Traffic fines in Nicaragua: amounts, licence retention and how to pay
If you are fined, the officer keeps your licence and gives you a provisional permit for 30 days. You pay at a bank or tax office and collect your licence.
How it works
- The officer gives you a numbered ticket (boleta) stating the offence.
- Your licence is retained and you get a provisional permit valid for 30 days.
- Pay within 30 days at any tax office (Administración de Rentas) or bank branch, with the ticket.
- One extension of up to 30 days is possible with a 20% surcharge; unpaid fines double.
- You can appeal a fine to the competent authority.
Main fines (Law 431, Art. 26)
| Offence | C$ |
|---|---|
| Extreme drunkenness (over 2 g/L) | 5,000 |
| Drunkenness (1–2 g/L) or drugs | 4,000 |
| Reckless driving (30% over the limit) | 3,000 |
| Speeding | 2,500 |
| Hit-and-run | 2,500 |
| No third-party insurance (car) | 1,500 |
| Light drunkenness (0.5–1 g/L) | 1,000 |
| Illegal U-turn | 1,000 |
| Quad in an unauthorised area | 700 |
| No helmet on a motorbike | 500 |
| Overtaking on a solid line or curve | 500 |
| No seat belt / no child seat | 350 |
| Handheld phone | 250 |
| Not carrying your licence | 160 |
Serious offences (drunkenness, drugs, reckless driving, hit-and-run and speeding) can bring a 3-month to 1-year licence suspension even the first time.
Sources: Law 431 (consolidated text), La Gaceta No. 09, 18 Jan 2024.
Updated: 2026-11-13