Rules of the Road · Verified August 2026

Driving Laws in Brazil

Everything a visitor needs before driving in Brazil — which side to drive on, the alcohol limit, national speed limits and licence requirements.

right

Driving Side

steering wheel on the left

0.00

BAC Limit (g/dL)

zero tolerance

110

Motorway Limit

km/h

recommended

Intl. Driving Permit

for foreign visitors

Speed Limits

National Default Speed Limits

Urban / Built-up

60 km/h

Rural / Open Road

100 km/h

Motorway / Highway

110 km/h

Note: Zero tolerance (Lei Seca).

Defaults only — posted signs always override national defaults. Laws verified August 2026; rules change, so confirm with an official source before you travel.

Alcohol & Driving

Drink-Driving Rules in Brazil

General limit: Zero tolerance (0.00)

Reaction time, judgement and night vision all degrade well below any legal threshold — the only limit that guarantees safety is 0.00. Alcohol is a factor in a large share of the world's fatal crashes, and enforcement in Brazil can include checkpoints, licence loss and jail.

Live Tracking

Brazil on the Live Map

Brazil has a WHO-estimated 15.7 road deaths per 100,000 people. See live accident reports and full statistics for Brazil.

Before You Go

Emergency Number

Save Brazil's emergency number before you drive — find it in our worldwide emergency numbers directory. And check your rental's tires with the tire age checker.

Nearby

Driving Laws in Neighbouring Countries

Paraguay Bolivia Suriname Uruguay Guyana Peru

Questions

FAQ

Which side of the road does Brazil drive on?

Brazil drives on the right-hand side of the road (like most of the world).

What is the drink-driving limit in Brazil?

Brazil has a zero-tolerance drink-driving law: any measurable alcohol while driving is an offence.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Brazil?

An IDP is recommended rather than strictly required for most visitors to Brazil — but rental companies and police may still ask for one, and it is cheap insurance.

Is it safe to drive in Brazil?

By the numbers, Brazil has a WHO-estimated road death rate of 15.7 per 100,000 people (global average about 15), which is close to the global average — it ranks 82 of 195 countries from most to least deadly. Traffic drives on the right. Any alcohol at all is illegal behind the wheel. Most road deaths anywhere happen at night, at higher speeds and on rural roads, so plan long drives in daylight and follow the posted limits.