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Driving in Brazil vs Sweden: Key Differences to Know

When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances in road regulations is essential for a secure journey. This comparison between Brazil and Sweden reveals notable distinctions in traffic practices, from lane markings to speed limits. While Brazil emphasizes flexibility in overtaking, Sweden prioritizes structured safety measures, ensuring a safer driving experience for all.

Lanes

Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
brazil:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brazil:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
sweden:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.

Speeds Limits

Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.

Signals

Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
brazil:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brazil:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brazil:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
brazil:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
brazil:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
brazil:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
brazil:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brazil:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
brazil:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.

Turns

Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
brazil:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
brazil:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
brazil:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
brazil:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.

Documentation

Driver's License: Requirement
brazil:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
brazil:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.

Road Etiquette

Flashing Lights: Usage
brazil:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
brazil:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brazil:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
brazil:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
brazil:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
brazil:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
brazil:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.

Alcohol

Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
brazil:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
brazil:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
brazil:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.

Roundabouts

Priority: Entering
brazil:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
brazil:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
brazil:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
brazil:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
brazil:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
brazil:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.

Emergency Services

Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.

Penalties And Fines

Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
brazil:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
brazil:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.