Only a few countries' licences can be exchanged without the full exams. What everyone else goes through, what to bring in Buenos Aires City, and what it costs.
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Argentina has licence exchange agreements with 5 countries only: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Italy. If your licence comes from anywhere else, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, expect to sit the full process, in Spanish.
One third-party guide says holders from these countries skip the theory and practical exams. They still take the psicofísico (psychophysical exam).
One third-party guide says an exchange takes about 2-3 months.
The government page lists the countries. Our research does not show whether what counts is the country that issued your licence or your nationality. If the two differ for you, ask before you apply.
You go through the full process. One third-party guide lists the steps: Free road-education course, theory exam, mechanical-failures test, practical test, medical.
The same guide gives the language of the exams: Spanish only.
The same guide says a certificate of legality for your foreign licence means you do not start with beginner status. We could not confirm who issues that certificate or how to get it.
If your Spanish is still basic, give yourself time to prepare for the theory exam.
The rules below are for CABA (Buenos Aires City), the only place our research covered. If you will live elsewhere, check with your local licence office.
What you apply with depends on whether you have your ID card yet.
So you can apply before your DNI arrives, with a valid precaria (temporary residence certificate) that shows a Buenos Aires City address and the passport you used for your residency application.
Our research found nothing on the city's rules for people on the digital nomad permit or for tourists.
A third-party guide puts the total at ARS 43,040 (about USD 28 at ARS 1,540 on 6 October 2026). That is made up of the licence fee, ARS 34,200 (about USD 22 at ARS 1,540 on 6 October 2026), and a CENAT charge, ARS 8,840 (about USD 6 at ARS 1,540 on 6 October 2026).
These figures are dated. Check the current fee before you go.
One third-party guide says this about tourists: May drive on a valid foreign licence, with an International Driving Permit if it is not in Spanish. We could not confirm this on a government page.
How long you can keep driving on a foreign licence once you become a resident is something our research could not confirm. Ask before you rely on it, and check what your insurer requires.
Bringing your own car is a separate question, and customs decides it. The rules differ for temporary and permanent residents. Read Shipping your things.
Check which country issued your licence against the list above. Then read Shipping your things if you plan to bring a car. If you are still choosing how to move, the Route Finder shows the routes you may fit.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, talk to a lawyer
Each route page sets out the test, what you need and what it costs.
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