Driving in Brazil vs Estonia: A Safety Comparison
Exploring the contrasts between Brazil and Estonia reveals significant variations in their road rules and safety protocols. From overtaking regulations to speed limits, each country has unique practices that affect drivers. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and compliant journey when navigating unfamiliar roads abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
estonia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
estonia:
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.
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
estonia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
estonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Brazil | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Estonia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Estonian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
brazil:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brazil | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 every year; proof must be carried |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the 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
estonia:
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
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Brazil | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
| 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 |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
estonia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 112 |
| 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 | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
estonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
estonia:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
estonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties