Driving in Brazil vs. Liechtenstein: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Brazil and Liechtenstein presents distinct contrasts that are vital for travelers to understand. While Brazil features flexible overtaking rules and dynamic speed limits, Liechtenstein emphasizes stricter regulations, especially regarding alcohol limits and road markings. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your experience and ensure safety on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Brazil | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| 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. | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
liechtenstein:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
liechtenstein:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80 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 | 120 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
liechtenstein:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| Brazil | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | German; 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
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brazil | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on 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
liechtenstein:
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
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Brazil | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
liechtenstein:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
liechtenstein:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; can be substantial, 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 | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
liechtenstein:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay