Lifestyle
Driving Abroad Guide
Licence rules, fuel prices, tolls, and road-safety notes.
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Fuel prices and licence rules change often — confirm with the local transit authority before you drive.
Colombia
$0.98/L · $3.71/gal- International Driving Permit
- ✓
- Licence conversion
- Convert to a local licence after establishing residency (typically within 90 days)
- Tolls
- Frequent peajes on intercity highways; cash or electronic tag
- Mandatory insurance
- SOAT (mandatory third-party) plus optional full coverage
- •Mountain routes are slow and truck-heavy — plan double the map time.
- •Police checkpoints are routine; carry passport and vehicle papers.
- •Motorcycle traffic filters aggressively in cities.
Uruguay
$1.78/L · $6.74/gal- International Driving Permit
- ✓
- Licence conversion
- Exchange for a Uruguayan licence once residency is granted
- Tolls
- Tolls on main coastal routes; electronic tag common
- Mandatory insurance
- Third-party liability mandatory
- •Fuel is among the most expensive in South America — budget accordingly.
- •Zero-tolerance blood alcohol limit, strictly enforced.
- •Rural routes are well paved but poorly lit at night.
Argentina
$1.15/L · $4.35/gal- International Driving Permit
- ✓
- Licence conversion
- Convert within 90 days of receiving DNI
- Tolls
- Tolls on Buenos Aires access highways and main corridors
- Mandatory insurance
- Third-party liability mandatory; Mercosur coverage advisable
- •Buenos Aires drivers treat lane markings as suggestions — defensive driving matters.
- •Long inter-city distances with sparse services; refuel early.
- •Patagonian routes have gravel sections and strong crosswinds.
Brazil
$1.12/L · $4.24/gal- International Driving Permit
- ✓
- Licence conversion
- Foreign licence valid 180 days from residency; convert after
- Tolls
- Extensive private toll roads in the south and southeast
- Mandatory insurance
- DPVAT-style mandatory cover plus strongly recommended private policy
- •Motorcycle lane-splitting is constant in São Paulo and Rio.
- •Avoid unfamiliar urban routes at night; use ride-hailing instead.
- •Ethanol vs. gasoline pricing changes which fuel is economical — compare per-km cost.
Chile
$1.25/L · $4.73/gal- International Driving Permit
- ✓
- Licence conversion
- Convert after residency; theory and practical test may be required
- Tolls
- Extensive electronic tolling (TAG) in Santiago and on Ruta 5
- Mandatory insurance
- SOAP (mandatory) plus recommended full coverage
- •Rental cars in Santiago need a TAG transponder to use urban highways.
- •Andean passes close seasonally with little warning.
- •Speed cameras and enforcement are consistent — fines follow the plate.
Peru
$1.32/L · $5.00/gal- International Driving Permit
- ✓
- Licence conversion
- Foreign licence valid 6 months; conversion requires residency
- Tolls
- Tolls on Panamericana and main corridors
- Mandatory insurance
- SOAT mandatory
- •Lima traffic is aggressive and horn-driven; lane discipline is informal.
- •Andean highways involve altitude, switchbacks, and fog — daytime driving only.
- •Watch for unlit vehicles and livestock on rural roads at dusk.
Ecuador
$0.72/L · $2.73/gal- International Driving Permit
- ✓
- Licence conversion
- Foreign licence valid up to 6 months; convert with residency
- Tolls
- Modest tolls on Quito–Guayaquil corridors
- Mandatory insurance
- Private liability insurance strongly recommended
- •Fuel is subsidised and among the cheapest in the region.
- •Andean fog and steep descents make night driving genuinely risky.
- •Speed cameras and photo-radar are widespread on main highways.
Paraguay
$1.08/L · $4.09/gal- International Driving Permit
- ✓
- Licence conversion
- Convert once you hold a cédula; process is quick
- Tolls
- Few tolls; low-cost where they exist
- Mandatory insurance
- Third-party insurance required in practice, weakly enforced
- •Motorcycles dominate traffic and rarely yield.
- •Rural roads flood quickly in the rainy season.
- •Border crossings to Brazil and Argentina need vehicle permission paperwork.