Drive Safe and Lose the Points

Before you start driving in Brazil, familiarize yourself with the rules of the road. And perhaps more importantly, get to know Brazil’s point system for driving infractions. After all, it’s not very different from what we’re used to in the US.

Every driver in Brazil begins with a clean record of 0 points. When you commit a traffic violation, you’re assigned points based on the severity of the offense. Infractions are categorized into four levels: light (3 points), medium (4 points), serious (5 points) and very serious (7 points).

Generally, if you accumulate 40 points within a 12-month period, your driver’s license will be suspended. However, some infractions can lead to an immediate suspension of your license, regardless of how many points you have. Examples include driving under the influence, excessive speeding and street racing.

The good news is that you can redeem yourself. Since the points of each infraction expire after 12 months, it’s possible to be back in the clear as long as your driver’s license isn’t suspended. In addition, if a driver with a clean history for 12 months commits a light or medium infraction, they’ll get a written warning instead.

In a rush to get your points back sooner because you’re a professional driver? You might consider attending a traffic school or taking a defensive driving class. Again, it’s similar to what you might find in some states here in the US.

Ultimately, if you drive responsibly, you’ll avoid the point system altogether. That is, as long as you steer clear of those hidden speed traps along the way. Drive safely!