Destinations / Brazil
Driving in Brazil as a visitor
Usually yes. Brazil expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Brazil expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 190 (police), 192 (ambulance) |
| Top speed limit | 110–120 km/h rodovias |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| Booklet format they know | 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in BRL. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Lights | Headlights on during the day on highways. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance alcohol law (Lei Seca). |
| Documents | Carry original licence + IDP — photocopies not accepted. |
| Speed | Radar speed enforcement is widespread. |
On the road in Brazil
At the pump
Stations sell gasolina comum (already ~27% ethanol), gasolina aditivada, pure etanol (hydrous ethanol) and diesel; most rental cars are flex-fuel and run on either petrol or ethanol. Attendants pump the fuel; ethanol is cheaper but only worth it below ~70% of the petrol price.
After a crash
Call 190 (Military Police) or 193 (fire/rescue) for injuries. Do not move the vehicles unless they block traffic or are unsafe, notify the rental company immediately, and obtain a police occurrence report (Boletim de Ocorrencia) for insurance.
Sources: tollguru.com · internationaldriversassociation.com · en.wikipedia.org · zestcarrental.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Brazil?
Usually yes. Brazil expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does Brazil accept?
Brazil recognises the 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Brazil ask for one?
Localiza and Movida ask for the physical IDP plus your home licence at the counter.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.