Can a Canadian Drive in Chile? — Yes, IDP Recommended + a 0.03 Limit

Ruta 5 runs almost the full length of Chile, and a hire car is the natural way to see the Atacama, the central valleys and the Lakes District. For a Canadian the switch is mild: same side of the road, a licence that is accepted as it is. The rules that do differ are the alcohol bands and a lower town speed limit.

Your licence, plus a permit for peace of mind

Chile’s traffic law lets foreign tourists drive for the length of their tourist stay on a valid licence from home that matches a Chilean class B, and Global Affairs Canada sets that at 90 days. Ottawa also says to carry an International Driving Permit as a supporting document; Canada and Chile are both parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention, so the CAA permit is recognised. The same article lets a court ask for an official translation of a foreign licence, which the IDP covers. Keep licence, permit and passport together. The Driving Permit Checker runs other pairings.

Same side as home

Chile drives on the right, as Canada does, so junctions and roundabouts feel familiar from the first block. The surprises are physical rather than procedural: glare and long straight stretches in the north, and Andean passes towards Argentina that close in winter snow.

Two alcohol bands

The Ley de Tránsito treats more than 0.3 g/l of alcohol in the blood as driving bajo la influencia del alcohol, and 0.8 g/l or more as estado de ebriedad, driving while drunk. In Canadian terms the lower line is 0.03%, while the 0.08% you know from the Criminal Code is where Chile’s harsher category begins. Global Affairs Canada warns of licence suspension, fines and detention. Plan on no alcohol at all on driving days.

Limits and fines

Article 145 sets 50 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads with one lane each way and 120 km/h on rural roads with two or more lanes in the same direction. Speed cases start only above a 5 km/h tolerance. Up to 10 km/h over is a less serious offence fined 0.5 to 1 UTM, the monthly tax unit; 11 to 20 km/h over costs 1 to 1.5 UTM, and more than that 1.5 to 3 UTM. The Chile driving guide has the wider rulebook, and the Speeding Fine Calculator helps with estimates.

In the car

Article 75 requires a car to carry a fire extinguisher, emergency warning devices and a spare wheel with the tools to fit it; a first-aid kit is only compulsory on goods vehicles, buses and school transport. Check the hire car has the first three before you leave the lot. In an emergency call 133 for police, 131 for an ambulance and 132 for firefighters.

Sources

• Chile, DFL 1 (2007) Ley de Tránsito, arts. 5, 75, 110-111, 145, 203-204 (tourist licence; equipment; 0.3 and 0.8 g/l; 50/100/120 km/h; 5 km/h tolerance; UTM fine bands): bcn.cl
• Global Affairs Canada, Chile travel advice (90 days on a Canadian licence; carry an IDP; zero tolerance; 133/131/132): travel.gc.ca
• UN Treaty Collection, 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (Canada acceded 1965; Chile 1960): treaties.un.org
• WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Chile profile (50/100/120 km/h; BAC 0.03 g/dl): who.int