Driving in Brazil vs. Oman: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Brazil and Oman, distinct variations emerge that affect travel safety and driving practices. Key differences include speed limits, overtaking rules, and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these disparities can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad, ensuring a safer journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Brazil | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
oman:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
oman:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
oman:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80-100 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 | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
oman:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Signals
| Brazil | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Oman |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Arabic; 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
oman:
Not used in Oman
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brazil | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
oman:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Regular inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
oman:
Regular inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
oman:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use more frequent compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Brazil | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
oman:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
oman:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 9999 |
| 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 | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
oman:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment