Do you need an International Driving Permit in Brazil?

Yes. Brazil is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, which recognises an International Driving Permit valid for up to 3 years when carried with your national licence.

Convention: 1968 Vienna Convention
Permit valid up to: 3 years
In force since: 29 October 1980

Brazil and the road traffic conventions

Convention	Status	In force since	Permit validity
1968 Vienna Convention	Ratified	29 October 1980	3 years
1949 Geneva Convention	Not a party	—	—

Which vehicles your permit covers in Brazil

Brazil applies the vehicle classes set out by the 1968 Vienna Convention. Your permit only covers the classes that are already on your national licence, so a category you do not hold at home is not granted by the permit.

The Portuguese page of the International Driving Agency booklet, listing vehicle categories A to E — The Portuguese page of our booklet, showing the same categories an officer in Brazil would read.

A
B
C
D
BE, CE, DE

What each category covers under the 1968 Vienna Convention

What to carry when you drive in Brazil

An International Driving Permit never replaces your national licence. It is a standardised translation that local police and rental desks can read, and it is only valid alongside the licence it was issued against. Carry both, and keep your passport handy at rental pickup, since most rental companies ask to see all three before releasing a vehicle.

Our document reproduces your licence details across 12 languages in the booklet format the conventions describe, so an officer who reads none of them in your alphabet can still find your name, date of birth and vehicle classes:

English
French
Spanish
Portuguese
Italian
German
Russian
Arabic
Chinese
Japanese
Thai
Vietnamese

The inside cover of the booklet, listing the contracting states where the permit is recognised — The inside cover lists the contracting states. Brazil appears on it.

What the road rules say in Brazil

Blood alcohol limit: Zero tolerance
Emergency services: ambulance 192, fire 193

The UK Foreign Office names the 1968 convention for Brazil, which matches the United Nations depositary record above.

Common questions about driving in Brazil

How long is an International Driving Permit valid in Brazil?: Up to 3 years. Brazil joined the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic on 29 October 1980 by ratification, and that convention sets the maximum at 3 years from the date of issue, or until your national licence expires if that comes first.
What do I dial in an emergency in Brazil?: Reach ambulance on 192, fire on 193. The UK Foreign Office publishes these numbers for Brazil. Save them before you drive, since you will not want to be searching for them at the roadside.
What is the drink-drive limit in Brazil?: Brazil operates zero tolerance, so do not drink at all before driving. Penalties are typically far heavier than a fine.
Does the permit replace my driving licence in Brazil?: No. It is a translation of the licence you already hold and has no effect on its own. You must carry your original national licence with it at all times.

Driving in Brazil?

Get your International Driver's License Translation in 5 minutes. Digital delivery, valid in 195+ countries.

Start my application

Sources

Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 8 November 1968) United Nations Treaty Collection, 91 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.
Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 19 September 1949) United Nations Treaty Collection, 103 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.