Uk Driving Licence OK to use in Brazil??

[Jaythro]

HI follks I have used the search facility and there's LOADS of responses

I am looking a quick and easy Yes or No

My friend intends to travel to Brazil in 2 weeks and someone has said to him that he needs to have an international drivers licence???

Does the UK / N Ireland driving licence not cover this country??

Does he need to get an international drivers licence?

[*Touring Ted*]

Legally yes, you need an international licence.

The chances of ever being stopped and asked for it are very very low and the chances the cops have probably never heard of it are probably even lower.

However, it only costs about £7 and you can get it from a MAIN post office in about 10 minutes. It's a piece of mind.

Just take two passport photos and both parts of your licence down and they do it for you there and then.

Hardly a big deal.... I'd get it.

[Tony P]

Originally Posted by Jaythro

HI follks I have used the search facility and there's LOADS of responses

I am looking a quick and easy Yes or No

My friend intends to travel to Brazil in 2 weeks and someone has said to him that he needs to have an international drivers licence???

Does the UK / N Ireland driving licence not cover this country??

Does he need to get an international drivers licence?

They probably mean an 'International Driving Permit'
Spot the difference?

Obtainable at most main Post Offices in UK and at AA and RAC offices. You need about a fiver and a photo.

[Jaythro]

Thanks folks I have spotted the answers and I will insert the links and info thru here too so that People have a direct line to information

[Phil Flanagan]

the IDP is fine however it only has a 12 month shelf life.
if (like me) you are away longer then technically it is invalid.

however, with that said after 5 years travel and over 60 countries not a single border, police check, etc has ever asked for an international licence.

it is rare that you get asked for licence and if i do then i just offer the plastic credit card sized one (photocopied duplicate of course, never hand over originals).

generally all we are ever asked for is passport and temporay import certificate.

this includes brazil where we were for a number of months last year driving around.

phil

www.philflanagan.com

[garrydymond]

I lived in Brazil for 4 years in the late 90s. In Sao Paulo police were pretty well informed of what was needed. We had to get and International License and then get it stamped at the local Detran Office (something like the DLV??) We got our Licenses in Mexico and Brazil was about the only country not on it!! Make sure Brazil is on the coutries included or you will need to go through the same steps if you want to be legal. They wouldn't rent cars to foreigners with the permit and stamps.
I got stopped a few times and was always asked to show the papers. This may have changed and may be different in other states in Brazil

[mario agius]

What you are suppose to have is a transation of you're uk license which is done at a notary office here in Brazil must be another way to get done in another country ,not an international one like most countries ,have been here three years got the transaction done but never used it never asked have been stopped many times no problem i always show my uk licence and local id ,not saying it will always work ,it would probably be best to get the translation as Brazil has too many corrupt and under paid police that would use any excuse for a bride and its a big country so things might be different in other parts ,maybe check the brazil tourist office for more up to date info.