Driving in Brazil vs. Egypt: Key Differences You Should Know
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Brazil and Egypt, where distinct regulations and practices shape the experience on the roads. Key differences include overtaking rules, speed limits, and the usage of lanes. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and informed journey in either country.
Lanes
| Brazil | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Typically used by buses and minibuses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Not consistently marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Often unmarked. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
egypt:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
egypt:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
egypt:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
egypt:
Often unmarked.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
egypt:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are often paid immediately |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
egypt:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
egypt:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
egypt:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
egypt:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
egypt:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
egypt:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
egypt:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
Signals
| Brazil | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Egypt |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines can occur for excessive misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal other drivers or warn of presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not officially regulated |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some situations due to high traffic density |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangles with a red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
Horn Usage: Allowed
brazil:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
Horn Usage: Penalties
brazil:
Fines may apply for misuse
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
brazil:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
brazil:
Not to be used to signal other messages
egypt:
Not officially regulated
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brazil:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
Turns
| Brazil | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid Egyptian 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 | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Provided after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
brazil:
Valid driver's license required
egypt:
Valid Egyptian 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
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
egypt:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Common in high traffic areas |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, though not always observed |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Give way and allow passage |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
brazil:
Discouraged, fines may apply
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brazil:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
Use Of Horn: Limited
brazil:
Only in emergency situations
egypt:
Commonly used
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
Alcohol
| Brazil | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| 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 | Conducted frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
egypt:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
egypt:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
egypt:
Conducted frequently
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
egypt:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
egypt:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
egypt:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Significant fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Yes; fines are often paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a few weeks |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks