Effective September 2026
These terms govern your use of the 4Drive Chile booking platform. By completing a booking, you accept these conditions in full. Please read them carefully before proceeding with any reservation.
4Drive Chile provides an online booking platform connecting customers with local vehicle rental providers operating across Chile. We facilitate the reservation process and collect the initial booking advance on behalf of the rental company. The actual rental agreement is a separate contract between you and the local rental provider, signed at the time you collect the vehicle.
Your booking confirmation and voucher contain details of the rental company, their contact information, and the specific terms that apply to your reservation. The rental company is responsible for providing the vehicle, managing the rental period, and handling any issues that arise during your hire.
When you complete a booking through our platform, you receive a voucher by email. This voucher must be presented when collecting the vehicle. At the rental counter, you will sign a rental agreement directly with the local provider. That agreement governs your rights and obligations during the rental period.
The rental agreement will include a vehicle condition report. Any existing damage must be recorded in this document before you drive away. We recommend photographing the vehicle from all angles and ensuring scratches, dents, or other marks are noted. The rental company's terms regarding insurance coverage, excess liability, permitted drivers, and acceptable use are detailed in the agreement you sign at collection.
Collection procedures vary by provider. Some operate rental desks at airports such as Santiago SCL, while others arrange delivery to hotels or city addresses in locations including Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, and Puerto Natales. Your voucher specifies the collection method and contact details for the rental company.
At the time of booking, you pay a booking advance online by debit or credit card through our secure payment system. This advance is a portion of the total rental cost. The remaining balance is paid when you collect the vehicle.
The acceptable payment method for the balance depends on the specific vehicle you have booked. This information is clearly stated during the booking process and confirmed in your voucher. Some vehicles accept payment by debit card or cash, while others may require a credit card. Check your voucher before travelling to ensure you have an appropriate payment method available.
We do not accept cash for the online booking advance. All online transactions must be completed by card. If you do not have a credit card and your chosen vehicle requires one for the balance, consider increasing the spending limit on your debit card or selecting a different vehicle with more flexible payment terms.
The rental company may block a security deposit on a payment card when you collect the vehicle. This is a separate transaction from the rental payment. The deposit amount and the required card type depend on the specific vehicle you have booked, not on the vehicle class or category.
Your voucher states the deposit requirements for your reservation. The blocked amount is held during the rental period and released after you return the vehicle without damage. Processing times for releasing the hold vary by card issuer and typically range from a few days to two weeks.
Some vehicles available through our platform are offered without a deposit requirement. This does not change the excess liability stated in the rental agreement. If damage occurs, you remain responsible for the excess amount specified in your rental contract. The absence of a deposit requirement and the level of excess coverage are independent factors.
All drivers must present a valid driving licence at the rental counter. Foreign licences are accepted in Chile, though an International Driving Permit is recommended as a supporting document. The licence must have been held for the minimum period specified in your voucher, typically one to two years depending on the vehicle.
Additional drivers can be added to the rental agreement at the counter. This service carries a fee, which the rental company will explain when you collect the vehicle. Only drivers named in the rental agreement are permitted to operate the vehicle. Allowing an unauthorised person to drive invalidates the rental contract and any associated coverage.
You must bring your booking voucher, driving licence, and the payment card or cash needed for the balance and any applicable deposit. Without these documents, the rental company may refuse to release the vehicle, and standard cancellation terms will apply.
Vehicles must be driven in accordance with Chilean traffic laws. Urban speed limits are generally 50-60 km/h, while highway limits reach 100-120 km/h. Right-hand traffic rules apply throughout the country. Ruta 5, the Pan-American Highway, uses electronic toll collection at plazas where you pay by card or cash.
Some unpaved routes require vehicles with suitable ground clearance and four-wheel-drive systems. The 95 km route from San Pedro de Atacama to El Tati Geysers is unpaved. Carretera Austral sections involve ferry crossings that must be booked in advance through the rental company. Winter snow affects Andes passes from June to September, and chains may be required.
Crossing into Argentina requires written permission from the rental company, arranged before you collect the vehicle. Driving into Argentina without this authorisation breaches the rental agreement and invalidates coverage. Request this permission when making your booking if you plan to cross the border.
If you need to modify your booking dates, collection location, or vehicle type, contact us at [email protected]. Changes are subject to availability and may involve additional charges. Amendments requested close to the collection date may not be possible due to operational constraints.
Cancellation terms depend on how far in advance you cancel. Details of applicable fees are provided when you make your booking and are included in your confirmation email. If you do not collect the vehicle at the agreed time and location, and you have not notified us in advance, the booking is treated as a no-show and standard cancellation charges apply.
4Drive Chile acts as a booking booking service. We are not responsible for the condition of vehicles, the conduct of rental company staff, roadside assistance response times, or events that occur during your rental period. These matters are governed by the rental agreement you sign with the local provider.
We do not control road conditions, weather events, ferry schedules, border crossing procedures, or other factors that may affect your travel plans. You are responsible for checking route conditions, obtaining necessary permissions, and ensuring your travel documents are valid.
The rental company is liable for matters covered by the rental agreement. Their insurance provisions, excess liability terms, and roadside assistance policies are detailed in the contract you sign at collection. Any claims arising from vehicle defects or incidents during the rental must be directed to the rental provider.
If you experience issues during your rental, contact the rental company immediately using the details provided in your voucher. They are best placed to resolve operational problems, arrange replacement vehicles, or provide roadside assistance.
For concerns about the booking process, payment issues, or discrepancies between the voucher and the service provided, email us at [email protected]. Include your booking reference and a clear description of the issue. We aim to respond within two business days during our operating hours, Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (GMT-3).
Our address is Providencia, Santiago, Chile. Written correspondence can be sent to this address, though email communication is faster and allows us to access your booking details more efficiently.
These terms are governed by the laws of Chile. Any disputes arising from your use of the 4Drive Chile platform or your booking are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Chilean courts.
The rental agreement you sign with the local provider is a separate contract, also governed by Chilean law. That agreement may contain dispute resolution procedures specific to the rental company. Refer to the terms in your signed rental contract for details.