Checkpoints

[rdcooper]

What are those checkpoints for that I see in so many travel videos of Argentina when you enter a city, or go from one province to another?

 

[Joepf]

There are 'fitosanitario' checkpoints on some provincial borders. Sometimes there's nobody on them, and if there is, they seem to stop trucks more than cars. You might be asked to open the back of the car for a search. Certain organic produce can't be taken into some provinces to protect crops from pests.

Then there are police checks. They seem to stop cars at random just to check everything's in order and, I guess, maybe check for drink/drugs. They make me nervous because I still drive on a foreign licence, but I've never had a problem.

Then there are toll gates on some privately managed motorways and rutas nacionales where you have to pay for using the road.

 

[LuckyLuke]

What are those checkpoints for that I see in so many travel videos of Argentina when you enter a city, or go from one province to another?

They are exactly that...checkpoints...they check for stolen cars, expired licenses, prohibited goods in transit (fruit, meats), etc.

I drove for 2 years on a foreign license, never had any issues with controls. The more important issue is whether your car insurance will cover you on a foreign license.

Cordoba, I have been told, is the most strict. They check to make sure you have a fire extinguisher, that it is not expired, that you have a body bag in your trunk for each passenger, that you have your vehicle inspection papers up to date, etc.

 

[carride]

Most often they are setup at entrance or exit of the town, requiring everyone to drive through at a low speed. If it is the police they look for driver without a seatbelt, or if your headlights are off, and that is a reason to wave you to the side for a fine or further inspection. In Argentina it is extremely rare to see a police pull over a car while either is driving at cruising speed, so this is their only opportunity to control for safe cars and safe drivers. As mentioned above there are also the special fitosanitario checkpoints which are well known and permanent, and also might collect a toll fee before having a disinfect wash sprayed quickly in an auto wash before heading back onto the road

Finally there is the gendarmerie who are a federal force mostly to check immigration and protect the country borders. They also might take the opportunity to search for contraband. Often they work with the local police checkpoints in towns which are near the borders.

Almost all these stops are casual and non-intimidating. Most of the time you just pass thru, or if stopped it is only to 2 minutes to check license, registration, and insurance. Or open the trunk to find an banana. There are no delays for a computer lookup.

 

[julia_en_ruta]

They are exactly that...checkpoints...they check for stolen cars, expired licenses, prohibited goods in transit (fruit, meats), etc.

I drove for 2 years on a foreign license, never had any issues with controls. The more important issue is whether your car insurance will cover you on a foreign license.

Cordoba, I have been told, is the most strict. They check to make sure you have a fire extinguisher, that it is not expired, that you have a body bag in your trunk for each passenger, that you have your vehicle inspection papers up to date, etc.

Sorry -- a body bag for each passenger?? I don't have a car, so I don't know the rules.