Driving Differences: Brazil vs. Colombia Explained
Explore the driving landscape of Brazil and Colombia, where distinct regulations and practices shape the road experience. Key differences include the rules for overtaking, speed limits, and emergency protocols. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in these vibrant South American nations.
Lanes
| Brazil | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
colombia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
colombia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
colombia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
colombia:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
colombia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
colombia:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
colombia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
colombia:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
Signals
| Brazil | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Colombia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brazil | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle |
| 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
colombia:
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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
colombia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Brazil | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in many areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
colombia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 123 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 123 or local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
colombia:
123
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
colombia:
123 or local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
colombia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Colombia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | $100 to $300, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay