Destinations / Brazil
Driving in Brazil as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Rental companies and local authorities in Brazil commonly ask foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence; Localiza and other desks ask for the original document.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Brazil expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| 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 | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| 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?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Rental companies and local authorities in Brazil commonly ask foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence; Localiza and other desks ask for the original document.
Which translation format is used for Brazil?
Brazil uses the 1968 Vienna convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Brazil ask for a translation?
Localiza and Movida ask for the physical IDP plus your home licence at the counter.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Brazil?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in South America
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.