Chile’s Congress has approved an extension of the validity of expired driver’s licenses, a move made despite opposition from the Executive Branch and ongoing challenges with the country’s municipal transit departments. The extension, intended to address widespread difficulties in renewing licenses, will allow documents nearing expiration to remain valid until December 31, 2026.
The debate over license renewals has resurfaced due to persistent issues municipalities face in handling the high volume of renewal requests. These problems began during the pandemic and have not been resolved, even with the implementation of a digital system in 2025.
Why Transit Departments Remain Overwhelmed
Municipalities continue to experience significant bottlenecks in in-person service, which is currently required to renew a driver’s license in Chile. The process involves scheduling an appointment, submitting documentation, undergoing medical and psychological evaluations, paying the required fees, and waiting for the novel document to be issued – a process many users describe as slow and cumbersome.
The situation has drawn public criticism, including a letter titled “Extension That Legalizes Collapse” sent to El Mercurio by Alejandro Lizana, who questioned the systemic roots of the problem. Lizana argued that “the extension in the renewal of driver’s licenses can no longer be attributed to the pandemic. It is the consequence of a poorly designed system, based on distrust and an outdated administrative logic.”
He added that “in Chile, renewal requires standardized in-person exams for all drivers, forcing them to repeatedly demonstrate skills they have already proven, without distinguishing between those with impeccable driving records and those with a history of risk.” This, he believes, creates a permanent saturation of the system.
Are There Alternative Approaches in Other Countries?
The discussion has also focused on international practices where license renewals are conducted remotely, provided Notice no significant alerts. Countries like Sweden, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the Netherlands, as well as regions in Australia, Canada, and the United States, allow online renewal if the driver has no serious violations, medical issues, or other factors requiring further evaluation.
In these cases, in-person exams are only administered when risk factors are present. Lizana noted that “international experience demonstrates that there is a reasonable alternative: to separate administrative renewal from re-evaluation of skills,” emphasizing that “in modern systems, the license is renewed remotely unless there are objective alerts.”
What Risks Do Experts Foresee with the Extension?
Carlos Larravide, General Manager of the Automóvil Club de Chile, strongly criticized the extension approved by Congress, calling it “a decision lacking any logic.” He argued that “a new extension of the validity of driver’s licenses has been approved, despite knowing the devastating consequences that this measure generated in the past,” warning that the administrative imbalance could persist for years.
Larravide emphasized that “these controls are not a mere bureaucratic procedure,” as they certify the cognitive, psychological, and motor skills necessary to drive. He stated that opting for quick administrative solutions “represents an unacceptable sign of political negligence.”
Is Automatic Renewal a Viable Option for Chile?
Alberto Escobar, a road safety specialist, explained that in countries like Germany, licenses do not expire, but the driver is continuously monitored. He detailed that “every activity associated with mobility is permanently monitored by the State,” allowing for effective and ongoing oversight.
Escobar cautioned that Chile does not have the same level of institutional integration or data sharing, stating that “applying a similar measure would be risky,” as it could mean decades without formal driver evaluation.
Álvaro Miranda, Director of the Transportation and Logistics Program at UTEM, expressed a similar view, noting that automatic renewal “is a quality idea, but we are far from being able to implement it today.” He believes immediate solutions should focus on short- and medium-term measures, such as outsourcing medical and psychometric exams to certified centers, allowing municipalities to concentrate on the administrative process. The move underscores the challenges facing Chile’s transportation infrastructure.
Miranda concluded that automation “is a good idea, but today we cannot implement it,” reiterating the need to build integrated databases and information systems that currently do not exist.
