Driving in Brazil vs. Czech Republic: A Safety Guide
When venturing into the roads of Brazil and the Czech Republic, it's essential to understand the notable distinctions in driving practices and regulations. From lane markings to speed limits and etiquette, these countries present unique challenges and requirements that impact roadway safety. Dive into our comparison to prepare for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Only 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 specific road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brazil:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
czech republic:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brazil:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
czech republic:
Not used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brazil:
Signal when exiting
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
brazil:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
brazil:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
brazil:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
brazil:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
brazil:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brazil:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
brazil:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
brazil:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
brazil:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
brazil:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
brazil:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
brazil:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
brazil:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
brazil:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
brazil:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brazil:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
brazil:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
brazil:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
brazil:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
brazil:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
czech republic:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
brazil:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
brazil:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
brazil:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
brazil:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
brazil:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
brazil:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
brazil:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
brazil:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
brazil:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
czech republic:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
brazil:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
brazil:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.