Information for Travelers Renting a Car in Brazil

Brazil Driving License Requirements

The driving license requirements in Brazil are that you must be at least 18 years old and have a full driving license valid in your country of residence. You must have an international driving license or a national driving license together with your passport. If you plan to stay in Brazil longer than three months, you must carry a driving license issued in Brazil or an international license. You will be asked to present these documents when collecting a car from Salvador and other destinations in Brazil.

Rental Age Restrictions in Brazil

The age restriction in Brazil states that you must be 21 years old or more to drive in Sao Paulo and other cities and must have held a driving license for at least 2 years.

Popular Driving Routes in Brazil

• Santos to Sao Paulo - 50 miles (1 hour 15 mins)

• Rio de Janeiro to Macae - 115 miles (2 hours 25 mins)

Road Rules and Gas Stations in Brazil

General Brazil driving information, laws, rules and regulations:

• Driving in Brazil is on the right hand side of the road.

• Seat belts are mandatory when driving a rental car in Brazil.

• The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, with the exception of a hands-free system.

• Drivers are to carry a valid driver's license, registration documents and insurance documents at all times while driving.

• Gas stations in Brazil are generally not difficult to find in cities or on main connecting roads, but may be much less common in remote and sparsely populated areas. Poor quality fuel can be an issue, and we suggest that you purchase fuel from a reliable source.

Are there tolls in Brazil?

Many inter-city roads in Brazil are toll roads. Drivers queue and pay at booths before proceeding along the Brazil toll routes.

Parking Information for Rental Cars in Brazil

It is generally not safe to park on the street in Brazil. Break-ins and subsequent car thefts are a significant problem in certain places, including São Paulo. Whenever possible, park your rental in the parking lots of apartments, hotels or shopping malls.

When parking on the street, it is common practice for individuals to help find a parking place nearby and then guard a vehicle or vehicles. They expect to be paid for this service and it is an unofficial yet valuable source of income for many. It is self-regulating and generally trustworthy.

One-Way Car Rentals in Brazil

Brazil One way car rentals are permitted but the fees are not standardized. Each one way rental must be a minimum of a three day contract.

If you plan to drive with a Brazil car rental you can pick it up in one location and return it to another location but there are some restrictions that you need to check with your car rental supplier.

When visiting Brazil, it is important to have a look at some of the above Brazil driving information, rules and regulations to ensure you have the safest possible journey.

Additional Information for Travelers to Brazil

Brazil has the largest road network in Latin America, with over 1 million miles. Booking a car rental is a good idea if you want to explore scenic areas, like the historic cities of Minas Gerais, the Rio-Santos highway or the beaches in northeast Brazil. Many roads are in good condition, especially in the east and south of the country and along the coast. In other areas and outside the metropolitan regions, there are also gravel and dirt roads for which an off-road vehicle is strongly recommended

Brazil Time Difference

Within the borders of Brazil, travelers could be in one of four different time zones. GMT-2, GMT-3, GMT-4 and GMT-5 are the four zones within the country. When comparing to US time zones, GMT-4 is aligned with our Eastern Standard Time Zone.

Language in Brazil

Portuguese is spoken by nearly 100% of the population.

Electricity in Brazil

Brasilia and Recife operate on 220 volts AC. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo use 127 volts AC, or 220 volts in larger hotels. Plugs are of the two-pin type. Most hotels provide 110-volt and 220-volt outlets, transformers and adaptors.

Currency in Brazil

The currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real (BRL) - $1 USD is equal to $4.04 BRL.

Tourism in Brazil

When booking a car rental in Brazil, be sure to have a look at the following websites to find out Brazil tourism office locations, places to visit and further information you may need before traveling. To know more, visit the official Brazilian Tourism Site.

Brazil Visa & Embassy Information

US citizens planning a trip with a car rental in Brazil are permitted as tourists without a visa for a maximum initial stay of 90 days. It is important to be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient money to fund the duration of your stay, and that you also have details of your accommodation and a return airline ticket or evidence that you are going to leave the country by other means of transport. If not, there is a considerable risk of being denied entry into the country.

The US Embassy in Brazil is located in the capital city of Brasilia.