Destinations / Uruguay
Driving in Uruguay as a visitor
Usually yes. Uruguay expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Uruguay expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 911 |
| Top speed limit | 110 km/h national routes |
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 | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| 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 UYU. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance alcohol limit (0.0%). |
|---|---|
| Lights | Headlights on at all times on highways. |
| Seatbelts | Seatbelts mandatory for all occupants. |
On the road in Uruguay
At the pump
State brand ANCAP plus Petrobras and DISA sell nafta (petrol, ~82 UYU/litre) and gasoil (diesel, ~50 UYU/litre); stations are attended (no self-serve) and accept cards in towns, though carrying pesos helps in rural areas.
After a crash
Dial 911 (or 02-911 from the interior) for police and ambulance; stop, do not leave the scene, and obtain the police report for insurance and the rental firm. Alcohol limit is 0.0%, so never drive after any drinking before or after a crash.
Sources: tyremap.com · tollguru.com · globalpetrolprices.com · countryreports.org
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Uruguay?
Usually yes. Uruguay expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does Uruguay accept?
Uruguay recognises the 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Uruguay ask for one?
Montevideo desks request an IDP for non-Latin-script licences.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.