Can you drive in Peru with a foreign licence?
Yes, for a limited time. The transport ministry (MTC) said in February 2026 that foreigners can drive on a valid licence from their own country only during the first six months of their stay, and only where an international agreement has been signed and ratified. After that the licence has to be exchanged for a Peruvian one.
The other official advice differs by country, which is why a permit is worth carrying:
| Your document | What the advice says | Practical choice |
|---|---|---|
| UK photocard licence | FCDO: valid for up to 6 months while your immigration permit is valid | Enough on its own for most trips |
| UK paper licence | FCDO: upgrade to a photocard or get an IDP | Get the IDP before leaving |
| US licence | US State Department: foreign licences are generally valid for 30 days | Carry an IDP for any trip |
| International Driving Permit | US State Department: valid for one year | Carry it with your home licence |
Whichever applies, keep your passport with you: the FCDO says you must always carry your passport or valid ID when driving, and the US State Department adds that you should carry your licence, a copy of your passport and the rental agreement.
What is SOAT and does a rental car need it?
SOAT (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito) is compulsory accident insurance attached to the vehicle. The MTC explains that it pays medical care, compensation and other costs for anyone hurt in a crash involving a motor vehicle, whether inside the car or not, and that it applies immediately. A rental car should already carry it; your job is to check it is valid for your dates.
The penalty for driving without it is 12% of a UIT (tax unit) plus retention of the vehicle. The MTC gave that as S/ 516 when the UIT was lower. SUNAT sets the 2026 UIT at S/ 5,500, so the same 12% is S/ 660 this year.
SOAT is not the same as cover for the rental car itself. It pays for injuries; damage to the car and to other vehicles depends on the rental company's own insurance and excess, so read those terms separately.
How much are tolls on the Panamericana Sur?
South of Lima, the section from Pucusana through Cerro Azul to Ica (Red Vial 6) is run by the concessionaire COVIPERÚ. It has three toll plazas: Chilca at km 66, Jahuay at km 183 and Ica at km 255. A light vehicle, which covers ordinary rental cars, pays S/ 19.40 at each plaza. That price already covers both directions: the concession charges once, in one direction, for the round trip. The tariff runs from 20 February 2025 until 06:59 on 20 February 2027.
| Trip from Lima, return | Plazas passed | Tolls for a car |
|---|---|---|
| Beyond Chilca, turning back before Jahuay | 1 | S/ 19.40 |
| Beyond Jahuay, turning back before Ica | 2 | S/ 38.80 |
| Through to Ica city and back | 3 | S/ 58.20 |
Other roads out of Lima have their own concessions and prices, so check the operator for each route you plan.
Worked example: Lima to Ica and back
A weekend drive from Lima to Ica and back passes all three plazas: S/ 58.20 in tolls. The MTC speed page lists fines as a share of the UIT, already converted at S/ 5,500:
| Over the limit | Fine | Points on your record |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 km/h | 18% of a UIT, S/ 990 | 50 |
| 10 to 30 km/h | 24% of a UIT, S/ 1,320 | 60 |
| More than 30 km/h | 50% of a UIT, S/ 2,750 | 70 |
One moment of driving at 45 km/h past a school in a town the highway crosses, where the limit is 30 km/h, is 15 km/h over: S/ 1,320, or more than 22 times the whole weekend's tolls. The same page sets 30 km/h on streets and in commercial, school or hospital zones, and 50 km/h on avenues and in residential zones where the highway passes through a town. The police, provincial municipalities and SUTRAN all enforce speed limits.
Police stops, Lima traffic and mountain roads
Lima traffic is demanding. The FCDO describes driving standards as poor, with drivers often ignoring stop signs and traffic lights and fatal crashes frequent, and it says drivers do not always look out for pedestrians. The US State Department says you must stop when a traffic officer signals, that officers must be in uniform with identification, and that you should never offer a bribe. Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and front passenger, and talking on a phone while driving is illegal.
Outside Lima, the risks change with altitude and season:
| Route type | What the official advice says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Panamericana | Fog is common on coastal and mountain highways (US State Department) | Leave early; slow down in fog |
| Mountain roads | Poorly maintained, few barriers or signs; US embassy staff may not use them at night | Plan every mountain leg in daylight |
| Any route, November to May | Rockslides and mudslides disrupt mountain and jungle roads (FCDO) | Check closures each morning |
| Protest areas | FCDO advises not to try to pass roadblocks | Turn back or wait; do not force a blockade |
The land transport regulator SUTRAN runs an interactive alerts map that shows closures on the national road network from weather, protests, crashes or damaged roads, and it takes reports around the clock on WhatsApp at 999 382 606. In a September 2026 update SUTRAN described the map's traffic-light system: each section shows as restricted, interrupted or passable.