Overview
The Balotario MTC is the question bank for the driving knowledge exam (examen de conocimientos, also called the rules of the road exam) that every applicant for a Peruvian driving licence (brevete) must pass. The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), through its General Directorate of Land Transport, writes, updates and publishes the question bank. The exam itself is held at authorised evaluation centres. The sources are in Spanish and were read in Spanish.
Who can apply
Anyone applying for a driving licence takes the exam. The MTC publishes a separate question bank for each class and category:
Non-professional licences: Class A Category I, and Class B Category II-A and II-B.
Professional licences: Class A Category II-A, II-B, III-A, III-B and III-C, and Class B Category II-C.
Exam pattern
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-based, multiple choice, taken on a computer assigned to you |
| Questions | 40, drawn at random from the question bank |
| Time | 40 minutes at most; the exam ends when time runs out or you finish |
| Pass mark | At least 35 of 40 correct |
| Identity | Fingerprint (biometric) identification before the exam |
The exam rules and topics below come from Directive 004-2016-MTC/15, approved by Directoral Resolution 3748-2016-MTC/15 in August 2016. The MTC still links this directive as the topic list on its current knowledge-exam page, and no later directive replacing it was found on the MTC pages read. Under it, the 40 questions for Class A Category I and Class B Category II-A and II-B all cover the general topics. For the other (professional) categories, 20 questions are general and 20 are specific to the category. The system shows the start and end time during the exam and warns you 5 minutes before it ends. You may not consult other candidates, use phones or electronic devices, or use any materials.
Syllabus
General topics, for all classes:
Driver obligations under the national traffic regulation: definitions, road control devices, how drivers and pedestrians use the road, required documents, general rules and speed limits, vehicle registration, infractions and penalties.
The land transport service and its classification.
Efficient driving.
Basic vehicle mechanics.
The driver licence system: classification, obtaining and revalidating a licence.
Road accident insurance, including SOAT.
First aid after traffic accidents.
Technical requirements for vehicles and vehicle inspection.
The national single licence plate.
Category-specific topics for professional licences include regulation of passenger or cargo transport, vehicle technical requirements, hazardous goods for some of the heavier categories, and mechanics for driving.
Marking and results
The exam is marked by the system as correct answers out of 40, with 35 needed. The result is shown on screen as soon as the exam ends, with the number of correct, incorrect and unanswered questions and the final grade. Staff print the result sheet from the National Drivers System and give it to you.
How to apply
The exam is taken by appointment. According to the MTC, in Lima it is held at the Touring y Automovil Club del Peru, and in other regions at evaluation centres authorised by the MTC. Fees were not stated in the sources read, so check with the centre.
Preparation tips
Download the question bank for your class and category from the MTC site and study it.
The MTC offers a free online exam simulator, available 24 hours a day, with questions similar to the real exam and adapted to the category.
Use a quiet space and a stable connection when using the simulator.
Is the exam the same for every licence category?
The format is the same: 40 questions, 40 minutes, 35 correct to pass. The content differs, because each class and category has its own question bank, and professional categories include category-specific questions.