US licence Peru

Driving in Peru with a US license

Short answer: to drive in Peru with a US license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your US license.

Bring an IDP

Yes — to drive in Peru on a US licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your US licence. Peru expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Convention basisPeru uses the format of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

At the rental deskRequested by airport and city desks; mountain driving insurance advised.

CarryCarry BOTH your US national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.

Minimum age18+ to drive; rental typically 21+ with a young-driver surcharge under 25

Validity1–3 years (you choose at checkout)

FormatDigital PDF you print yourself, plus a QR-verifiable ID card — accepted alongside printed permits

Last verified July 2026Source: 1968 Vienna Convention

Get my IDP for Peru Full Peru guide

U.S. drivers should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their state licence when driving or renting a car abroad. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.

What driving in Peru is like

The drive from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, or the high road across the Andes on the Cusco-Puno altiplano. For most visitors the real draw is the freedom to reach places trains and tours don't, on your own schedule, with the open road generally capped around 100 km/h highways. Getting behind the wheel is the easy part: your International Driving Permit is a certified translation of your US licence, carried alongside it, so rental staff and officials in Peru can read your credentials at a glance.

Driving rules in Peru

Aggressive city traffic — defensive driving essential.
High-altitude routes (Cusco, Puno) affect engine performance.
0.05% alcohol limit.
Carry original documents at all times.

Local driving facts in Peru

Emergency number: 105 (police) (112 also connects from most mobiles). Typical maximum for cars on the fastest road class: 100 km/h highways. Posted limits always take precedence.

Tolls & road charges: Main highways (Panamericana and others) have frequent manned toll booths (peajes), typically a few soles each; many do not accept cards, so carry small-denomination soles in cash.
Parking: Avoid street parking; use guarded paid lots (playas de estacionamiento or 'cocheras') in cities like Lima and Cusco, both for security and to avoid towing/clamping in restricted central zones.
Penalties & enforcement: Fines (papeletas) are graded by severity as fractions of the UIT tax unit; speeding, no seatbelt and phone use are penalized. Do not pay cash to officers on the roadside; legitimate fines are processed officially and rental firms pass camera/towing charges to the renter.
If you have an accident: Call the police on 105 (SAMU ambulance 106); do not move vehicles if there are injuries until police arrive. SOAT (compulsory insurance) covers only personal injury, not the rental car, so file a police report for the rental insurer.
City driving: Lima traffic is heavy and assertive; the central Cercado de Lima has restricted/pedestrianized areas and the Vía Expresa ('El Zanjón') and Javier Prado are notorious bottlenecks where lane discipline is loose.
Winter driving: No winter-tyre rules - tropical/Andean climate; however high Andean passes can see snow and ice, so caution and good tyres are advised on sierra routes and night mountain driving is discouraged.
Fuel: Stations (Primax, Repsol, Petroperú) are attended; petrol is sold by octane (84/90/95/97) plus 'GLP'/'GNV' gas, and diesel as 'diésel B5', roughly USD 1.10-1.30 per litre for petrol with most stations taking cards.

Sources: remitly.com, tyremap.com, internationaltravelpermits.com, theonlyperuguide.com

Common questions

Can I drive in Peru with a US license?

to drive in Peru with a US license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your US license. Peru uses the format of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

Is my US driver's license valid in Peru?

Yes — to drive in Peru on a US licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your US licence. Peru expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Peru?

Yes — to drive in Peru on a US licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your US licence. Peru expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Can I rent a car in Peru with a US license?

Requested by airport and city desks; mountain driving insurance advised.

What IDP format does Peru accept?

Peru uses the format of the 1968 Vienna Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for Peru?

An International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing US license. You apply online, and it is issued as a printable PDF booklet with a QR-verifiable ID card in the 1968 Vienna format Peru uses — carried alongside your US license.

Do I still carry my US license?

Carry BOTH your US national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Peru?

In Peru, dial 105 (police) for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The general maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 100 km/h highways; posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Peru?

Main highways (Panamericana and others) have frequent manned toll booths (peajes), typically a few soles each; many do not accept cards, so carry small-denomination soles in cash.