Argentina drives on the right at 40/110/130 km/h, allows no alcohol at all and licenses drivers from 17. Watch the 40 km/h street limit; phone fines apply even at a red light.
Driving in Argentina 2026: Right Side, 130 km/h Motorways
Data verified:
5 min readArgentina drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 17. The motorway speed limit is 130 km/h. The general emergency number is 911. Alcohol is zero tolerance (0.00% BAC). Visitors need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their national licence.
Zero tolerance nationwide since 3 May 2023 (Ley 27.714)
Argentina has banned driving with any alcohol in the blood since Law 27.714 of May 2023, far stricter than the US 0.08%, and a 20+ km/h speeding ticket runs EUR 30-90. Police routinely set checkpoints on Friday and Saturday nights around Buenos Aires.
Driving Difficulty: Argentina
Buenos Aires intense, long-distance roads good, Patagonia remote
3/5 · Moderate (TyreMap difficulty index)
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Driving the Ruta 40 | Argentina Travel Vlog · Brendan van Son
Argentina drives on the right, and 130 km/h is the fastest legal speed on any of its roads — reserved for motorways, against 110 km/h on the rural network and just 40 km/h in built-up areas. The blood-alcohol limit is zero, licences start at 17, and a handheld phone draws a fine even while you are stopped at a red light.
Your case: Argentine distances are long enough that the gap between a 130 km/h motorway and the 40 km/h crawl through Buenos Aires decides your whole day — price the fuel and hours for your own legs in the Road Trip Cost Calculator.
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Emergency Numbers in Argentina
General Emergency: 911 | Police: 101 | Ambulance: 107 | Fire: 100
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Argentina, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Argentina
The default speed limits for passenger cars in Argentina are 40 km/h in built-up areas, 110 km/h on rural roads, and 130 km/h on motorways.
Trucks and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits: 40 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, and 80 km/h on motorways.
For comparison, motorway limits in nearby countries: Brazil (110 km/h), Chile (120 km/h), Uruguay (110 km/h).
Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.
Speeding Fines and Penalties
Other common fines:
- Mobile phone use while driving: ARS 20,000-50,000 (approx. EUR 20-50)
- Running a red light: ARS 30,000-90,000 (approx. EUR 30-90)
- Seatbelt violation: ARS 10,000-30,000 (approx. EUR 10-30)
Traffic Rules and Regulations
Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, enter counter-clockwise and yield to traffic already circulating.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.
Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal. The fine is ARS 20,000-50,000 (approx. EUR 20-50). Use hands-free devices only.
Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night. Some areas require headlights at all times.
Priority at intersections follows posted signs. When no signs are present, yield to traffic from the right.
Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits
In practice that means no drink at all before driving: a single glass of wine is already over the line.
Tyre Requirements and Regulations
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.
Studded tyres are allowed in Argentina during winter months. Check specific dates and conditions.
For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Argentina guide.
Mandatory Vehicle Equipment
Vehicles in Argentina must carry the following:
Required:
- Warning triangle
- Reflective vest (high-visibility)
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Spare bulbs
Keep all equipment accessible — not buried under luggage. Police may check during routine stops.
Driving License Requirements
The minimum driving age is 17 years.
IDP required for foreign visitors alongside national licence.
Parking and Fuel
Parking rules vary by city. Look for designated parking areas and always check signs for time limits and payment requirements.
We do not hold a verified, dated fuel price for Argentina, so check a local price app or the board at the station before you budget.
Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.
Seasonal Driving Conditions
Plan your journey according to regional weather patterns and avoid driving at night on unfamiliar rural roads.
Useful Driving Phrases in Spanish
Knowing a few phrases in Spanish helps at fuel stations, toll booths, and during police checks:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Where is the nearest petrol station? | ¿Dónde está la gasolinera más cercana? |
| I need help / roadside assistance | Necesito ayuda / asistencia en carretera |
| Where can I park? | ¿Dónde puedo aparcar? |
| How do I get to the motorway? | ¿Cómo llego a la autopista? |
| I had an accident | He tenido un accidente |
| Speed limit | Límite de velocidad |
| No parking | Prohibido aparcar |
| One way street | Calle de sentido único |
| Toll road | Autopista de peaje |
| Fill up the tank, please | Lleno, por favor |
Download the Spanish language pack in your translation app for offline use.
Practical Driving Tips for Argentina
- Download offline maps of Argentina before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
- Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
- Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.
Related tools
Speed Limits in Argentina
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural | 110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Motorway | 130 km/h | 80 km/h |
Traffic Fines in Argentina
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Mobile phone use while driving | ARS 20,000-50,000 (approx. EUR 20-50) |
| No seatbelt | ARS 10,000-30,000 (approx. EUR 10-30) |
| Running a red light | ARS 30,000-90,000 (approx. EUR 30-90) |
| Speeding (1-10 km/h over) | ARS 10,000-30,000 (approx. EUR 10-30) varies by province |
| Speeding (11-20 km/h over) | ARS 30,000-90,000 (approx. EUR 30-90) |
| Speeding (21-30+ km/h over) | ARS 90,000+ (approx. EUR 90+) + licence suspension |
Penalties may vary by region and circumstances. Always check current local regulations.
