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Driving in Chile

Driving in Chile
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Updated byAnne-Lise Mtyon 26 February 2020

While in Chile on a tourist visa, you may drive with the driver's license from your country of origin or an International Driver's License. You may also rent a car with an International Driver's License and purchase the necessary insurance. Once you are granted temporary residency, you must get a Chilean driver's license.

Driving laws in Chile

The laws and rules fordriving in Chileare similar to most places. Here are a few tips for new drivers in Chile:

  • Seat belts are mandatory.
  • You should not eat, smoke, or talk on a cell phone while driving unless you have a headset for hands-free driving.
  • Don't turn right on red; wait for the green turn light.
  • Pedestrians always have the right of way, especially in the crosswalks.
  • Parking in towns is usually managed by attendants on each block or around the city plaza. They will give you a ticket when you park or leave one on your windshield, and then you pay them when you leave.
  • The legal limit for blood alcohol levels is 30 mg per 100 ml which is lower than the USA and the UK. One drink can bring you over this limit so essentially, don't drink and drive in Chile.
  • Always carry proper identification, including your driver's license and passport or RUT card (national ID card).
  • Make sure the car has itsPermiso de Circulación,or vehicle registration certificate.

Carabineros and traffic stops in Chile

Traffic stops are commonplace in Chile. The Chilean police, known as cԱDz,frequently set up roadblocks for random checks. These are not to worry about as long as you have all the documents previously mentioned and haven't been drinking. Never try to bribeCarabineros de Chileas this would only lead to trouble!

Speed limits in Chile

Speed limits are not always clearly marked, especially in small towns and in the countryside, but the general rule is: in a city or town, the rate will vary between 40 km/h and 60 km/h whereas on highways outside of towns, the limit is 100 km/h, and finally, on motorways, such as Ruta 5, the limit is between 100 km/h and 120 km/h.

The roads in Chile are very well maintained. Even the dirt roads are regularly scraped and in good to fair condition. Most things are well-marked with signs, and it is fairly easy to navigate around the country using a map or GPS.

Requirements for a driver's license in Chile

General requirements for a Chilean driver's licenseare the following:

  • The applicant is aged 18 or older
  • A Chilean Identification Card (RUT card)
  • School record to demonstrate that the applicant has an 8th-grade education or higher, apostilled and/or properly authenticated
  • Successful completion of the written and practical driving tests, and a medical evaluation which is the vision test

It does not matter if you have had a driver's license in your country of origin for 50 years, you still must take the written and visual tests. The driver's test, now offered in both Spanish and English, is taken at the office ofLicencias de Conducirat your closest municipality. They may let you off the hook for the driving part of the test if you have had a driver's license elsewhere, but this isn't guaranteed!

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We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

Anne-Lise studied Psychology for 4 years in the UK before finding her way back to Mauritius and being a journalist for 3 years and heading 's editorial department for 5. She loves politics, books, tea, running, swimming, hiking...

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