Driving in Brazil vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Brazil and Russia, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key disparities include overtaking rules, speed limits, and alcohol consumption thresholds, all of which significantly impact road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Brazil | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
russia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 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; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Brazil | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brazil | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Brazil | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| 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
russia:
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
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Brazil | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
russia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| 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 | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay