CL · Expiry & renewal tracking
Renew the circulation permit for your whole fleet on time
The circulation permit is a yearly municipal vehicle tax due by 31 March for cars, pickups and motorcycles, within May for taxis and buses, and within September for trucks and machinery (DL 3.063, Article 15). Renewal requires a valid roadworthiness inspection, compulsory insurance and payment of the prior year's tax.
Vehicles using public roads in Chile pay an annual circulation permit tax to the municipality (Municipal Revenue Act, DL 3.063, Article 12). A motor vehicle may not be driven without the circulation permit granted by the municipality, the single licence plate and the compulsory insurance certificate (Traffic Act, Article 51).
Renewal follows fixed dates by vehicle type (DL 3.063, Article 15): private cars, station wagons, vans, pickups, motorcycles and the other vehicles in Article 12(a), together with carts and trailers of up to 1,750 kg, by 31 March; taxis and public passenger vehicles within May; trucks, tractor units, trailers and semi-trailers over 1,750 kg, tractors and self-propelled machinery, scooters and mopeds within September.
The permit is paid at the municipality of the owner's choice and is valid throughout the country (Article 21). To grant it, the municipality requires a valid roadworthiness inspection or type-approval certificate (Traffic Act, Article 89) and the compulsory personal accident insurance certificate (Law 18.490, Article 20). It cannot be renewed until full payment of the previous year's tax is shown (DL 3.063, Article 16).
At a glance
| Cars, pickups, vans, motorcycles and trailers up to 1,750 kg | Renewal by 31 March (DL 3.063, Article 15, item 1) |
|---|---|
| Taxis and public passenger vehicles | Renewal within May (Article 15, item 2) |
| Trucks and trailers over 1,750 kg, machinery, scooters | Renewal within September (Article 15, item 3) |
| Paying in two instalments | First instalment in the ordinary period; the second in August, June or October depending on the group, adjusted for CPI (Article 15) |
| Requirements | Valid roadworthiness inspection or type-approval certificate (Traffic Act, Article 89) and SOAP insurance certificate (Law 18.490, Article 20) |
| Where to pay | At the municipality of the owner's choice; valid nationwide (DL 3.063, Article 21) |
Vehicles getting a permit for the first time pay the tax pro rata for the months remaining in the calendar year (DL 3.063, Article 18).
Who is responsible?
The vehicle owner pays the circulation permit (DL 3.063, Article 21). If it is paid in two instalments, the obligation to pay the second one remains until the vehicle is taken out of circulation and the municipality that granted the permit is told so in writing before the next renewal deadline (Article 15). The owner must also notify that municipality of a change of address within thirty days (Article 21).
If the deadline passes
An owner or driver caught without having paid the circulation permit, or with an expired permit, incurs a fine calculated on the amount due for the permit (DL 3.063, Article 49). Driving without a valid circulation permit is a serious offence (Traffic Act, Article 200, item 25), and a vehicle on the road without one is taken off the road and placed at the disposal of the local police court (Article 56).
Vehicles out of circulation
The tax is not payable for full years in which the vehicle was out of circulation, if this is shown by a simple sworn statement filed with the municipality no later than 30 November of the year in which the tax would be due (DL 3.063, Article 16).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each vehicle and record the legal deadline as its expiry: 31 March, 31 May or 30 September, depending on the vehicle type.
- If you pay in two instalments, create a second record for the last day of the second-instalment month (August, June or October). Also record each vehicle's roadworthiness inspection and SOAP, because the municipality will not grant the permit without them.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day; whoever handles the renewal can upload the new permit through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person to each vehicle, such as the fleet manager; if the deadline passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the circulation permit for a car or pickup due?
- By 31 March (DL 3.063, Article 15, item 1).
- And for a truck?
- Trucks, tractor units, trailers and semi-trailers with a load capacity over 1,750 kg renew within September (Article 15, item 3).
- Can I pay in instalments?
- Yes, in two equal instalments: the first in the ordinary period and the second in August (cars and similar), June (taxis and public passenger vehicles) or October (trucks and machinery), adjusted for CPI (Article 15).
- Do I have to pay at the municipality where I live?
- No. It is paid at the municipality of the owner's choice, after changing the registration where applicable, and is valid throughout the country (Article 21).
Sources
- Decreto 2.385 de 1996, texto refundido del DL 3.063 sobre Rentas Municipales: artículos 12, 15, 16, 18, 21 y 49 (LeyChile, BCN)
- DFL 1 de 2007, texto refundido de la Ley de Tránsito 18.290: artículos 51, 56, 89 y 200 (LeyChile, BCN)
- Ley 18.490, seguro obligatorio de accidentes personales: artículo 20 (LeyChile, BCN)
Last checked: Oct 3, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for vehicle circulation permit (Chile)
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each vehicle circulation permit (Chile) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each vehicle circulation permit (Chile) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.