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Driving — Guatemala
What travelers need to know about driving in Guatemala. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Short answer
Driving in the U.S. too?The free LawLert iPhone app alerts you when you cross into a U.S. state where a law you track differs. It doesn't cover other countries yet.Get the free appDriving in Guatemala: allowed only under specific conditions.
CONDITIONAL
A valid US driver's licence is accepted in Guatemala for the first 30 days of a visit and an International Driving Permit is needed for longer stays; it is illegal to use a phone while driving.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs means arrest and possible jail; after an accident causing injury you can be held until an investigation or payment of damages is completed, no matter who is at fault.
§ US State Dept — GuatemalaVerified Jul 30, 2026
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LawLert is an independent app and is not affiliated with any government. It summarizes laws from official government and U.S. State Department sources for general information only. This is not legal advice, and laws change. Always confirm with official sources and local authorities before you travel.