🇨🇱 Drive Chile with Confidence
Know the rules. Carry the right documents. Enjoy the road.
Do You Need an IDP in Chile?
Recommended — Your Own Licence Covers the First 3 Months
Chile does not oblige foreign visitors to hold an International Driving Permit. A valid photocard licence from your home country is accepted for 3 months from arrival. What Chile does insist on is proof of your tourist status — keep your passport and your tourist card (tarjeta de turismo) or entry stamp in the vehicle. An IDP is an official translation of your licence, and that is its real value here: it shortens a Carabineros roadside check on Ruta 5 and settles the question at a rental counter when your licence is not in Spanish.
Atacama & Patagonia Note
If driving in the Atacama Desert or Patagonia, distances between towns and fuel stations can exceed 200 km. Always fill up when you can, carry extra water and supplies, and inform someone of your route. Cell coverage is limited in remote areas.
Driving Rules in Chile
Drive on the Right
Chile drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive vehicles. Ruta 5 (Pan-American Highway) is the main north–south artery and is mostly well-maintained dual carriageway with tolls.
Ruta 5 Tolls
Ruta 5 uses electronic toll collection (TAG). Rental cars usually come with a TAG device — confirm this at pickup. Without one, you will receive toll violation notices. Manual payment is available at some plazas.
Atacama & Patagonia Extremes
The Atacama Desert has scorching daytime heat and freezing nights. Patagonia brings fierce winds that can push vehicles off course. Both regions have long stretches without services. Carry emergency supplies at all times.
Speed Limits
Urban roads: 50–60 km/h. Highways: 120 km/h. School zones: 30 km/h. Speed cameras are common on Ruta 5 and around Santiago. Fines are issued automatically and can be significant.
Renting a Car in Chile
Chile has excellent rental infrastructure, especially in Santiago, Punta Arenas, and San Pedro de Atacama. Road trips here rank among the best in South America.
Required Documents
Your original driver's license, passport, and a credit card for the deposit — plus an IDP if the company's terms list one, which many do. Minimum age is typically 21–23. Cross-border travel to Argentina requires special permission from the rental company.
Typical Costs
Compact cars from CLP 25,000–40,000/day ($28–45 USD). SUVs for Patagonia from $60–100/day. Full insurance is highly recommended for gravel roads and remote regions.
Top Rental Companies
Europcar Chile — Wide coverage including Patagonia. Hertz — Major airports and city locations. Econorent — Local chain with competitive rates and good 4x4 fleet.
Get Your IDP for Chile — From $29
Digital delivery in 1–2 business days (express as fast as 2 hours). Physical copy shipped worldwide. Valid for 1 year.
Apply Now →Returning to Chile? Renew your IDP with 10% loyalty discount →
Chile IDP FAQ
No. Chile accepts a valid photocard licence from your home country for 3 months from arrival, so an IDP is not a legal requirement. Chile does ask for proof of tourist status, though — keep your passport and your tarjeta de turismo or entry stamp in the vehicle. Most visitors still carry an IDP because it is an official translation of their licence, which shortens Carabineros checks and rental pickups.
It depends on the company. Chilean rental agencies set their own conditions, and many — including Europcar, Hertz and Econorent — ask for an IDP alongside your licence, passport and credit card, particularly when your licence is not in Spanish. Check your rental terms before you fly; carrying an IDP removes the argument at the counter.
The Carretera Austral is one of the world's great road trips but requires preparation. Much of the route is unpaved gravel. Fuel stations are sparse, weather changes rapidly, and ferry crossings are required at several points. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.