Driving in Brazil vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Brazil and Iceland, drivers encounter unique regulations and practices that can significantly impact their journey. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and emergency contact numbers. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience in both countries.
Lanes
| Brazil | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
iceland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
brazil:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
iceland:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Signals
| Brazil | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brazil:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
brazil:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brazil:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Brazil | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Brazil | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Brazil | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
brazil:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
brazil:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame