Argentina vs Brazil: Key Driving Differences Explained
When exploring road rules in Argentina and Brazil, drivers encounter notable variances in regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage for overtaking, and documentation requirements. Understanding these discrepancies is crucial for ensuring a safe and smooth journey across these vibrant South American nations.
Lanes
| Argentina | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. |
Overtaking: On Left
argentina:
Yes
brazil:
No
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
brazil:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 60-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
brazil:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
brazil:
60-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
brazil:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
brazil:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
brazil:
80-100 km/h
Signals
| Argentina | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Brazil |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Turns
| Argentina | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
brazil:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
Documentation
| Argentina | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Required every year for passenger vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield or license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
brazil:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in immediate license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
brazil:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
Test Refusal
argentina:
Can result in license suspension
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 190 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 191 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended, especially at night |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
brazil:
190
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
brazil:
191
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines with potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines for all unrestrained passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; generally 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay