Driving in Chile as a United Kingdom National

Chile stretches 4,300 km from desert to glaciers, offering the Carretera Austral, Pan-American Highway, and diverse landscapes. The TAG toll system, extreme geography, and varied climate require careful planning. An IDP is required.

Key Things to Know First

IDP Required

Chile requires an International Driving Permit for foreign visitors. Obtain one in United Kingdom before departure.

How to get an IDP

Drive on the Right — You Are Switching Sides

United Kingdom drives on the left, but Chile drives on the right. Extra caution required at roundabouts, intersections, and after exits.

Tips for switching sides

Speed Signs Use km/h

United Kingdom uses mph, but Chile uses km/h. Verify your GPS or navigation app is set to the correct unit.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rule	United Kingdom	Chile	Change?
Traffic side	Left-hand traffic	Right-hand traffic	Yes
Speed unit	mph	km/h	Yes
IDP required	—	Yes	Yes
Min. driving age	17	18	Differs
Emergency number	999	131	Different
Road difficulty	Moderate	Moderate	—

Speed Limits in Chile

Urban

50-60 km/h

Rural / Open road

80-100 km/h

Highway / Motorway

100-120 km/h

Speed limits in Chile are posted in km/h (kilometres per hour). Quick reference: 50 km/h ≈ 31 mph · 100 km/h ≈ 62 mph · 130 km/h ≈ 81 mph.

Documents to Carry in Chile

Original driving licence from United Kingdom — must be valid and unexpired
International Driving Permit (IDP) — required in Chile. Obtain from your national motoring association before travelling.
Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Chile before departure
Vehicle registration / rental agreement

Emergency Number in Chile

131

Primary emergency number in Chile. Save it before you drive.

Emergency numbers for all countries

Full Chile Driving Guide

Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Chile.

Read the complete guide