Destinations / Colombia
Driving in Colombia as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Carry an IDP with your licence to drive and rent in Colombia.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Colombia expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 123 |
| Top speed limit | Up to 120 km/h on signed highways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| Booklet format they know | 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in COP. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Local practice | Pico y placa restricts driving by plate number on set days. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 0.02% alcohol limit, strictly enforced. |
| Lights | Headlights on outside urban areas. |
| Tolls | Toll roads (peajes) are common. |
On the road in Colombia
At the pump
Stations (Terpel, Biomax, Primax) are attended; petrol is 'corriente' (regular) and 'extra' (premium) plus diesel ('ACPM'), around USD 0.65-0.80 per litre, with cards generally accepted in cities.
After a crash
Call 123 (national emergency line) for police and ambulance; do not move vehicles if there are injuries. SOAT covers bodily injury only; exchange details and get a police report for the rental insurer.
Sources: expat.com · tyremap.com · en.wikipedia.org · internationaltravelpermits.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Colombia?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Carry an IDP with your licence to drive and rent in Colombia.
Which translation format is used for Colombia?
Colombia uses the 1968 Vienna convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Colombia ask for a translation?
Requested by major desks; pico y placa plate restrictions apply in cities.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Colombia?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in South America
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.