Driving in South America – Let’s explore here
If you’re thinking about driving in South America on an overland journey, you should make yourself aware of the different regulations for each country. Our South American country pages detail lots of information by country. This page summaries information for the whole of South America on international driving permits, carnet de passages requirements, as well as other useful information.
Do you require an international driving permit when driving in South America?
You may require an international driving permit in South America, depending on which country you are travelling through. There are three types of permit: 1926, 1949 and 1968. For UK citizens, international driving permits can be bought from the post office.
The 1968 permit lasts for 3 years or until your UK driving licence expires, whichever comes first. A 1926 or 1949 permit lasts for 12 months.
The table below shows which international driving permit is required for each South American country.
Can you use your UK driving license when driving in South America?
For some South American countries you do not require an international driving license, as your UK driving license is valid. This is especially the case for short term visits, or when transiting through the country on an overland journey.
The table below shows which South American countries you can drive in with your UK driving license.
You may also find it useful to refer to our other information on driving abroad within each individual country page, as well as our information on obtaining a Carnet de passage. You may also find it useful to refer to our other information on visas.
International driving permit and Carnet de passage information by South American country
| Country | International driving permit | Carnet required | Notes |
| Argentina | 1949 | Yes | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Argentina. |
| Bolivia | – | – | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Bolivia. |
| Brazil | 1968 | – | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Brazil for up to 180 days. |
| Chile | 1949 | Yes | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Chile for up to 3 months. |
| Columbia | – | – | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Colombia. |
| Ecuador | 1949 | – | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Ecuador for up to 6 months. |
| Falkland Islands | – | – | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in the Falkland Islands for up to 12 months. |
| French Guiana | – | – | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in French Guiana. |
| Guyana | 1968 | – | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Guyana for 60 days. |
| Paraguay | 1949 | Yes | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Paraguay. |
| Peru | 1968 | Yes | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Peru for up to 6 months. |
| Suriname | – | – | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Suriname. |
| Uruguay | 1968 | Yes | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Uruguay for the first 90 days. Uruguay is introducing electronic-tag-only tolls. |
| Venezuela | 1949 | Yes | You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Venezuela for up to one year. |