Driving a rental car to Uruguay: ferry, bridge and documents
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You can drive from Buenos Aires to Uruguay in two ways: by car ferry, with the car in the hold (Buquebus, Colonia Express), or by land over the Gualeguaychú — Fray Bentos bridge. For a rental car the key condition is that the company allows it and gives you the papers. At RS AVTO (arghub.app/rs-avto?lang=en) you can drive to Uruguay if you arrange the trip in advance; Brazil is also allowed, and Chile on certain cars.
What car documents are needed for Uruguay?
ARCA (formerly AFIP) describes the rules for MERCOSUR-registered vehicles.
- A licence from a MERCOSUR country, with the driver resident in the country where the car is registered.
- If you are not the owner: a cédula azul in your name or a notarised power of attorney.
- Proof of insurance valid in MERCOSUR.
- For rental cars, the ACM (Autorización para Circulación en el MERCOSUR), issued by the rental company, replaces the ownership papers; the company must be on the Argentine customs “RENT A CAR” register and authorised to leave through the chosen crossing. The permitted stay is set by the immigration service.
An important note on licences for Uruguay
ARCA speaks of a licence from a MERCOSUR country. The page does not say how this applies to a tourist holding a licence from elsewhere. So, before you book, ask the rental company how customers with your licence get through, and if needed check with customs. Do not count on it being sorted out at the border.
The ferry to Uruguay with a rental car
Colonia Express carries vehicles and lists the documents on its site: registration certificate or title, a valid licence and valid MERCOSUR civil liability insurance; a car that is not yours needs a notarised power of attorney, and tourists from outside MERCOSUR must add a passport and a sworn declaration with the vehicle details. Buquebus, on its documentation page, also asks for MERCOSUR insurance, a licence and the plate number engraved on the windows when you travel with a car. Check the conditions and price of carrying the car with the carrier. With a rental car, first get the papers from the rental company.
The bridge to Uruguay with a rental car
The main road crossing in this direction is the General San Martín International Bridge between Gualeguaychú and Fray Bentos (argentina.gob.ar). Before you leave, check the crossing status and waiting times on the crossing page.
Insurance and passengers on a trip to Uruguay
Civil liability insurance valid in MERCOSUR (often called Carta Verde) covers damage to third parties, not to your own car. Ask the company whether it is included and what to do after an accident in Uruguay. If a child travels without the other parent, that parent’s authorisation is needed (argentina.gob.ar, “Salida de menores al extranjero”). Citizens of the US, Spain, the UK, Russia and Ukraine with an ordinary passport do not need a visa for Uruguay (Uruguayan Ministry of the Interior); for other countries, check the list.
Driving in Uruguay — the basics
Dipped headlights stay on permanently (Ley 18.191, art. 30; daytime running lights are allowed). Alcohol: anything above 0.0 g/l is prohibited (art. 45 as amended by Ley 19.360). For a MERCOSUR vehicle the stay is the period granted by immigration; if the tourist leaves without the vehicle, it can stay up to 90 days with prior notice to customs (gub.uy). The rental mileage counts abroad too: at RS AVTO it is 300 km per day, added up over the whole rental, with US$0.33 per extra km.
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Can I take a rental car from Argentina to Uruguay?
If the rental company allows it and gives you the papers. At RS AVTO you can, if you arrange the trip in advance.
What is the ACM?
The Autorización para Circulación en el MERCOSUR: issued by the rental company, it replaces the owner’s papers for a rental car (ARCA).
Ferry or bridge?
The ferry carries the car across the Río de la Plata; the General San Martín bridge crosses by land from Gualeguaychú. Check prices and conditions with each carrier.
Do I need a visa for Uruguay?
Citizens of the US, Spain, the UK, Russia and Ukraine with an ordinary passport do not; for other countries, check the Uruguayan Ministry of the Interior list.
Do I need a special licence to leave?
ARCA’s rules for MERCOSUR vehicles speak of a licence from a MERCOSUR country. With another licence, check with the rental company and customs first.