Chilean drivers will be able to continue using expired licenses until December 31, 2026, after Congress overrode a veto from the executive branch. The extension aims to address ongoing issues with municipal transit offices struggling to handle a surge in renewal applications.
The debate surrounding license renewals has resurfaced due to persistent difficulties municipalities face in meeting the high demand. The problem began during the pandemic and has not been resolved, even with the implementation of a digital system in 2025.
Why Transit Offices Remain Overwhelmed
Municipalities continue to experience bottlenecks in in-person services, currently required for license renewals in Chile. The process involves scheduling an appointment, submitting documentation, passing medical and psychological evaluations, paying the required fees, and waiting for the latest document to be issued – a process many users describe as slow and cumbersome.
The situation prompted public criticism, including a letter titled “Extension that Legalizes Collapse” sent to El Mercurio, which questioned the systemic origins of the problem. The author argued that “the extension in the renewal of driver’s licenses cannot continue to be attributed to the pandemic. It’s the consequence of a poorly designed system, based on distrust and an outdated administrative logic.”
The author further stated that “in Chile, renewal requires in-person standardized exams for all drivers, forcing them to repeatedly demonstrate skills already accredited, without distinguishing between those who maintain an impeccable driving record and those who have a history of risk.” This, they believe, creates a permanent saturation of the system.
Are There Alternative Approaches in Other Countries?
The discussion has also focused on international experiences where license renewals are conducted remotely, provided there are no significant alerts. Countries like Sweden, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the Netherlands, as well as some regions of 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 applied when risk factors are present. The author of the letter to El Mercurio noted that “international experience demonstrates that there is a reasonable alternative: to separate the administrative renewal from the 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 all logic.” He argued that “a new extension of the validity of driver’s licenses was 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 conditions necessary to drive. He stated that opting for quick administrative solutions “represents an unacceptable sign of political negligence.”
Is Automatic Renewal Viable in 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 continuous oversight.
Escobar warned that Chile does not have that level of institutional integration or data exchange, stating that implementing 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 good 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 could alleviate some of the pressure on the current system.
Miranda concluded that automation “is a good idea, but today we cannot implement it,” reiterating that it is first necessary to build integrated databases and information systems that currently do not exist.
