Guide to Driving In Brazil - Drive Safe in Brazil

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Brazil and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

30 - 60 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

60-80 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

80-110 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 20mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Brazil on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Brazil is BRL
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Brazil 1.04 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Brazil

Driving in Brazil
Pocket guide to driving in Brazil
Profile:
Brazil
Brasilia
BRL
Driving in Brazil
SPEED: (kph)
30 - 60
60-80
80-110
Speed limit in Brazil
Holiday:
Rush hour in Brazil
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Brazil
FUEL:
1.04
1.09
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Brazil
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Brazil
DRINK:
20mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Brazil
EMERGENCY:
190
Emergency phone number in Brazil
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Brazil
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Brazil
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Brazil
See here for current child seats law in Brazil

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Brazil?

In Brazil you drive on the right with overtaking on the left. Brazil is not the safest place in the world to drive with unpredictable drivers, roads and relatively high rates of accidents and theft. Brazil has one of the highest fatality rates in the world. Fire extinguishers and first aid kits should be carried in cars in Brazil. You should always keep your doors locked at night to prevent car jackings and watch out that cars do not box you in at red lights. Although most of the main state roads are in good condition, elsewhere in the country pot holes and animals are a major cause of road accidents and so driving at night should be avoided where possible. Driving during or after the rainy season can also be hazardous. Watch out for unmarked speed bumps in places. 

Anteater Road Sign in Brazil

In Brazil drivers warn cars behind them not to pass with a flashing left signal. This could be for a number of reasons but generally indicates that it is not safe to overtake. Cars that come towards you flashing their headlights are warning you of impending obstacles such as animals or the presence of the police. Trucks should always be viewed with caution as there is no law which requires truck drivers to stop regularly and rest. Brazilian drivers may well stop suddenly if they see a speed camera.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 190

Police Fire: 192

Police Ambulance: 193

Notes: 193 for firefighters and medical emergencies

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.08

€ 1.06

Feb , 2024

€ 1.09

€ 1.04

Jan , 2024

€ 1.10

€ 1.04

Dec , 2023

€ 1.12

€ 1.05

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
Places where you cannot park are clearly indicated in the cities, not so in smaller towns. Brazil is a dangerous country and it is better to park in a manned public car park covered by CCTV where possible for your protection and that of your car.
 
Paid parking
 
There is paid roadside parking in many areas of the big cities. Most parking spaces are either metered or have arrows directing you to the ticket machine. It is much safer to park in municipal staffed car parks. 
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is down to the police and they are quite hot on illegal parking, resorting to the 'on the spot' fine where they can. If asked for a fine, ask to pay it at the local police station if you can. 
 
Disabled parking
 
There is little in the way of help for disabled drivers although you will find people to be helpful if you ask for assistance. Make sure you only ask officials as you can put yourself and your car at risk otherwise. 
 

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 190

Police Fire: 192

Police Ambulance: 193

The emergency number in Brazil is 190 for the police, 192 for fire and 193 for ambulance. To contact the American Embassy in Brazil visit https://br.usembassy.gov/.

What to do in an emergency

Unless someone is hurt or there is serious damage, few people involve the police as it complicates the resolution of the difficulty. If an emergency can be sorted out amicably, try not to involve the police. If you cannot reach a conclusion then it is sometimes better to call them on 190. Whilst waiting for them, take photographs of the scene and get witness statements where possible.You should give a copy of the police report to your insurance company. Do not give a lift to anyone who is hurt – this can make you liable for the accident.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

  • Driving licence - Carteira de Habilitacao
  • Speed humps - Lombadas
  • Useful road map which has current information on road conditions- Guia de Estradas
  • Seat Belt - Cinto de seguranca
  • Vehicle licence papers - Certificado de Registro e Licenciamento do Veiculo (CLVR)
  • Turning permitted at red light sign - Livre a direita
  • I have broken down - Tenho dividido
  • Where is the police station? - Onde é a estação de polícia? 
  • I have a flat tyre - Eu tenho um pneu furado
  • I have been in an accident - Eu estive em um acidente
  • Where is? - Onde está? 
  • Where can I buy petrol? - Onde posso comprar a gasolina?

Brazil Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.08

€ 1.06

Feb , 2024

€ 1.09

€ 1.04

Jan , 2024

€ 1.10

€ 1.04

Dec , 2023

€ 1.12

€ 1.05

Nov , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.05

Oct , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.07

Sep , 2023

€ 1.17

€ 1.12

Aug , 2023

€ 0.92

€ 1.03

Jul , 2023

€ 0.93

€ 1.05

Jun , 2023

€ 0.98

€ 0.99

May , 2023

€ 1.04

€ 1.02

Apr , 2023

€ 1.07

€ 0.99

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Mar , 2024 1.08 1.06
Feb , 2024 1.09 1.04
Jan , 2024 1.10 1.04
Dec , 2023 1.12 1.05
Nov , 2023 1.13 1.05
Oct , 2023 1.13 1.07
Sep , 2023 1.17 1.12
Aug , 2023 0.92 1.03
Jul , 2023 0.93 1.05
Jun , 2023 0.98 0.99
May , 2023 1.04 1.02
Apr , 2023 1.07 0.99

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Brazil and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

Visitor Comments

  • 27/11/2018

    Rene

    Completely agree with Rafael. This website portrait our country as if nobody would abide the laws. Try to do that in BR and you'll be stopped by a policeman. Follow the law as most of us do!
  • 02/11/2018

    Rafael Luiz

    Technically you shouldn't turn right on a red light but all local drivers do. " "Creeping through a red light is common as is blatant ignoring of the signal. Exercise extreme caution at traffic lights!" Are you kidding, right!? I live in Brazil and I know this is not true.
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