Driving Permit for Uruguay
Driving in Uruguay with a foreign licence: IDP rules under the 1968 convention, 90-day to 6-month validity, the zero alcohol limit, headlight and toll laws, and rental requirements for tourists.
- Drive on
- Right
- Convention
- 1968 Vienna
- IDP validity
- 90 days – 6 months
- Processing time
- 24-48 hours
Do you need an IDP to drive in Uruguay?
Uruguay recognises the International Driving Permit under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, and visiting drivers are well advised to carry one alongside their original licence. Tourists can generally drive on a valid home-country licence for the length of a short stay — the UK government states its photocard licences are accepted for the first 90 days, while Canada's advisory allows Canadian licences for up to six months — but an IDP matters if your licence is paper-based or not printed in a Latin script. In practice, rental companies frequently ask for an IDP when a home licence isn't easily recognisable, so carrying one avoids friction at the desk and during police checks.
Traffic drives on the right, and Uruguay's national traffic law (Ley 18.191) is stricter than many visitors expect. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.0 g/l — zero tolerance applies to every driver, and any detectable alcohol can mean a fine, licence suspension or worse. Low-beam headlights must stay on at all times, day and night; seatbelts are compulsory in the front and back; and right turns on red are illegal. A first aid kit is required in the car, and rental vehicles must also carry reflective vests, warning devices and a fire extinguisher.
Main routes such as the Interbalnearia towards Punta del Este are in good condition and use prepaid electronic tolls, which your rental company can normally arrange. Away from the main corridors, expect variable surfaces, poor lighting and intersections without signs or signals; both the UK and Canadian governments warn that serious accidents are common. Drive defensively, especially in peak summer traffic along the coast.
Uruguay recognises the IDP under the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Uruguay is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay — in Uruguay, plan on 90 days – 6 months.
What you need to drive in Uruguay
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
Valid original licence from your home country — plastic photocard licences are widely accepted for tourist stays
IDP (1968 convention) recommended, and effectively required with paper-only or non-Latin-script licences; many rental desks ask for one
Zero blood-alcohol limit (0.0 g/l) applies to all drivers
Low-beam headlights on at all times; seatbelts compulsory front and rear
Uruguay's traffic law (Ley 18.191, Art. 30) requires low-beam headlights to be switched on permanently, even in daylight
The national blood-alcohol limit is 0.0 g/l — a full zero-tolerance regime for all drivers (Ley 18.191, Art. 45)
Right turns at red lights are illegal throughout Uruguay
Canada's travel advisory says Canadian licences are accepted for up to 6 months, while the UK's says its photocard licences cover the first 90 days — after long-term residence you need a Uruguayan licence
Seatbelts are compulsory for all occupants on both urban and interurban roads (Ley 18.191, Art. 31)
The toll road between Montevideo and Punta del Este is in good condition, but accidents increase there during the peak summer season
What to know before you turn the key
Uruguay drives on the right — the driver sits on the left, and roundabouts flow anti-clockwise.
Carry your IDP and your original license together — rental desks and police checks will ask for both documents.
Rental cars must carry safety equipment — reflective vests, warning devices, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit — and rental companies often ask for an IDP alongside a foreign licence
Major routes use mandatory prepaid electronic tolls; arrange the toll tag or prepayment through your rental company
Right turns on red are illegal, and local drivers often change lanes or turn without indicating — drive defensively
Uruguay enforces zero-tolerance drink-driving: any detectable alcohol can bring a fine, a driving suspension, a community work order or imprisonment. Fines also apply to offences such as driving without required headlights, seatbelts or mandatory safety equipment.
Local rules to watch in Uruguay
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Montevideo — expect assertive local driving: the UK's travel advisory notes drivers often change lanes without indicating and ignore stop signs and traffic lights
Punta del Este — reached via the well-maintained, tolled Ruta Interbalnearia; traffic and accident risk rise sharply in the peak summer beach season
Colonia del Sacramento — a main ferry gateway from Buenos Aires; the historic quarter's narrow cobbled streets are best explored on foot
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Uruguay keeps.
Common questions about driving in Uruguay
Drive Uruguay, confidently.
Apply online in minutes and get instant digital access to your IDP translation — with an IDP PVC card option if you want one in your wallet.