Driving in Peru

Use the current national traffic rules

The Ministry of Transport and Communications maintains the national transport and road-traffic law collection, including the national traffic regulation, driver-licensing rules, compulsory insurance and vehicle-inspection provisions.

Check the current rule for the actual driver and vehicle because amendments affect more than one regulation. Posted signs, enforcement directions and temporary restrictions govern at the location even when a route planner gives a different expectation.

Sources: [2][3][4]

Obtain the tourist vehicle entry certificate

SUNAT administers the temporary entry of tourist vehicles through the Certificado de Internamiento Temporal. The application requires the vehicle record, the traveller's entry record and proof of ownership or authorised use; compulsory SOAT cover must remain valid for the stay.

Check the certificate period against the authorised stay, keep it with the vehicle and request any permitted extension before expiry. Use SUNAT's current procedure for the entry post and do not assume that a neighbouring country's vehicle permission carries over.

Sources: [5][6][7]

Treat altitude and disruption as route vetoes

High passes, steep descents, fog, rain, landslides and huaicos can change a journey after its distance was calculated. The SUTRAN alert map distinguishes interrupted and restricted roads and shows authority-provided alternatives; check the exact national, departmental and local legs near departure.

Do not follow an automatic detour onto an unsigned or unsuitable road. If the official alert does not establish a usable alternative, keep the vehicle on the safe side of the closure and preserve daylight, energy and occupant readiness for a return.

Sources: [1][2]

Identify the operator before a toll or assistance decision

The route can move between national, departmental, local and concession-operated sections. Identify the authority or operator for each material leg before relying on its condition report, toll method or assistance channel; one national source does not certify the destination access.

A toll-avoidance preference only requests different geometry. Confirm that the proposed alternative is public, currently open and suitable for the actual vehicle, particularly where a rental agreement or surface restriction may exclude it.

Sources: [1][2]

Break the plan at borders and remote service gaps

SUNAT's Certificado de Internamiento Temporal addresses the tourist vehicle's entry to Peru; it does not confirm that the crossing operates or that the adjoining country will accept the driver and vehicle. Treat each border as the end of one verified plan and the start of another.

For a remote Peruvian leg, identify the service point on which the fuel or charging plan depends and set the last safe turnaround before departure. Retain the SUTRAN corridor, nearest town and kilometre post offline; call 110 for police assistance or 116 for firefighters as appropriate, giving that actionable location.

Sources: [5][1][8][9]

Before driving in Peru

• Recheck the SUTRAN alert map immediately before a long section and after severe weather, seismic activity or reports of an obstruction.
• Plan daylight, rest, fuel or charging and altitude margins separately from the calculated distance.
• Call 110 for the road police, 105 for the national police or 116 for firefighters as the incident requires.
• Give responders the road name or number, direction, nearest kilometre marker or settlement and any known hazards.

Sources: [1][8][9]