Driving in Brazil vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Brazil and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly influence their experience. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and signaling methods, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. This comparison highlights key aspects to consider for a smooth ride in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
brazil:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
brazil:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
brazil:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brazil:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
brazil:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brazil:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
brazil:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brazil:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
brazil:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brazil:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
brazil:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
brazil:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
brazil:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
brazil:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay