Driving yourself through Argentina is pure freedom: empty roads, huge skies and guanacos by the roadside. It is also a bit different from driving at home. This guide covers the paperwork, the rules and the practical tips that make a campervan trip smooth and safe. Rules can change, so always double-check current requirements before you go.
Licence, IDP and minimum age
You need a valid driving licence from your home country. If your licence is not from a Latin American country, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended and is often treated as required, especially at police checkpoints. It is cheap and quick to get at home, so just bring one.
At Mate Bus, the minimum age for drivers is 21. Every person who will drive must be registered on the booking and show their licence at pick-up.
Police checkpoints: stay calm and organised
Police and gendarmería checkpoints (controles) are common, especially at provincial borders and on national routes. They are usually routine: slow down, turn on your interior light at night, greet the officer and answer calmly. A friendly buen día goes a long way.
Keep your documents together in one folder so you can hand them over quickly. Officers may also check that you have the mandatory safety equipment; Mate vans come with it on board.
- ●Driving licence and International Driving Permit
- ●Passport
- ●Rental contract and vehicle papers (provided by Mate)
- ●Proof of insurance (provided by Mate)
Key rules of the road
Headlights must be on during the day on national routes, and it is good practice everywhere outside cities. Seatbelts are mandatory for everyone, and the alcohol limit is very low, with zero tolerance in some provinces, so simply do not drink and drive.
Speed limits vary by road type and province, so always check the signs. As an approximate guide: 110 to 130 km/h on highways (autopistas), 80 to 110 km/h on national and provincial routes, and 40 to 60 km/h in towns. Speed cameras exist, and fines can follow you to the rental company.
Many routes in the Buenos Aires region and around big cities have tolls (peajes). Some accept cash, others only electronic payment, so ask us at pick-up how tolls work on your route and keep a little cash handy.
Gravel roads (ripio) and wind
Sooner or later you will drive on ripio, the loose gravel roads that lead to many of the best spots. Slow down to around 50 to 60 km/h, avoid sudden braking or steering, and stay in the tracks of other vehicles where the gravel is firmer. When a truck or car comes the other way, slow down and move right to protect your windscreen from flying stones.
In Patagonia, the wind can be brutal, with strong side gusts on open plains. Keep both hands on the wheel, reduce speed, and be extra careful when opening doors: a gust can rip a door open. Park nose into the wind when you can.
Fuel, distances and wildlife
In Patagonia, fuel stations can be 200 to 300 km apart, and small ones sometimes run out. The rule is simple: fill up whenever you see a station, YPF or otherwise, and never let the tank drop below half on long stretches. Download offline maps, because mobile signal disappears for hours.
Wildlife is part of the fun but also a hazard. Guanacos, rheas (ñandúes), sheep and cattle often cross the road, and guanacos can jump fences unexpectedly. Avoid driving at dusk and at night outside towns, when animals are most active and hardest to see.
Manual or automatic?
Most compact vans in Argentina, including the Mate Classic, have a manual gearbox. If you are not comfortable with a stick shift, especially on mountain roads or in Buenos Aires traffic, choose the Mate Grande, which is automatic and has more space for two. Book at least 3 weeks ahead to get the van that suits you best.
Ready to go?
Book your Mate Bus at least 3 weeks ahead — free cancellation up to 21 days before pick-up.
