Driving Tips
- While tourists may drive using a valid foreign license, residents who plan to live in Uruguay long-term are generally expected to obtain a Uruguayan license if they will drive.
- Ambulances often drive with their flashing lights on even when not responding to an emergency. If they are actively responding, they will typically also use a siren.
- Do not pump your own gas—the gas station attendant will pump the gas for you, and it is common to pay a small tip.
- Turning right at a red light is not permitted.
- Uruguay has a strict policy about drinking and driving that can result in your vehicle being impounded and loss of your driver’s license.
Parking in Piriápolis
Street parking in Piriápolis is free.
There are some private parking lots that operate during the high season.
Some cities have meters and allow payment via mobile app.
You will often see people directing drivers in and out of street parking spaces and helping people find empty spots. These people are called cuidacoches (car caretakers). It is common, but not mandatory, to tip the cuidacoche 50 pesos or less. During high season, especially near the Rambla and beach areas, tipping is more expected than optional.
Uruguayan Driver’s License
Although you drive in Uruguay with a valid, unexpired foreign driver’s license, if you plan to drive a vehicle in Uruguay, you will likely want to get a Uruguayan license eventually. See below for how to either validate a current U.S. license or take the written and road driver’s license tests.
Validation of a Foreign Driver’s License
If you have a valid driver’s license from the U.S. and can get your driver’s license history (some states allow you to access this online—check your state DMV for the process), you can have that driver’s license validated and receive a Uruguayan driver’s license without taking the new driver tests.
Certain people, such as seniors over a certain age, might be required to take a written exam and a road test.
See the requirements and process for Maldonado here
Required Documents for License Validation
Proof of payment (see below)
Uruguayan Identity Card or passport, valid and in good condition.
Medical Certificate (see below)
Valid driver’s license from the country or state where it will be validated.
If your documents are not properly apostilled and translated, you may be required to take the written and practical exams instead of validating them directly.
If the documentation is not in Spanish, you must attach a certified translation.
License Validation Process (in Maldonado)
- Get your driving history from the US state you’re coming from. Go to the website for your state’s DMV to find out how.
- When you get it, have it apostilled, either by your state’s Secretary of State or by a third-party service.
- Then get the apostilled documents down to Uruguay.
- Get both documents translated by an official Uruguayan translator.
- Get a Uruguayan health check slip from your doctor or an authorized clinic. It takes a few minutes to complete a questionnaire and do an eye test.
- Take your health check slip and translated apostilled documents to the Intendencia de Maldonado’s Dirección de Licencias de Conducir office in Maldonado https://maps.app.goo.gl/KMNsDHS5BGHy1iza7
- When they confirm your documents are in order, they will give you a slip of paper stating the fee.
- Go to Abitab or Redpagos to pay the fee.
- When you return to the Dirección de Licencias de Conducir office with your proof-of-payment receipt, they will issue the driver’s license.
Additional Information About Driver’s License Validation
(from Montevideo’s website)
The validity period of the license will be determined by the medical examination; it is not at the discretion of the interested party.
From age 56 onwards, the application and/or renewal deadlines are modified. See the maximum deadlines for each category.
If your license is from abroad (except Spain):
The renewed driver’s license will not be retained.
If the license does not clearly specify which vehicle(s) it authorizes you to drive, a certificate from the Embassy or Consulate stating this information must be presented.
Testing for a Uruguayan Driver’s License
If you can’t validate your foreign license, or you prefer not to do so, you can take the local written and driving tests for first-time drivers:
It is possible to take a couple of lessons with a local driving school to prepare.
You might also want to read the manual, take a few test exams, and listen to a good presentation on defensive driving. Some resources for doing this are listed below.
New Uruguayan Driver’s License Process
1. Medical Certificate
Before you do any tests, you must obtain a medical fitness certificate from an approved provider (clinic or municipal service).
This is typically scheduled first and required before your exam slot can be confirmed.
2. Written (Theoretical) Exam
After your documentation is approved:
You are given an appointment for the examén teórico (written test).
The manual of study is available in digital format from the government portal.
The test is usually on a computer.
The exam combines questions about traffic rules, road signs, safety, and vehicle operation.
You must pass the written exam before the practical is scheduled.
3. Practical (Driving) Exam
Once you pass the written exam:
You must take the examen práctico (actual driving test).
You can take this with your own vehicle that meets requirements (valid Insurance SOA, inspection if required, no unpaid fines on the car) or via a licensed driving academy.
For vehicles with an automatic transmission (not stick shift), a passing result may restrict your license to automatic only.
Uruguayan Driver’s Licnese Manual
Official “Guía Nacional de Conducción”
This is the official government guide used to prepare for the theoretical exam for cars, motorcycles, and other categories. It explains rules of the road, traffic signs, safety requirements, and legal norms that appear on the test.Guía Nacional de Conducción — Unidad Nacional de Seguridad Vial (UNASEV)https://www.gub.uy/unidad-nacional-seguridad-vial/comunicacion/publicaciones/guia-nacional-de-conduccion
This page has a downloadable PDF version of the driver’s manual that you can use to study before your exam.
Online Uruguayan Driver’s License Test Practice & Supplemental Materials
These resources are not official government sites, but they use the official guide content and help you prepare with practice questions and organized study formats:
PracticaTest Uruguay — online study materials and practice exam simulations (free with registration): https://practicatest.uy/
Mobile “Test de Conducir Uruguay” apps — mobile apps on Android (and some available through alternative installation) with large banks of practice questions based on real exam topics: https://apprecs.com/android/com.licencia.unasev/examen-de-conducir-uruguay
These tools help you reinforce what’s in the manual, especially for traffic signs and typical exam questions.
Study Tip: Focus on traffic signs and rules of priority, because many questions revolve around those topics.