Motorcyclists who have never obtained a driver's license in Guayaquil face fines of $482 and up to three days of detention under intensified municipal transit controls.
The enforcement drive by the Municipal Transit Authority, known locally as the ATM, focuses on verifying that motorcycle riders hold the required type A driver's license. Drivers caught without ever having processed a license also lose 10 points from their driving record under Ecuador's Comprehensive Organic Penal Code.
Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest coastal city and main commercial port, has seen growing motorcycle traffic in recent years. ATM General Manager Édgar Lupera said the municipal agency established the targeted operation to protect lives and prevent casualties on city streets.
According to transit authority figures, motorcycles account for 40 percent of all registered motor vehicles in Guayaquil. The vehicles are also involved in 49 percent of traffic accidents that result in fatalities across the urban area.
Different penalties for wrong license categories
Transit officials emphasized that driving without any license is legally distinct from operating a vehicle with the wrong category. Drivers who hold a valid license, such as a type B car license, but ride a motorcycle without a type A endorsement commit a category violation.
Under national penal law, driving with the wrong license category carries a stiffer financial penalty of $964, equivalent to 200 percent of Ecuador's 2026 unified basic salary. Offenders also face a 10-point deduction on their driving record and the impoundment of their vehicle for seven days.
To assist riders in coming into compliance, the ATM has established a 30-day regularisation window for motorcyclists caught with the wrong license category. Affected drivers must present a course completion certificate to the National Transit Agency, or ANT, to begin obtaining their type A license.
Mass vehicle impoundments and scrapping
The new enforcement push comes amid a surge in traffic citations involving motorbikes across Guayaquil. So far this year, municipal transit officers have recorded 58,000 traffic infractions against motorcyclists.
The agency currently holds 26,000 impounded vehicles in city lots, of which 22,000 are motorcycles. Of the total impounded fleet, 5,500 vehicles are currently undergoing a mandatory scrapping process.
Requirements and costs for a type A license
First time applicants seeking a type A motorcycle license must complete an in-person application process through the National Transit Agency. Under the 2026 ANT fee schedule, the license costs $68 excluding value-added tax and financial institution transaction fees, and remains valid for five years.
To qualify for the license, applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a non-professional driver title alongside a learner's permit. Candidates must also present a psychosensometric exam certificate, which remains valid for 60 days.
Additional required documentation includes an official identity card, a voting certificate, a blood type certificate issued by the Red Cross, proof of basic education, and a payment receipt.
