Driving in Brazil vs. Chile: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Brazil and Chile, it’s essential to understand the distinct regulations and practices that govern vehicle operation. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and overtaking rules. By familiarizing yourself with these crucial aspects, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brazil:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
chile:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
chile:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
chile:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
chile:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
chile:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Chile |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
chile:
Not used in Chile
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
chile:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
chile:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
chile:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
chile:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
brazil:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
chile:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay