Brazil vs Saudi Arabia: Key Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Brazil and Saudi Arabia, understanding the unique traffic regulations and cultural practices is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels, with Brazil allowing overtaking on the right, while Saudi Arabia mandates strict zero-tolerance for drinking and driving. Discover these vital contrasts to enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
brazil:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Brazil | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brazil | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| 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
saudi arabia:
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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Alcohol
| Brazil | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
brazil:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay