Brazil - Brits can't drive there any more

**nick_horley** · #1 22 Mar 2004

Just received this from the RAC: "RAC has been advised that British issued driving licences and IDPs are no longer valid for use in Brazil. British nationals undertaking a short visit should rely on taxis and other forms of transport, as it is impractical to obtain a licence on arrival. British nationals who are longer term visitors must obtain a Brazilian driving licence."

Is this a new development? What's going on?

**Grant Johnson** · #2 22 Mar 2004

We've heard this before, several times last year, though never "officially". We have had reports of Brits going through and specifically worrying/aware of this - and having no trouble. The border guards aren't aware of it apparently, so until we hear more - i.e. someone gets refused entry - don't worry about it.

Check out the newsletters from last year, or search on "Sanders" - they specificaly inquired, and we included their question and some responses over a couple of issues.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**RACPG** · #3 24 Mar 2004

Nick,

I can confirm that both AA GB & RAC are issuing similar advice on non-acceptance of GB issued licences & IDP's in Brazil at present.

The problem is that Brazil is a signatory to the 1968 Road Traffic Convention (UK is not!) & therefore only recognises licences/IDP's issued by other "1968 countries".

The British Embassy in Brasilia has been in regular contact with AA. I recently understand that the Brasilian Embassy in London is making representation back to the govt. because of the impact on travel & tourism for British nationals. We are hoping for some positive information/feedback next month & will update via this HU forum as/when received.

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Paul Gowen
Travel Research
RAC Bristol

**richardb** · #4 27 Mar 2004

Does this mean it is effectively illegal for me to drive in Brazil? Ive just arrived and planning a long stay and touring. There was no advice about this at the border with Uruguay at Chuy/Chui

worried.

richard

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Richb
http://www.postmaster.co.uk/~richardbeaumont/60684/

**DiasDePlaya** · #5 31 Mar 2004

Is logic, British people drive in the wrong way!!!

(Bad old joke)

I don't undestand what is doing the brazilian goverment, they are trying to reduce the tourism in the most touristic country in this part of the world, first the problem with the Americans and now the British...

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Ya verás como quieren en Chile al amigo cuando es forastero (traditional song)

Jose Pedro Espinosa
Curico, Chile

**Grant Johnson** · #6 1 Apr 2004

Richard, don't worry about it - as noted, that's been the case for some time. BUT no reports of ANY problems yet. I suspect that the average policeman has no clue about this regulation.

A "small fee" should solve the problem IF it should arise. Do make a point of not pissing off any police.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Fernando&Carmen** · #7 1 Apr 2004

Yes... I agree with Grant.

The average policemans here are not smart enough to diferenciate a British than an Indu...

Off course I don't think thats a good thing... but for you, sometime it's usefull...

I'll try to get some information about this question...

By the way:
If someone here need a help in Brazil, maybe the Clube XT600 could help: clube@xt600.com.br

ou direct on our forum (We have an International Section):
http://www.forumxt600.com.br/forum

Best regards

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Fernando&Carmen
Webmasters
http://www.xt600.com.br

[This message has been edited by Fernando&Carmen (edited 01 April 2004).]

**chris** · #8 1 Apr 2004

would have to agree with the above. the brazilian coppers are as thick as sh*t (IMHO), less friendly than their castillano speaking counterparts in the rest of south america, but still... brazilian people are superb in many many ways, just the uniformed types are less gifted than most.

i had one at a road block north of salvador de bahia telling me the colour of the license plate was wrong. the sad person thought it was a bahian plate. these had changed from yellow/black to another colour a few years previously... (uk plate are yellow/black...)

he had difficulty comprehending i was neither bahian, brazilian nor south american. he seemed to be unaware of places called england, the uk or europe. possibly it was my poor portugese, or his lack of brain power.

in 12 months in south america i had my driving license checked about twice. once when being fined for speeding (in peru... it's cheaper if you don't require a receipt

) and once for parking on the pavement (("sidewalk" in american) in chile. both times they studiously examined a colour photocopy that they couldn't distinuish from the real thing (that was still in my pocket... )

enjoy this beautiful country and continent. don't worry about what the RAC or AA or whoever say. most of their data is a combination of out of date and wrong...
cheers
ChrisB

**XTman** · #9 1 Apr 2004

Quoting Grant: "I suspect that the average policeman has no clue about this regulation."

Hi, guys!
Not only the policemen here have no clue whatsoever about the situation, the Rio de Janeiro Transit Department knows nothing about such a restriction. I called then and was told to ask the National Transit Authority about this...

CUL.
XTman

==
'01 XT600E
RJ/Brazil

[This message has been edited by XTman (edited 01 April 2004).]

**richardb** · #10 1 Apr 2004

I called the British consul in Porto Alegre and he was aware of the issue but did not have any useful advice as the information he had was conflicting.

I´ve decided no to worry and fortunately I have a Brazilian friend who is a lawyer - if things do go badly wrong.

Richard

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Richb
http://www.postmaster.co.uk/~richardbeaumont/60684/

**Dream Catcher** · #11 12 Apr 2004

I have written cofirmation from AA that Brazil does not recognise UK licences, so it is "official".

But as you all recognise, what is "official" and what you can get away with are two different things. When I talked to the Brazil Embassy in London, they said it was only UK and Canada that were affected. Now how many police on the road will know that amount of detail . . . .

If you've got the time and the blarney, I'd wing it . . .