Which Side of the Road Does Brazil Drive On?

No. Brazil drives on the right-hand side of the road, and vehicles have the steering wheel on the left. This aligns Brazil with most of the Americas and continental Europe, a standard that influences road design, signage, and cross-border travel throughout the region.

How Brazil’s Driving Side Fits Into Regional Patterns

Brazil’s right-hand traffic norm is consistent across its vast territory and most of its land borders. This continuity simplifies interstate travel, logistics, and regional trade, with only a few neighboring exceptions requiring special attention at border crossings.

Cross-Border Considerations

Travelers going by road in and out of Brazil should understand how driving conventions shift at certain borders. Below is a quick guide to what to expect with Brazil’s neighbors.

• Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and French Guiana: Drive on the right—no changeover needed.
• Guyana: Drives on the left—there is a built-in side-switch on the Takutu River Bridge between Bonfim (Brazil) and Lethem (Guyana) to safely transition between driving sides.
• Suriname: Drives on the left—there is no direct highway bridge between Suriname and Brazil; overland connections typically route via Guyana or involve river and remote tracks.

In practice, drivers will only encounter an active left/right changeover facility at the Guyana border; other crossings are right-to-right or not directly connected by highway infrastructure.

Why Brazil Drives on the Right

Brazil’s right-hand driving dates back to early motorization and harmonization with continental standards. The country’s modern rules are codified in the Brazilian Traffic Code (Código de Trânsito Brasileiro, CTB) and regulated by the National Traffic Council (CONTRAN), which standardizes everything from lane usage to signage nationwide.

What Drivers Can Expect Inside Brazil

Visitors and new residents should be aware of common on-the-road norms that reflect Brazil’s right-hand traffic system. The following points summarize the essentials.

• Lane usage and overtaking: Keep right except to pass; overtake on the left where permitted.
• Roundabouts: Yield to traffic already circulating unless signs indicate otherwise.
• Steering position: Cars are left-hand drive; right-hand-drive vehicles are not standard and generally not allowed for regular road use.
• Speed and units: Speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour; enforcement via fixed and mobile cameras is common.
• Signage and language: Road signs follow Brazilian/CONTRAN standards and are in Portuguese; symbols are broadly intuitive for international drivers.
• Seat belts and safety: Seat belts are mandatory; there is effectively zero tolerance for drink-driving under Brazil’s “Lei Seca” (Dry Law), with strict penalties.
• Tolls and highways: Major corridors include tolled sections; electronic tags are common, and payment options vary by operator.

These norms, together with clear signage and widespread enforcement, make Brazil’s right-side system familiar to drivers from most countries in the Americas and Europe.

Licensing and Practical Tips for Visitors

If you plan to drive in Brazil as a visitor, it helps to know the documentation and best practices that make road travel smoother. The points below cover what’s typically expected.

• Driver’s license: Tourists can use a valid foreign license for a limited period (commonly up to 180 days); an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for translation and ease with rental agencies.
• Insurance and rentals: Carry proof of insurance; rental firms may require a credit card and IDP, and can brief you on local regulations.
• Navigation: Urban traffic can be dense; consider GPS apps with live traffic and offline maps in remote areas.
• Emergency numbers: Dial 190 for police, 192 for medical emergency (SAMU), and 193 for fire/rescue.

With proper documentation and awareness of local rules, driving in Brazil is straightforward for those accustomed to right-hand traffic.

Comparing Brazil to Left-Side Neighbors

While most of South America drives on the right, Guyana and Suriname are the regional exceptions on the left. Brazil’s only practical left-right changeover for motorists is at the Guyana frontier, where road engineering ensures a safe transition between systems. French Guiana, despite its European ties, also drives on the right, keeping its crossing with Brazil seamless.

Summary

Brazil drives on the right-hand side of the road, with left-hand-drive vehicles, aligning with the majority of the Americas. Road rules are standardized nationwide, border transitions are straightforward—except for the engineered switch to left-side driving at the Guyana crossing—and visitors can drive with a valid foreign license (IDP recommended) while observing strict safety and drink-driving laws.