If you ever find yourself on the South Side of the Equator and you would like to travel the rim on the West coast of South America, then you would be traveling through Chile! If you are entering the country through Santiago and you’re checking into your hotel and it’s the picture of travel days, then maybe you would want to rent a car. Though the language can be rocky, even to fluent Spanish speakers, due to Chileans natives, you can leave all that noise behind by picking up a car rental service. However before you go for any car rental service, why not read through our driving guide. Chile has a long coastline just in the middle of the Andes Mountains and the vast Pacific Ocean. It is a medieval country with a modern flair and is a country full of culture and war stories. Great poets come from this great country, where popular destinations include Island Negra, Santiago and Valparaiso. Car rental flexibility allows you to drive freely around Chile, and see some of the wonderful sights that this country has to offer.

For the most part, renting and driving in Chile is simple, convenient, and well organized. The streets are clear and easy to understand, the signs are well organized, and most traffic rules are respected. Like Americans, the people in Chile like to drive faster than they should and like New York’s; the bus service in Chile is deplorable; the busses should be avoided. Firstly there is to have a full driving license in order to collect a car alongside passport and return ticket. There are frequent checkpoints on the main roads of Chile and at the edges of every city, so don’t forget to bring along all the documents procured at the car rental outlet to cater for any eventualities that may arise. Also it is imperative to take note of the existing vehicular restrictions and road laws in the city of Chile. Presently a traffic scheme, which the government is trying to strictly implement, prohibits vehicles with a license plate ending with a particular numbers especially on the roads of Santiago. Maximum speed limits in most places are set at 62 mph or 100 kilometers an hour.

Motorways have increased speed limit at 120 kilometers per hour. Keep your speed at 50 kilometers per hour whenever in the city and remember to drive on the right. It is noteworthy to state that most Chilean drivers are not really the most courteous, especially at crossroads. Drivers often jump red lights and signaling can be infrequent. It’s important for you to carry around a license as well as your vehicle registration. An international license is technically required, but just like Vegas, what happens in Chile stays in Chile. So long as you don’t go breaking all kinds of traffic laws and as long as you check with your car rental facility first, you should be okay with just your native license. But do check before you leave. Drinking and driving in Chile is considered a very serious offence, so you should never drink before driving when using the country’s car rental services. Driving rules should also be applied, the same that obtains in the UK. Always drive slowly when you are approaching a road junction or a hill.

Give way to pedestrians at all times. Never drive against the flow of normal traffic. Drive only inside marked lanes. Always check you vehicle for proper lighting. One more thing about renting a car in Chile is that seat belts are mandatory. Talking on your cell phone or smoking a cigarette while driving? Uh-uh. You will be pulled over, your license will be revoked, and all your plans, be they fun or business will be ruined. So put out that butt in your rental car and get off the phone while in Chile. Also if you’re caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you will be arrested. If you are doing anything obvious enough to be visibly unstable from the road, you’re dead. Police can give you a ticket, but they also are very likely to arrest you and tow your rental. Nobody wants to spend their vacation in Chile, sitting in a jail cell, while their rental car sits in an impound lot; so be smart! You will enjoy your vacation in Chile so much the better.