Can a British Driver Drive in Peru? — IDP Advised + Altitude Roads

Can a British licence holder drive in Peru? Yes — your UK licence is valid for visitors for up to six months, and you should carry an International Driving Permit with it. The IDP is what rental desks in Lima and roadside police expect to see alongside your licence and passport, so treat it as standard kit rather than optional. Arrange it in the UK before you fly.

Two things make driving in Peru harder than the paperwork suggests. First, the side switch: Britain drives on the left, Peru drives on the right, and your road position, roundabout direction and junction instincts all flip. Second, and more serious, the terrain. Peru’s road network is rated challenging — the Andean routes run narrow and high, with limited guardrails, sheer drops, sudden weather and the simple fact that altitude dulls your reactions. Combine the side switch with a mountain pass on your first day and you are loading two demands at once; far better to find your feet on flatter coastal roads first.

Speeds are low where it matters. Town limits drop to around 35 km/h, rural roads sit near 80 km/h, and the main highways reach 100 km/h. Because the urban threshold is so low, it is easy to drift over it without realising — a typical minor speeding fine lands around PEN 176 (roughly €42). The alcohol limit is 0.05 BAC, below the UK’s 0.08, so leave drinking out of any driving day entirely.

Fuel runs to about $1.25 per litre, and the police emergency number is 105 rather than the 112 you are used to — worth saving, as signal drops out in the mountains. Carry your documents at all times; checkpoints are routine on intercity roads.

Check exactly what you need with the Driving Permit Checker, read the full rules on the Peru driving guide, and estimate any penalty with the Speeding Fine Calculator.