Driving in Brazil
If you are a US resident, you can obtain an Inter-American Driving Permit from the AAA which allows you to drive in Brazil. Otherwise an International Driving Permit with your home license is required.
The road conditions in Brazil really vary throughout the country. The state roads are quite well maintained and are excellent. However, the federal and interstate roads are extremely poor because of low maintenance. The areas that are governed by the municipality, signs, shoulders and exits are quite haphazard and confusing. The roads are not very smooth as there are many potholes and uneven surfaces. Many roads have speedbumps which at times are not indicated clearly and are therefore quite dangerous. Outside the big cities, dirt roads are common and can become dangerous to travel on after dark and especially during the rainy season.
The inter-city roads in Brazil are world-renowned as being dangerous and unsafe. A combination of bad driving skills, horrible road conditions and an abundance of trucks makes driving down these roads almost next to impossible. Most of these inter city roads have only two lanes which are forever crowded with trucks. There is no law in brazil which requires truck drivers to make compulsory stops to rest and therefore many drive for long distances. This can prove to be quite dangerous as accidents due to fatigue and drowsiness are common.
Violation of Brazilian traffic laws can cost you heavy fines. You should keep a few rules in mind while driving. All states in Brazil use seatbelts. However, the enforcement depends on which state you are travelling in. Some states require child car seats of standard quality. However these are not readily available and are quite expensive. This can pose to be a problem. Although there are set speed limits for different regions, they are rarely followed and enforced. Many roads as a result have radar traps and speed cameras to photograph violators in the act. A ticket is issued if you break speed laws. Be very careful as Brazilians tend to brake suddenly if they spot such a device.
The amount of legally allowed alcohol in the blood is 60mg. Drinking and driving is prohibited. Pedestrian crossing are strictly observed in a few places while they are ignored elsewhere. It is important you are familiar with the route you are planning to take in order to avoid danger and crime. Always carry abundant amounts of food and water to avoid fatigue and dehydration. Take frequent stops while traversing long distances. Even though speed limits are not strictly enforced, it is important to follow them especially because you are in a foreign country.
Remember to carry important documentation with you at all times. Carry your driver’s license or international permit, vehicle registration, certificate of insurance and passport. Keep these strictly out of sight and show them only to authorized officials. If the car is not owned by you, it is recommended that you carry a letter from the owner stating permission to drive.
With the Brazilian rules and regulations firmly understood, driving through any kind of traffic should not be that difficult.
Additional Information
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