Driving in Austria vs. Brazil: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the road regulations of Austria and Brazil reveals intriguing contrasts that are essential for travelers. From unique lane markings to distinct speed limits, understanding these variances is vital for ensuring your safety on foreign streets. Prepare for a deep dive into the driving customs that keep both nations moving smoothly.
Lanes
| Austria | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
brazil:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
austria:
Yes
brazil:
No
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
brazil:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
brazil:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
brazil:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
brazil:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 60-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
brazil:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
brazil:
60-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
brazil:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
brazil:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
brazil:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
brazil:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
brazil:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Brazil |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
brazil:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
brazil:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
Documentation
| Austria | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | 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 | Yes, proof may be required | Required every year for passenger vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield or license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
brazil:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Austria | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in immediate license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
brazil:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
brazil:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
Emergency Services
| Austria | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 190 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 191 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended, especially at night |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
brazil:
190
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
brazil:
191
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | 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, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; generally 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay