Paraguay on an Indian Licence — IDP Advised, Zero Alcohol, the Side Switch

Paraguay is one of South America’s quieter self-drive countries, landlocked between Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia, with long flat roads through ranch country once you leave Asunción. For an Indian visitor the licence is straightforward; the alcohol rule and the side switch are what actually need attention.

The verdict for Indian licence holders

You can drive in Paraguay on your Indian licence, with an International Driving Permit advised to carry alongside it. Rental desks in Asunción prefer to see the IDP with your Indian licence and passport — it acts as a recognised translation and avoids disputes. Sort it in India before you fly, as you cannot obtain one locally.

Zero alcohol — stricter than home

This is the rule to remember: Paraguay runs a 0.0 drink-drive limit, a flat ban that is tighter than India’s 0.03. There is no “one drink with dinner” allowance — if you are driving, do not drink at all. Enforcement is real, particularly around Asunción and on weekend nights.

Left to right, and slow in town

India drives on the left; Paraguay drives on the right. The switch is the main first-day hazard — the reflex glance the wrong way, joining a roundabout that flows the opposite direction. Take your first hour on quiet roads rather than in Asunción traffic. Town limits are a low 40 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h and motorways 110 km/h, but condition matters more than the sign: away from the main paved routes, roads turn to red dirt that floods in the rain, and you will meet livestock, slow trucks and unlit vehicles after dark.

Fuel is around $1.02 a litre. The emergency number here is 911, not the 112 you know from India. We have no verified on-the-spot speeding fine figure for Paraguay, so this page won’t invent one — pay any roadside penalty against an official receipt.

Before you collect the car

Bring your IDP, Indian licence and passport, and confirm the paperwork with the Driving Permit Checker. Read the full rules on our Paraguay driving guide, and the Speed Limit Map is a quick way to picture the limits before you arrive.