You Can Finally Register a New Car in Cuenca Again — Here's What Happened

If you've been sitting on a brand-new car that you couldn't legally drive because the registration system was down — good news. As of Wednesday, February 12, the ANT (Agencia Nacional de Tránsito) has restored new vehicle registration services in Cuenca, along with Loja, Riobamba, and Ambato.

The bad news? The reason it was down in the first place is a corruption scandal that's still unfolding.

What Happened: The "Jaque" Case

In late January, Ecuador's Fiscalía General (Attorney General's office) and the National Police launched Operation Jaque ("Checkmate") — a coordinated raid targeting a corruption network operating inside the ANT.

The investigation alleges that ANT officials were running a criminal ring involving:

• Fraudulent vehicle registrations — issuing legitimate-looking papers for stolen or smuggled vehicles
• Bribery — taking payments to skip inspections or expedite processes
• Document falsification — creating fake vehicle histories

Multiple ANT employees were arrested. The agency's internal systems were temporarily locked down as investigators audited records and secured evidence.

The collateral damage: legitimate vehicle registration services were suspended across most of the country. If you bought a new car from a dealership in late January or early February, you literally could not register it through normal channels.

What's Restored Now

The ANT has brought the new vehicle registration system back online in six cities:

1. Quito (restored earlier)
2. Guayaquil (restored earlier)
3. Cuenca ✅ (as of Feb 12)
4. Loja ✅ (as of Feb 12)
5. Riobamba ✅ (as of Feb 12)
6. Ambato ✅ (as of Feb 12)

Important: This is specifically for new vehicle registration (matriculación de vehículos nuevos). Other ANT services — renewals, transfers, license processing — may still have limitations depending on the office.

How to Register Your Vehicle

The process starts online:

1. Go to the ANT website and access the online services section
2. Select "Revisión Técnica Vehicular" (Vehicle Technical Review)
3. Schedule an appointment — availability depends on demand, so book as soon as possible
4. Bring your vehicle to the inspection center at your scheduled time with all required documents:
   • Original purchase invoice (factura)
   • SOAT (mandatory vehicle insurance)
   • Your cédula or passport
   • Proof of address
5. Pay the registration fee — varies by vehicle type and value

In Cuenca, the technical review is handled through EMOV (the municipal transit authority), so the actual inspection appointment may route through EMOV's system rather than the ANT directly.

Expect Delays

Fair warning: there's going to be a backlog. Everyone who's been waiting since late January will be trying to register simultaneously. If you can wait a week or two past the Carnival holiday, you'll probably face shorter lines.

If you've been driving an unregistered new vehicle out of necessity, know that technically you can receive a multa (fine) for operating without current matriculación. In practice, during this period, most officers have been understanding — but don't push your luck.

The Bigger Picture

The Jaque case is a reminder that institutional corruption in Ecuador isn't abstract — it directly affects daily life. A corruption ring inside the transit authority meant that thousands of law-abiding citizens couldn't complete a basic government procedure for weeks.

The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may follow. For now, the system is back, and you can register your car.

Sources: El Mercurio, El Universo, Primicias