Useful Driving Phrases in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Where is the nearest petrol station? | ¿Dónde está la gasolinera más cercana? |
| I need help / roadside assistance | Necesito ayuda / asistencia en carretera |
| Where can I park? | ¿Dónde puedo aparcar? |
| How do I get to the motorway? | ¿Cómo llego a la autopista? |
| I had an accident | He tenido un accidente |
| Speed limit | Límite de velocidad |
| No parking | Prohibido aparcar |
| One way street | Calle de sentido único |
| Toll road | Autopista de peaje |
| Fill up the tank, please | Lleno, por favor |
Mandatory Equipment in Argentina
Winter tyres in Argentina — 2026–27 season
Winter tyres are required in Argentina whenever conditions are wintry — June - September (Patagonia, Andean regions).
- Tread minimum: 1.6 mm — Argentina sets no separate winter figure.
- Studded tyres: allowed in season
Checked against national legislation · Full Argentina tyre law · Compare all countries
Licence Requirements for Foreign Drivers
IDP required for foreign visitors alongside national licence.
Emergency Numbers in Argentina
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Tyre Laws in Argentina
Winter tyre requirements, tread depth rules, and studded tyre regulations.
View tyre regulationsAvoid a fine in Argentina
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Argentina on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Argentina?
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Recent changes to this page
- Undated, unsourced fuel price estimate removed.
- Alcohol limit corrected from 0.05% to zero: Law 27.714 (Boletín Oficial, 3 May 2023) rewrote article 48 of national traffic law 24.449, banning driving with any alcohol in the blood. Description and quick answer updated.
- Opening paragraph re-led with the side of the road alongside the 130 km/h motorway figure, matching what readers actually search for, and bridged to the road-trip cost tool; title, description and quick answer rewritten. The stock speed-limit/BAC recap line that followed the intro was dropped as it now repeated the opening answer word for word.
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
- Replaced the speeding-fine calculator link: that tool covers 17 countries and Argentina is not one of them, so the link could not answer the question it promised. It now points to the speed-limit map, which does cover Argentina.
- Rewrote title and description around the verified figure this page carries.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Argentina, the default speed limits for passenger vehicles are: urban areas 40 km/h (25 mph), rural roads 110 km/h (68 mph), and motorways 130 km/h (81 mph). Always follow posted signs as limits may differ on specific roads.
In Argentina, traffic drives on the right side of the road. Vehicles have the steering wheel on the left side. If you are visiting from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at intersections, roundabouts, and when overtaking.
Foreign visitors to Argentina should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their valid national driving license. An IDP translates your license into multiple languages and is recognized internationally. Check with the embassy of Argentina for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres in Argentina are: Situational. The regulated period is: June - September (Patagonia, Andean regions). Regardless of legal requirements, winter tyres or all-season tyres with the appropriate markings (M+S or 3PMSF) are strongly recommended when temperatures drop below 7°C for improved safety and grip.
The general emergency number in Argentina is 911. For police specifically, dial 101. These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, be prepared to state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Argentina. Hands-free systems (Bluetooth, speakerphone, or mounted devices) are permitted. Penalties for mobile phone use while driving typically include fines. For safety, always use hands-free solutions or pull over to use your phone.
When driving in Argentina, you should always carry: your valid driving license (and IDP if applicable), vehicle registration document, valid insurance certificate (Green Card for European countries), and your passport or national ID. Rental car drivers should also carry the rental agreement. Police may request these documents during routine checks.
The minimum age to drive a car in Argentina is 17 years old. Some categories of vehicles (such as motorcycles or heavy vehicles) may have different age requirements. Novice drivers may face additional restrictions during their first years of driving.
Driving in Argentina is generally safe for tourists who are prepared. Before driving, familiarize yourself with local traffic rules, road signs, and driving customs. Consider downloading offline maps, carrying emergency supplies, and purchasing comprehensive insurance. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas if possible.
Key fines in Argentina that catch tourists: mobile phone use while driving (ARS 20,000-50,000 (approx. EUR 20-50)), not wearing a seatbelt (ARS 10,000-30,000 (approx. EUR 10-30)). Police in some countries can demand immediate payment from foreign drivers. Always carry local currency or a credit card for potential fines.
For Argentina: An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for non-EU licence holders. Your licence is valid for up to 6 months. Always carry your original licence alongside the IDP.
Get Driving Law Updates
Speed limits, fines and tyre laws change frequently. Get monthly updates for the countries you drive in.
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