When you travel abroad for a short vacation, you can use your driver’s license and passport to rent and drive a car. In some countries, they will ask you for an official translation of your licence or and international driving license, but these are easy to get.
If you decide to settle down in another country, you will need to obtain a local driving license. In some countries, there are international agreements which enable you to exchange you licence for a local one. However, not all countries accept that and if they do, the downside is you have to hand over your license as long as you use the local one…
In most country, the best solution is to start from scratch and follow the local protocol to get the driving license. And the cultural experience itself is worth it ! Every country has different protocols and rules…
- 1. Paperwork
In Brazil, you need to start with … paperwork ! First of all, you need to provide proof of graduating high school or higher. A translated transcript of your diploma will do. When your paperwork is approved, you move on to step 2:
- 2. Medical exam
Before your official appointment for the license, make sure to drop by the medical center strategically located in the stores next to the official building. You will need to pass a medical examination, including a vision test and an extended health questionnaire.
- 3. Get an appointment at the office in charge of driving licenses.
This ‘appointment’ is actually another test, and this time, you’ll need to take psycho-technical tests. These are actually pretty fun. It starts with a series of logic quizzes (you are given 3 pictures, you need to pick which will come next, in a logical sequence). Another test consists in drawing as many vertical ligns as you can in a limited time, all ligns need to be of equal size, parallel to one another. These tests are supposedly more difficult for people with lower level of education. All together, it takes you half a day to finish up the process.
What we did not need to take is a test on trafic laws, or a real life driving test… So basically, nothing related to driving !
After that, we quickly received our brand new brazilian driver’s licences…
Drive safely !