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 for driving in Chile are 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 its Permiso de Circulación, or vehicle registration certificate.
Carabineros and traffic stops in Chile
Traffic stops are commonplace in Chile. The Chilean police, known as carabineros, 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 bribe Carabineros de Chile as 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 license are 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 of Licencias de Conducir at 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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