Rules for overlanding in Uruguay

For tourists the ministry lists either an Italian or an international licence, and says to confirm the requirements with the competent authorities or with the rental companies. Check what applies to the licence you hold.

Third-party cover is taken out at the border. The ministry points to the Uruguayan government page on bringing in tourists' vehicles under the Mercosur rules for the up-to-date requirements.

Drive with particular care, above all at junctions, both outside and inside built-up areas, the capital included. Signage is poor, the road surface is often in bad condition, and roadworks on the carriageway are sometimes not properly signed.

Road lighting is often inadequate, especially outside the capital and in the outlying districts.

Maximum fuel prices are set by the government. Petrol comes as common at 91 octane, super at 95 and premium at 97, with a 2026 ceiling of 76.88 Uruguayan pesos a litre for super, the most used grade. Diesel comes as 10-s, the premium low-sulphur grade capped at 54.32 pesos a litre in 2026, or as ordinary 50-s.

A law legalised marijuana, but it can only be bought by residents of Uruguay, who must first sign up to a register, and only in certain licensed pharmacies. Offences involving the use and possession of drugs carry severe penalties, much as in Italy.

Importing products of animal or vegetable origin is prohibited, dairy, meat, cured meats and fruit and vegetables included, unless you can produce the relevant health documentation.

You only need to declare currency at customs on entry if the amount is 10,000 USD or more. Exchange offices take both dollars and euro.

No visa is needed for tourism for stays under 90 days. To stay longer you must sort your position out before that deadline, either asking for a further 90 days or starting the temporary or permanent residence process with the national migration office.

Uruguay's customs authority (Dirección Nacional de Aduanas) describes a regime for the temporary introduction by a tourist of their private-use vehicle (extra-MERCOSUR). Cars, motorcycles, motorised bicycles, motorhomes and trailers, among others, fall under it, and the permitted stay of the vehicle in the country is one year from the date of entry. The listed requirements are the vehicle ownership document (or the document authorising the person to act for the owner), a passport, valid liability insurance and the original valid driving licence. The page describes registering the request electronically first, then presenting the vehicle at the customs office at the point of entry. (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas - Dirección Nacional de Aduanas — Introducción temporal de vehículos de turistas extra MERCOSUR (gub.uy, actualizado 26/06/2026))

Uruguay's customs authority lists valid liability insurance among the requirements for a tourist temporarily bringing in a vehicle (extra-MERCOSUR regime). Among the documents to be presented with the vehicle at the point of entry, it lists motor vehicle insurance valid for MERCOSUR. (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas - Dirección Nacional de Aduanas — Introducción temporal de vehículos de turistas extra MERCOSUR (gub.uy, actualizado 26/06/2026))

A January 2018 communiqué of the Uruguayan government (published by the Presidency, from the environment ministry) states that driving vehicles on the coastal strip is prohibited by Article 171 of Law No. 19.535 and Decree 100 of 1991, and that vehicles circulating on the coastal defence strip (faja de defensa de costas) will be fined. It concerns beach and coastal-strip access and is not a list of the rules of individual protected areas. (Presidencia de la República Oriental del Uruguay (gub.uy) — comunicado del Ministerio de Vivienda, Ordenamiento Territorial y Medio Ambiente sobre el cuidado de las playas y los ecosistemas costeros, 02/01/2018)

Uruguay's communications regulator URSEC, by Resolution 438/024, authorised Starlink Uruguay S.R.L. to install and operate aeronautical and land-based earth stations in motion, under the authorisations granted by its Resolution 84/024 of 21 March 2024. (URSEC Uruguay — Resolución N° 438/024 - Autorización a Starlink Uruguay SRL a instalar y operar estaciones terrenas aeronáuticas en movimiento)