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Country driving guide · 2026

Driving in Chile

Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Chile: 9 legal requirements + 9 other things worth knowing.

9

Required

2

Recommended

7

Good to know

Tick before you go

Pre-departure checklist for Chile

9 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.

  • Full UK/EU licence plus IDP (1949 Convention)

    Carry your home licence at all times; an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention is required for rentals and strongly advised at police checks.

  • Passport with entry stamp / PDI card

    Keep your passport and the Tarjeta de Turismo (PDI slip) issued on arrival in the vehicle: Carabineros routinely ask for both at controls.

  • Mandatory SOAP insurance

    All vehicles must carry SOAP (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes Personales); rental cars include it but verify the certificate is in the glovebox.

  • Drive on the right

    Traffic drives on the right; overtaking on the left only. No turn on red unless a green arrow is shown.

  • Speed limits 120 / 100 / 50 km/h

    Motorway (autopista) 120 km/h, rural roads 100 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h. Cameras and Carabineros enforce strictly with on-the-spot fines.

  • Strict 0.3 g/L alcohol limit

    BAC limit is 0.3 g/L (effectively one small drink); 0.8 g/L counts as drunk driving with immediate licence suspension and possible jail.

  • Headlights on rural highways

    Dipped headlights are mandatory day and night on all interurban routes outside cities: failure to comply is a common fine for tourists.

  • TAG free-flow tolls in Santiago

    Santiago's urban motorways (Costanera Norte, Vespucio, Autopista Central) use free-flow TAG transponders only: rentals must include a TAG or you face heavy daily penalties.

  • Warning triangle, hi-vis vest and extinguisher

    Two reflective triangles, a hi-vis vest, a fire extinguisher and a basic first-aid kit must be carried; rentals are normally pre-equipped but check before driving off.

Documents

Full UK/EU licence plus IDP (1949 Convention)

Required

Carry your home licence at all times; an International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention is required for rentals and strongly advised at police checks.

Passport with entry stamp / PDI card

Required

Keep your passport and the Tarjeta de Turismo (PDI slip) issued on arrival in the vehicle: Carabineros routinely ask for both at controls.

Mandatory SOAP insurance

Required

All vehicles must carry SOAP (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes Personales); rental cars include it but verify the certificate is in the glovebox.

Notarised permission for cross-border trips

Recommended

If taking a rental into Argentina/Peru/Bolivia you need a notarised authorisation letter from the rental company plus extra insurance: arrange 48h ahead.

Emergency numbers 133 / 131

Good to know

Carabineros (police) 133, ambulance 131, fire 132. Roadside assistance via the Automóvil Club de Chile (ACCHI) on 600 464 4040.

Driving rules

Drive on the right

Required

Traffic drives on the right; overtaking on the left only. No turn on red unless a green arrow is shown.

Speed limits 120 / 100 / 50 km/h

Required

Motorway (autopista) 120 km/h, rural roads 100 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h. Cameras and Carabineros enforce strictly with on-the-spot fines.

Strict 0.3 g/L alcohol limit

Required

BAC limit is 0.3 g/L (effectively one small drink); 0.8 g/L counts as drunk driving with immediate licence suspension and possible jail.

Headlights on rural highways

Required

Dipped headlights are mandatory day and night on all interurban routes outside cities: failure to comply is a common fine for tourists.

Tolls

TAG free-flow tolls in Santiago

Required

Santiago's urban motorways (Costanera Norte, Vespucio, Autopista Central) use free-flow TAG transponders only: rentals must include a TAG or you face heavy daily penalties.

Ruta 5 ticket tolls (~CLP 3,000–4,000 per plaza)

Good to know

The Pan-American Ruta 5 uses manned toll plazas every 60–100 km; budget roughly CLP 8,000–12,000 (EUR 8–12) per 100 km of motorway, payable in cash or card.

Required equipment

Warning triangle, hi-vis vest and extinguisher

Required

Two reflective triangles, a hi-vis vest, a fire extinguisher and a basic first-aid kit must be carried; rentals are normally pre-equipped but check before driving off.

Snow chains for Andean passes (May–Sep)

Recommended

Chains are mandatory when posted on routes to ski resorts and Andean border crossings (Los Libertadores, Pino Hachado) in winter: Carabineros turn back vehicles without them.

Environment

Mountain pass closures in winter

Good to know

The Los Libertadores pass to Mendoza, Argentina closes frequently June–September for snow; check Dirección de Vialidad before heading east.

Patagonia ferries and Carretera Austral

Good to know

South of Puerto Montt the Carretera Austral (Ruta 7) requires multiple ferry crossings: book Naviera Austral / Somarco well in advance in summer.

Emissions / low-emission zones

Santiago restricción vehicular

Good to know

Santiago restricts non-catalytic vehicles by last plate digit on smog-alert days (Apr–Aug); modern rentals are exempt but check daily alerts on the Intendencia website.

Money

Currency CLP; fuel ~EUR 1.20–1.40/L

Good to know

Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). Petrol runs around CLP 1,250/L (~EUR 1.30). Card is accepted at all major stations; tip the bencinero CLP 500–1,000.

USD 10,000 cash declaration at border

Good to know

Amounts over USD 10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared to Aduanas on entry; fresh food, meat and dairy are prohibited and SAG inspections are strict.

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Drive on the right

Required

Traffic drives on the right; overtaking on the left only. No turn on red unless a green arrow is shown.

Speed limits 120 / 100 / 50 km/h

Required

Motorway (autopista) 120 km/h, rural roads 100 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h. Cameras and Carabineros enforce strictly with on-the-spot fines.

Strict 0.3 g/L alcohol limit

Required

BAC limit is 0.3 g/L (effectively one small drink); 0.8 g/L counts as drunk driving with immediate licence suspension and possible jail.

Headlights on rural highways

Required

Dipped headlights are mandatory day and night on all interurban routes outside cities: failure to comply is a common fine for tourists.