You will need a valid drivers license to cross borders. Along with passport and bike papers.
Looking at this recent post:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...hile-non-63372
It appears that he just needed a passport to get the RUT number to allow him to buy a bike in Santiago. So it appears that you can at least find and purchase a bike while you are waiting for your drivers license.
From reading other accounts it sounds like it takes 10 days or so for the bike papers to come through so you can leave the country. I have not bought a bike in Chile so others may know more.
In my experience, the only time you need a drivers license is at borders or if you are pulled over by the police. I'm not saying you should ride around carefully and tour the Chilean countryside while waiting for your drivers license to arrive. Although that is probably what I would do given your circumstances. I would rather ride around and enjoy Chile and if pulled over shrug my shoulders and explain that my replacement license is coming in the mail and pay any fine rather than sit around twiddling my thumbs. That's just me though.
Kindest regards,
John Downs
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