Driving in Chile

As a tourist

If you are in Chile as a tourist  you can drive within the country with your foreign driver’s license or an International Driving Permit (carrying your passport all the time).

“Nationals from other countries, who remain in Chile as tourists, will be able to drive a motorized vehicle during the duration of the respective tourism authorization, carrying a valid driver license, granted according to their country’s laws, equivalent to a Non-Professional Class B License, contemplated in article 12”. (article 5° second paragraph of the Traffic Law: http://bit.ly/2qfLRFu).

With a visa

However, if you are residing in Chile, meaning you already obtained a visa (temporary, subject to contract or student visa) you must obtain a Chilean driver’s license in the Municipality of the commune in which you live.

Requirements (Class B license):

• Domicile in the respective commune (residency certificate issued by Carabineros de Chile).
• Valid Identity Card.
• You must have graduated from Primary School (certificate issued by the educational establishment).
• You must be 18 years of age.
• If you are 17 years old you can still obtain this license if you approved a course in a  Drivers School and have your parent’s consent (or legal guardian). However, you will have to drive with the presence of a person who has been a license holder (Chilean drivers license) for at least 5 years, until you turn 18.

Exams to perform:

• Physical (sensometric).
• Psychic (psychometric).
• Medical interview (evaluation performed at the respective municipality).
• Theoretical (You have to study with the “New Driver’s Handbook”: http://bit.ly/2lPgdZH).
• Practical.

Speed limit in Chile

1. In urban zones, the speed limit is 60 km/h.

2. In rural zones:

• Roads with one circulation track in each direction: the speed limit is 100 km/h.
• Roads with two or more circulation tracks in the same direction: the speed limit is  120 km/h.

3. Both in urban and rural zones, vehicles can’t circulate at more than 30 km/h in school zones in the times of entry and exit of students.

Drinking and driving

You are “under the influence of alcohol” with 0,3 grams per litre of blood y and drunk with 0,8 grams per litre of blood.

Use of cell phone or any other telecommunication devices

It is strictly forbidden to use the cell phone or any other telecommunication device while you are driving unless you are using them through headphones or a bluetooth system.

Safety belt

The use of safety belt is mandatory in front and back seats.