Do you need a driver's license? A new mandatory requirement could change your plans.

MEXICO CITY (apro)— Starting August 25, 2025, all applicants for a private driver's license in the state of Puebla must take and pass a practical driving test , according to the Ministry of Mobility and Transportation (SMT). This measure applies to first-time issuance, renewal, and replacement of the document.

Driver skills assessment will be conducted using 30 high-tech simulators that have been distributed across the state's Comprehensive Service Centers (CIS) and the SMT headquarters.

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Silvia Tanús Osorio, head of the SMT (Mexico City Ministry), announced at a press conference on August 6, 2025, that the equipment has already been installed and is undergoing calibration and programming. She explained that the objective of this implementation is to ensure that drivers have the necessary skills to operate a vehicle safely, in compliance with the Mobility and Road Safety Law.

Before the mandatory application comes into effect, a trial and familiarization period will be conducted. This period will begin on Monday, August 11th and run until the 24th of the same month. During this period, applicants who apply will be able to use the simulators voluntarily to learn the system. The result obtained at this stage will not be binding nor will it determine whether they obtain their license.

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"We're going to start conducting technical tests so they can become familiar with the process and see the results, how they're working, and how the exam will be conducted," Tanús Osorio stated.

How will the new exam work?

The simulators are designed to replicate a realistic driving experience. They feature a seat, steering wheel, gear shift, seat belt, and functional dashboards that allow the tester to evaluate the driver's reactions to various road scenarios. These scenarios include obeying traffic signals such as stoplights, driving in adverse weather conditions, interacting with pedestrians, and executing maneuvers such as emergency braking.

The state governor, Alejandro Armenta Mier, has indicated that the devices are capable of automatically detecting violations, such as trespassing on sidewalks or failing to comply with stop signs, which would result in the applicant failing. With this implementation, Puebla joins the few states in the country that use this technology to issue licenses.

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To whom does the new measure apply?

The mandatory practical simulator test will apply starting August 25th to all citizens seeking to obtain a driver's, motorcyclist's, or private driver's license for the first time. It will also be an essential requirement for those needing to renew an expired license or request a replacement due to theft or loss.

The SMT has clarified that permanent driver's licenses issued in previous years will remain valid . However, if the holder of one of these licenses needs to apply for a replacement, they must take a new practical exam to obtain the card.

The implementation of the exams had been previously announced, but faced a delay of almost eight months due to technical issues that, according to the SMT, had to be resolved by the technology provider.

The current cost of a three-year license is 1,015 pesos , and for a five-year license, it is 1,485 pesos.[4] These amounts include a theoretical road knowledge test. Authorities have not reported whether the new practical test will incur additional costs for users.