Car rental in Brazil
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Popular cities in Brazil
Why drive in Brazil
Driving in Brazil opens classic routes like Rio to Paraty along the Costa Verde or Sao Paulo to the mountain town of Campos do Jordao. Highways link big cities to beaches, hills and colonial centres.
With your own car you can explore the vineyard roads of Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais historic towns or the dunes around Jericoacoara. Choose your own rhythm, stopping for viewpoints and village cafes.
Good to know before you drive
The essentials for a smooth, ticket-free trip.
Speed limits
Parking
Paid short-stay zones in city centres — buy a ticket and display it.
Alcohol limit
Typically 0.05% blood-alcohol limit; lower for new drivers.
Vignette / tolls
Check whether a motorway vignette or tolls apply — many rentals include one.
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Why book with us
Practical Information for Drivers
Fines
A new penalty system has been in use in Brazil since 2009. Drivers who commit serious traffic violations can be punished with a fine or imprisonment. Penalty points are also awarded - when their number reaches the maximum limit, the driver is deprived of their licence and has to obtain it again.
Violation | Fine |
Parking in an unauthorised location | 300-450 pesos |
Speeding | 300-2000 pesos |
Using a mobile device while driving | 300 pesos |
Not wearing a seat belt | 300 pesos |
Driving through a red light | 670 pesos |
Drink-driving | 3350 pesos (in some cases - imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years) |
Inspectors on Brazilian roads are rare - traffic is monitored by special cameras and speed radars. When renting a car in Brazil, you must be prepared for the fact that local drivers often do not follow traffic rules and may overtake or drive through red lights.
Speed Limits
In Brazil, speed limit rules are less strict than in some other countries:
- The maximum speed in built-up areas must not exceed 60 km/h;
- On motorways, general traffic may move at a speed of up to 120 km/h, but no more.
Drivers are advised to be very careful because of the extensive use of active speed radar monitoring.
Parking: what you need to know when travelling by car in Brazil
Parking space in Brazil is a real problem - there is an acute shortage. Local drivers often leave vehicles wherever they like: blocking the central part of the road, "propping up" other cars, etc. Many offices and organisations have their own car parks. Many car parks are located underground. In areas with a sign in the form of a crossed-out letter "E" parking is prohibited. If a parking area is marked "azul", it means it is only for owners of special cards.
Most city parking is paid, with varying rates:
- 1 hour in a busy central area - 10 USD;
- 1 hour in a remote area - 2-3 USD.
In large parking areas, staff help you find a space and issue a receipt for payment, but they are not responsible for the safety of the vehicle.
The cost of fuel
The country has average fuel prices for both petrol and diesel. You can expect approximately the following:
- 1 litre of petrol will cost 1.06 USD;
- 1 litre of diesel fuel costs about 2 USD.
Typically, in more developed countries fuel prices are higher, while in less developed or oil-exporting countries prices are lower.
Toll roads
There are toll roads in the country that are under private management. Opinions about them are mixed, as the cost of using toll roads is quite high. For example, a driver will have to spend about $60 to go from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo. As for the benefits, toll roads are always of high quality and are called "green".
What drivers say about Brazil
"We landed in São Paulo tired and hungry, but picking up the car was super quick and the staff were friendly. The car was clean, nearly new and perfect for our road trip. booking car made everything smooth and stress‑free."
"I booked a compact car in Rio through bookingcar and was really impressed. Clear instructions, quick pickup and the car was in excellent condition, with good fuel economy. Only wish there had been a phone holder, but overall it was a great, hassle‑free rental experience."
"I travelled with a friend and Bookingcar was easy to use, car great, just a bit slow at drop‑off."
Renting in Brazil — FAQ
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