Driving in Brazil vs. Greece: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into the roads of Brazil and Greece, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and legal requirements for foreign drivers. Familiarize yourself with these variations to ensure a smooth and secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
greece:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
greece:
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.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 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 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
greece:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
greece:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Brazil | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Brazil | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| 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 | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on license plate or 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
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Brazil | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| 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 potential penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
greece:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
greece:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; €40 to €700, 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 | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay