No, radar detectors are illegal in Chile under Decreto Supremo 170/2004, which classifies them as prohibited devices under the Reglamento de Tránsito. The Subsecretaría de Transportes enforces this ban, citing road safety risks. Violations may result in fines or confiscation, with no legal alternatives permitted.
Key Regulations for Radar Detectors in Chile
- Prohibition Status: Decreto Supremo 170/2004 explicitly bans radar detectors, treating them as unauthorized electronic devices under Ley de Tránsito (Law 18.290).
- Enforcement Body: The Subsecretaría de Transportes and Carabineros de Chile conduct roadside checks, seizing devices and imposing penalties under Artículo 190 of the traffic code.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: Amendments to Decreto 170 now classify detectors as “distracting devices,” aligning with broader distracted-driving crackdowns. Importation requires Servicio Nacional de Aduanas approval, which is routinely denied.
Non-compliance risks extend to accessory penalties, including vehicle impoundment for repeat offenses. No exemptions exist for professional or commercial use.