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Driving Tips in Santiago, Chile

Car Hire Depot
Driving Distances
Driving Licence
Driving Age
Rules and Regulations
Vehicle Restrictions

Child Safety Seats
Speed Limits
Drink Driving
Tolls
Road Signs
Visa Information

Car Hire Depot information in Santiago

DriveAway Holidays offer unbeatable rates with our reputable suppliers in Santiago. These suppliers are all located at the Santiago Airport terminal building and downtown depots located in the city.

Car Hire Driving Distances in Santiago

Concepcion – 500kms (9 hrs/ 40 mins)
Talcahuano – 520kms (10 hrs)
Valpariso – 135kms (2 hrs/ 30 mins)
Antofagasta – 1290kms
Puerto Montt – 1045kms

Driving Licence

A full valid driver’s license is required for a minimum of 1 year. An International licence is required for Australian drivers licence holders.

Age Restrictions

Generally the minimum age is 21 years, but can vary between the car hire company and location. Maximum age limits apply in some locations, a young/senior driver surcharge may apply. Please check Terms and Conditions when making an enquiry or booking.

Rules and Regulations

General driving rules and regulations in Chile;

Driving is on the right hand side of the road.
Pass others on the left hand side of the road.
All occupants in the vehicle must wear a seat belt.
Mobile Phones are not permitted while driving, with the exception of a hands-free system.
Obey all road signs and traffic signals.
Drivers are to carry at all times while driving, a valid drivers licence, registration documents, road tax documents and insurance documents.

Vehicle Restrictions

In the city of Santiago a vehicular restriction known as 'restricción vehicular' becomes effective during the time of the day and days of the week. Restrictions apply to vehicles defined by the last digit on the registration plate. Restrictions zones are heavily monitored, motorists driving a restricted vehicle within the zone face being fined.

Child Safety Seats

Children aged under 4 years old must be seated in an appropriate child restraint. Any children under 12 years old should be seated in the back seats wearing a seat belt.

Speed Limits

The following are the speed limits in Chile, unless signed otherwise;

Urban Areas (built up areas): 50km/h
Motorways: 120km/h

Drink Driving

The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Chile is 0.05mg/100ml. It is essential that you keep well and truly under the legal limit as strict laws apply to anyone found to be over the limit.

Tolls

There are three motorways in Chile where a toll is payable;- Costanera Norte, Autopista del Sol and the Chile Highway 5. The three all operate using electronic tolling by having a transponder fitted to the windscreen of the vehicle. Vehicles hired, ask the supplier depot prior to collection for tolling options.

Road Signs

Regulatory Signs (eg. Speed Limits) instruct motorists what they must and should not do. These signs will vary in shapes, sizes and colour, but most generally you will find them with a white background, red border and a symbol or text in the middle. Warning Signs (eg. Changes in road conditions) warn motorists any potential hazard, obstacle or condition up ahead. These signs are generally yellow in colour with a black symbol in the middle. Information Signs (eg. Directions) provides motorists with direction information, street/road name/number, places of interest...etc. Signs with a green background provide information to roads/streets, suburbs and cities, while brown or blue signs are used for facilities and attractions.

Visa Information

Visa, passport and entry requirements for Australians visiting Chile;

Australian passport holders do no require a visa to enter Chile for the purpose of tourism. Maximum stay period is 90 days. Contact the Consulate of the Republic of Chile in your local state for additional information regarding visa's.
On arrival into Chile, an administrative fee is payable, accepted in cash only.
A passport with at-least 6 months validity is required.
A return/onward travel ticket/itinerary is required.