Driving — Chile
What travelers need to know about driving in Chile. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Driving in Chile: prohibited — what is legal at home can be a serious crime here.
Visitors can drive in Chile with a valid US license for the duration of their tourist permit (usually 90 days), but rental insurance may not be available in some forms without a Chilean or international driver's license.
§ US State Dept — ChileVerified Jul 20, 2026
Chile enforces a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving — penalties include license suspension, fines, and detention, and driving under the influence can result in incarceration.
License suspension, fines, detention; DUI is severely punished and can mean incarceration (US State Dept).
§ Government of Canada — ChileVerified Jul 20, 2026