International Driver's License for Chile

Chile asks visitors from abroad to present an International Driver's License together with their valid home license to drive. The IDL is an official translation of your domestic license that helps Carabineros and rental companies in Chile read your credentials. It works alongside your national license rather than replacing it, so carry both. Apply online through E-ITA and access your digital documents in minutes.

In Chile, an International Driving Permit (also called an International Driver's License) is a booklet that translates your existing national license into several languages so local officials and rental desks can understand it. It has no authority on its own — you present it with your valid home license, and without that original license the booklet is not accepted at a checkpoint or counter.

Chile drives on the right side of the road. The country's geography ranges from desert highways in the north to mountain and lake-district routes in the south, so adjust to conditions and watch for changing speed limits between cities and open road.

* People drive on the right side of the road.

* The minimum age to drive a car is 17. The minimum age to rent a car is 21.

* Chile has a national seat belt law — always wear a seat belt where one is fitted.

* Handheld mobile phone use while driving is prohibited; a hands-free device is permitted.

* Helmets are required by law for both riders and passengers on a motorcycle or scooter; there is no age restriction for a child passenger as long as they wear a helmet.

* The maximum speed is 60 km/h (37 mph) in urban areas and 100 km/h (62 mph) on rural roads.

The legal blood alcohol limit in Chile is a strict 0.03%, and Carabineros enforce it with roadside checks. Because that threshold is low, the reliable choice is not to drink at all before driving, as offences carry penalties on top of rental and insurance complications.

Car rental companies in Chile commonly ask for an International Driver's License with your home license, and generally require renters to be at least 21 even though the driving age is 17. Having the IDL ready smooths the pickup and helps if you need to make an insurance claim.

It's best to arrange your IDL before travelling to Chile, but E-ITA's online application means you can apply after arrival and get a digital copy within minutes for a rental desk if you left it late. The physical booklet is the preferred document to carry, so order in time for it to reach you.

An International Driver's License is generally valid for up to a year and only while your home license is valid, which suits tourists and short-term visitors in Chile. If you become a resident, you should look into obtaining a Chilean driver's license rather than relying on the IDL.

Anyone holding a valid national driver's license who meets Chile's minimum driving age of 17 can apply. Because the IDL only translates a licence you already hold, you must have that licence first — E-ITA produces the translation booklet, not the driving entitlement.