Driving License in Chile for Expats
Yes, for 90 days on a valid foreign licence + IDP for tourists; no formal grace period once you take up residence. After that, you must convert to a Chile license. The official test is only in Spanish, but you can practice in English with AutoviaTest.
Key Facts: Chile Driving License for Expats
- Test Authority
- CONASET — Comisión Nacional de Seguridad de Tránsito
- Official Test Language
- Spanish
- Grace Period
- 90 days on a valid foreign licence + IDP for tourists; no formal grace period once you take up residence
- Processing Time
- 4–6 weeks for online canje (Subsecretaría de Transportes verification + municipality pickup); 2–3 months for the full theory + practical route, depending on the municipality's exam slot availability
- Theory Test Required
- Yes (if no exchange agreement)
- Practical Test Required
- Yes (if no exchange agreement)
- Medical Exam
- Required
- Total Cost
- CLP 60,000–110,000 (~USD 65–120) for a complete canje including medical and (if needed) translation; CLP 80,000–150,000 (~USD 85–160) for the full theory + practical route
Eligibility by Nationality
EU/EEA Citizens
Only Spanish nationals (and holders of a Spanish driving licence) qualify for direct canje under Chile's bilateral treaty with Spain — no theory or practical test, only medical and psychometric exams. Holders of licences from other EU/EEA states have no bilateral agreement with Chile and must complete the full process at their local Dirección de Tránsito: theory exam (35-question test from the CONASET Manual del Conductor), practical exam, plus medical and psychometric exams.
US/UK Citizens
United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have NO bilateral driving-licence treaty with Chile. Their nationals must complete the full Chilean licensing process: 35-question theory exam (in Spanish, from the CONASET Manual del Conductor), practical exam on closed and open roads, medical exam and psychometric exam — all at the Dirección de Tránsito of the local municipality.
Other Non-EU Citizens
Bilateral canje (no theory or practical test) is available to holders of valid driving licences from any of the 9 countries with an active treaty in force with Chile: Spain, South Korea, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Japan, Paraguay and Bolivia. Holders of licences from any other country must complete the full Chilean licensing process — theory exam, practical exam, medical and psychometric exams — at the Dirección de Tránsito of the municipality where they reside.
Students
You may drive on a valid foreign licence (with an IDP if your licence is not in Spanish or Latin script) while you hold a valid tourist or temporary stay status. Once you obtain Permanencia Definitiva or a Visa Temporaria that grants RUT-based residence, you should apply for canje (if eligible) or start the full process. There is no statutory grace period — applying promptly avoids problems if stopped by Carabineros.
Required Documents
- ✓Cédula de identidad (Chilean ID card with RUT)
- ✓Original valid foreign driving licence (plus a copy)
- ✓Proof of completed education — basic, secondary or higher — recognised, revalidated or convalidated in Chile (Contraloría General opinion N° 9401)
- ✓Sworn translation of the foreign licence if not in Spanish (consulate or sworn translator)
- ✓Medical exam certificate (visual, auditory, locomotor) from a Servicio Médico authorised by the municipality
- ✓Psychometric exam certificate (reaction-time and personality test) from the same Servicio Médico
- ✓Proof of payment of municipal fees (typically 0.5–0.8 UTM, ~CLP 35,000–55,500)
- ✓For canje applicants: certificate of validity issued by the Subsecretaría de Transportes via the tramites.mtt.cl online portal (Clave Única login)
Costs Breakdown
- Conversion/Exam Fee
- CLP 29,000–50,000 (~USD 30–55) — set by each municipality, typically 0.5–0.8 UTM (UTM ≈ CLP 69,611 in May 2026); same range whether you canje or take the full exams
- Medical Exam
- CLP 10,000–25,000 (~USD 10–25) at a Servicio Médico authorised by the municipality — includes the visual, auditory, locomotor and psychometric components in a single appointment
- Translation
- CLP 20,000–60,000 (~USD 20–65) sworn-translator fee — only required if the foreign licence is not in Spanish; consular translations may be cheaper
- Total Estimated
- CLP 60,000–110,000 (~USD 65–120) for a complete canje including medical and (if needed) translation; CLP 80,000–150,000 (~USD 85–160) for the full theory + practical route
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 9
License Exchange Agreements
Direct Exchange (No Test Required) · 9
No Agreement (Full Test Required): Countries without a canje treaty in force — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and most others — must complete the full process at the municipal Dirección de Tránsito: 35-question theory exam from the CONASET Manual del Conductor, practical exam, medical exam and psychometric exam, all in Spanish.
Tips for Expats in Chile
- The canje (no-test exchange) list is fixed by treaty and currently covers 9 countries: Spain, South Korea, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Japan, Paraguay and Bolivia. Brazil has a signed but not-yet-in-force treaty.
- Even canje applicants must pass the medical and psychometric exams — only the theory and practical tests are waived.
- You must hold a RUT before applying — tourist-status visitors are not eligible. The RUT is automatic once you have Permanencia Definitiva or a qualifying Visa Temporaria.
- The process is decentralised at the Dirección de Tránsito of each municipality (comuna). Fees, exam slot availability and waiting times vary substantially between municipalities — Las Condes, Providencia and Vitacura are popular but have longer queues than peripheral comunas.
- A Contraloría General opinion (N° 9401) requires proof of completed schooling for a Chilean licence — foreign credentials must be recognised, revalidated or convalidated by the Chilean Ministry of Education before the licence can be issued.
From a recent expat graduate
A real story from someone who got their licence as a foreigner
“I find the service invaluable. It helped me immensely and I am impressed by the format and content. First class!”I have now passed my driving theory test. The course and information was great and very helpful. The reason I had to take the test is because I am living in Chile which does not recognise the driver licence of my mother country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I exchange my US, UK, Canadian or Australian licence in Chile?
Which countries qualify for direct exchange (canje) in Chile?
Can I take the Chilean theory exam in English?
How long can I drive in Chile with my foreign licence?
Why does the process vary by municipality?
Do I need to retake the medical exam if I have a current foreign licence?
Official sources
Subsecretaría de Transportes (Ministerio de Transportes y Telecomunicaciones) for canje verification; municipal Dirección de Tránsito for the physical issuance and full theory/practical process
https://www.subtrans.gob.cl/asuntos-internacionales/canjes-y-reconocimientos-de-licencias-de-conductor-extranjeras/
License Conversion Info
https://tramites.mtt.cl/tramites/