Driving in Brazil vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique nuances of road rules between Brazil and Spain as we delve into their distinct driving regulations. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol restrictions and emergency contacts, understanding these variations is crucial for a safe journey. Prepare for your travels by exploring the key contrasts that ensure your safety on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Brazil | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
brazil:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 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 | 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, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Brazil | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Brazil | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Brazil | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Brazil | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| 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
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay