia may recognise it in whole or in part, applying Uruguayan category, validity, medical and restriction rules.

Yes. Tests may be required when the agreement, category equivalence, document evidence or exceptional recognition procedure calls for them.

The minor's legal representatives must endorse the application together with the applicant and accept the responsibility required by the PUNC procedure.

No. G1 is limited to mopeds up to 50 cc without gears.

The category standard requires the test on a geared motorcycle up to 200 cc, demonstrating control of the type of machine covered by the full G2 permission.

The test is taken on a motorcycle over 200 cc with non-automatic gears.

Category E is required for metered hire cars, together with any separate professional, municipal or service requirements applying to the taxi activity.

Category F is the principal PUNC category for minibuses and buses, and its practical test uses a bus designed for more than 24 passengers.

Category B covers trucks up to 7,000 kg, category C covers larger rigid trucks and category D covers unrestricted heavy trucks and the specified heavy trailer or semitrailer combinations.

They can be. The PUNC medical protocol distinguishes ordinary and professional or special driving demands and may require additional tests or shorter validity.

Yes. Depending on the category and department, applicants may need a health card, laboratory results, proof of previous licence seniority or a criminal-record certificate.

No. Category H does not generate the licence seniority needed to progress to other categories.

It can assess vision, visual field and colour perception, hearing, physical coordination, relevant diseases, medication, psychological fitness and other factors affecting safe driving.

Yes. The permit can require spectacles or contact lenses whenever the medical assessment finds them necessary for safe driving.

Yes. Daylight-only driving may be imposed as a psychophysical restriction.

Yes. A person may be licensed to drive a suitably adapted vehicle when the assessment and practical test establish that the adaptation provides safe control.

Yes. The medical examiner may recommend a shorter validity period and additional monitoring or specialist evidence.

Under the national protocol, the certificate is generally valid for a maximum of 30 days after issue for presentation to the licensing office.

Yes. A certificate issued in a disability-related case may have a presentation validity of up to 90 days.

The holder should request a new medical-psychological assessment when a physical or mental change could affect driving ability, rather than waiting for ordinary renewal.

A new assessment may generally be requested after six months, or earlier when the medical professional considers that the disqualifying cause has disappeared or materially improved.

The limit is 0.0 g/l. Any alcohol concentration above zero makes a person legally unfit to drive a vehicle of any type or category.

Refusal is treated seriously under traffic law and the points-system decree lists refusal alongside alcohol or drug driving as an offence causing total loss of points when the system applies.

Yes. Authorities may retain the permit and impose suspension or cancellation through the applicable administrative process.

No. The driver must complete the prescribed reincorporation process, including the relevant medical protocol and any other required measures, before being authorised again.

Yes. Decree 181/025 created the national points system associated with the PUNC and set its balances, point deductions, recovery rules and implementation framework.

No. The decree allows up to 24 months from 2 September 2025 for full implementation, so drivers should verify the current operational stage with official PUNC or intendencia services.

As a transitional rule, a person holding a valid PUNC when the system begins receives 12 points.

Alcohol or drug driving, refusing the relevant test and participating in unauthorised vehicle competitions cause total point loss.

The decree removes six points for handheld-phone driving or driving at least double the limit, four for driving without the correct PUNC category, and two for specified serious speeding, seat-belt, helmet and child-restraint offences.

The PUNC is temporarily suspended for three months and the driver must complete the compulsory recovery programme.

Yes. A driver with a positive balance recovers up to 12 points after two years without another offence that removes points.

Yes. A voluntary course can restore six points up to the amount lost and may be taken once per year; a recovery course is compulsory after the balance is exhausted.

The official Consolidated PUNC text published by the Congress of Intendants was used for the one-permit principle, categories, foreign conversion, examinations, retakes, validity, medical rules and reinstatement.

The official Montevideo category table, checked against the national PUNC text, was used for category vehicles, ages, seniority and test-vehicle distinctions.

The current Montevideo first category A procedure was used only for clearly identified local examples such as its 15-hour instruction rule and accompanying-driver documents.

The official article 26 of Law 18.191 was used to confirm the medical, theory and practical examinations and the obligation to hold the correct category.

The official Congress of Intendants homologation guidance and the foreign-conversion article in the PUNC text were used for residence, validity, legalisation, translation and bilateral agreements.

The official Decree 181/025 in the IMPO legal database was used for initial balances, deductions, recovery, suspension and the 24-month implementation window.

The official Law 19.360 was used to confirm the 0.0 g/l alcohol limit for every driver and vehicle category.

This English master was last reviewed on 4 August 2026. Applicants should still check the current procedure of the relevant intendencia because fees, appointments, accepted documents, test format, training arrangements and the operational rollout of the points system can change.