Driving Differences: Antigua and Barbuda vs. Brazil
When navigating the roads of Antigua and Barbuda compared to Brazil, travelers will encounter notable contrasts in traffic regulations and vehicle operation. From driving on the left versus the right side to varying speed limits and documentation requirements, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
brazil:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
brazil:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
brazil:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
brazil:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
brazil:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 60-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 60-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 60-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
brazil:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
brazil:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
brazil:
60-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
brazil:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
brazil:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
brazil:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
brazil:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
brazil:
Yes
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Brazil |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
brazil:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
brazil:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Required every year for passenger vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield or license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
brazil:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
brazil:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in immediate license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
brazil:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
Test Refusal
antigua and barbuda:
Can result in license suspension
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
brazil:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 190 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 191 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, especially at night |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
brazil:
190
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
brazil:
191
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
brazil:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines with potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | Fines for all unrestrained passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; generally 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay