Foreign visitors may drive in Uruguay with their valid driver licenses issued by countries of their residence and International driver licenses. American driver licenses are valid in Uruguay for 180 days.
Foreign employees and their family members may be granted Uruguayan driver licenses after presentation of their valid domestic driver licenses and a diplomatic note from their Embassies.

The main Uruguayan road traffic rules:

• Driving is on the right-hand side of the road.
• Wearing seat belts is mandatory.
• The minimum driving age is 18 years.
• To use of dipped headlights while driving is obligatory even in daylight.
• Children under 12 years of age must be ridden in the back seat.
• The permitted blood alcohol level is 0.03%.
• All motorcyclists must wear protective helmets.
• While driving, the use of cellular phones is prohibited, except mobile phones with a hands-free system.
• Right turns on red lights are not permitted.
• At intersections, drivers must give way to traffic approaching from the right.
• Vehicles which are already in traffic circles have the right of way.
• All times while driving, drivers must have both their hands on the steering wheel.
• The police phone number is 911.

Additional information:

• If a driver are caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, his driver license may be confiscated for up to six months.
• For renting a car in Uruguay, a driver needs to be at least 23 years old and have held a driver license for one year or more.
• While driving, drivers must carry their valid driver licenses (International driving permits), vehicle registration documents and insurance certificates.
• In Uruguay, there are few toll roads.

 Driving Overseas - Short Information