Driving in Brazil vs. Guatemala: Key Differences Unveiled
When navigating the roads of Brazil and Guatemala, understanding their distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring road safety. Key contrasts include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol consumption policies, which significantly impact the driving experience in each nation. Equip yourself with this essential knowledge to promote safer travels abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
guatemala:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
brazil:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Brazil | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Guatemala |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brazil | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the vehicle |
| 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Brazil | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
guatemala:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 110 |
| 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
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities