Driving in Brazil vs. Madagascar: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Brazil and Madagascar, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that greatly influence their travel experiences. From lane usage and speed restrictions to traffic signals and penalties, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safe navigation in both countries. Explore the key contrasts to enhance your driving confidence abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
madagascar:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brazil:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
brazil:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
brazil:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
brazil:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
brazil:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
brazil:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brazil:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Indication may vary |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brazil:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
brazil:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
brazil:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
brazil:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
brazil:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority