Driving in Argentina vs. Chile: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Argentina and Chile, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol limits, which can impact your driving experience. Familiarizing yourself with these variances will enhance your safety and ensure a smoother ride through these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
chile:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
chile:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
chile:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Chile |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
chile:
Not used in Chile
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Required annually |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
chile:
Required annually
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Roundabouts
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay