ChileChile

Drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Normally overtake on the left. After overtaking, return to the right when there is sufficient safe distance.

Call 133 for Carabineros police emergencies, 131 for SAMU ambulance services and 132 for the Fire Department.

Chile's first statutory alcohol threshold is 0.3 g/L of blood. From 0.3 g/L to below 0.8 g/L a driver is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol, while 0.8 g/L or more is classified as driving while intoxicated. The safest rule is not to drink before driving.

Chile's legislation is commonly known as Ley Tolerancia Cero, but this does not mean that the statutory threshold is literally 0.0 g/L. The law uses 0.3 g/L as the threshold for driving under the influence and 0.8 g/L for intoxication.

The general maximum speed in urban areas is 50 km/h, unless a different limit is posted.

For light vehicles, the general maximum is 100 km/h on rural roads with one traffic lane in each direction.

Yes. On rural roads with two or more lanes in the same direction, the general maximum for light vehicles is 120 km/h, unless a different limit is posted.

The maximum is 30 km/h in school zones during the times when pupils are entering or leaving school.

Yes. The competent road authority may establish higher or lower limits for a particular road or section following the applicable technical criteria, so posted signs take precedence.

No. Chile does not use a nationwide vignette. Tolls are charged on particular concessioned motorways and highways.

Payment depends on the road. Many urban and interurban motorways use TAG electronic tolling and Free Flow gantries, while some roads also use other payment arrangements or toll plazas.

Drivers without an active TAG must use the payment or regularisation method provided for that motorway. There is no single payment method covering every Free Flow road, although mechanisms such as daily passes and post-payment systems are available on participating routes.

Yes. Seat belts are compulsory for occupants in both the front and rear seats where the vehicle is required to have them.

Yes. Children must use an appropriate child restraint system until they turn 9 years old; CONASET also identifies the size threshold as 135 cm and 33 kg. The restraint must be appropriate to the child's age, size and weight.

Children under 12 years old must travel in the rear seat, using the appropriate child restraint or seat belt required for them.

Yes. Both the motorcycle rider and passenger must wear an approved protective helmet.

Yes. Motorcycles, scooters and similar vehicles must travel with their fixed lights switched on at all times.

On interurban roads, vehicles must use their lights even during daylight. Lights are also compulsory from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise and whenever visibility conditions require them.

You may not manipulate a mobile phone or other electronic device while driving. The prohibition also applies while waiting at a red traffic light, Stop sign or in stationary traffic. Proper hands-free use is permitted.

At an otherwise uncontrolled intersection, the driver on the left must give way to the vehicle approaching from the right. Traffic signs, signals and priority-road rules can override this rule.

Drivers entering a roundabout must give way to vehicles already circulating within it.

Yes. At an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing, pedestrians have priority over vehicles. A pedestrian who has legally begun crossing also retains the right to complete the crossing if the signal changes.

A motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle or another cycle must maintain a prudent lateral distance of approximately 1.5 metres throughout the manoeuvre.

Give way to the emergency vehicle when it is operating with its audible and visual warning signals. At an intersection, vehicles must stop when necessary to allow it to pass.

No. Horn use is generally prohibited in urban areas except when strictly necessary to prevent an accident. On rural roads it may be used only when necessary.

Required equipment includes an approved fire extinguisher, emergency warning devices such as safety triangles, a reflective vest and a spare wheel with the equipment needed to change it, unless the vehicle has an approved factory alternative to a spare wheel.

Yes. Vehicles require Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes Personales (SOAP), the compulsory personal-accident insurance associated with the vehicle's circulation permit. Foreign-plated vehicles temporarily entering Chile are also subject to compulsory accident-insurance requirements.

Vehicles subject to Chile's registration system generally require a valid Revisión Técnica or applicable homologation certificate to circulate legally.

Yes. A foreign tourist may drive for the duration of their authorised tourist stay using a valid licence issued under the laws of their home country, provided it is equivalent to Chile's non-professional Class B licence.

Not necessarily. Chilean law expressly allows tourists to use a qualifying valid national licence during their authorised tourist stay. International driving permits issued under treaties or agreements recognised by Chile are also valid.

There is no nationwide winter-tyre requirement for ordinary cars. However, winter road conditions can lead to specific traction requirements on mountain and southern routes.

Snow chains are compulsory when road signs or authorities require them. Chain requirements are common during winter conditions on Andean passes and some southern roads, so check the current road status before travelling.

Yes. Santiago applies seasonal winter vehicle restrictions to certain older vehicles. In 2026, the regular restriction runs from 1 May to 31 August, Monday to Friday except holidays, generally from 07:30 to 21:00 in the affected metropolitan area; additional restrictions can apply during pollution episodes.

Chile uses standardised traffic symbols, while written regulatory, warning and destination information is primarily in Spanish.