To rent a vehicle in Brazil, the main requirements are: being at least 21 years old, holding a permanent physical driver’s license issued at least 2 years ago, and presenting a physical credit card in the renter’s name with enough available limit for the security deposit. Foreign travelers must present a passport and, in some cases, an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Requirements for foreigners renting a car in Brazil
Foreign citizens wishing to drive in the country must meet the following requirements:
Minimum age of 21 years old (the same “young driver” fees apply to drivers under 25 years old at certain rental companies).
Passport: original physical document, with the same nationality as the driver’s license (if the passport is American, the driver’s license must also be issued in the United States). This is the only international identity document considered valid by rental companies for profile verification and confirmation of the renter's identity.
Proof of entry into the country: Mandatory presentation of an airline, maritime, or bus ticket, or an immigration stamp issued by the Federal Police proving the date of legal entry into Brazil (required by rental companies such as Localiza and Unidas).
Driver’s license: valid, physical, and issued more than 2 years ago.
In Brazil, newly licensed drivers receive the Permissão para Dirigir (PPD), a provisional driving license valid for 12 months. This document is generally not accepted by most rental companies. To rent a car, it is usually required to present a full national driver’s license (CNH) issued more than two years ago.
International Driving Permit (IDP): recommended for all drivers and mandatory for citizens of countries that do not have a reciprocity agreement with Brazil or whose original driver's licenses use non-Latin alphabets (such as Cyrillic, Japanese, Arabic, etc.).
Credit card: must be physical, issued by a physical banking institution, enabled for international purchases, under the renter’s name, with printed and legible name and numbers, within the validity period, and with enough available limit for the security deposit hold.
It is also important to know that:
The approval of the credit card is entirely the responsibility of the rental company. Additionally, there are rental companies that have their own policies regarding the criteria and may request additional data.
Be aware! Although they may seem the same, a financial institution and a banking institution are not the same thing. A bank is a type of financial institution that offers checking accounts and can accept deposits. On the other hand, a financial institution is a broader term that includes credit unions, brokerage firms, lending fintechs, and other companies that are not banks.
Checklist for a smooth pickup experience
To avoid problems at the rental company counter, follow these recommendations:
Reservation voucher: keep the document printed or saved on your phone. It contains the specific rules of the rental company. You can find it in your reservation confirmation email or in My Bookings.
Late arrival tolerance: in Brazil, the standard tolerance period for delays is 59 minutes. If the delay exceeds this period, the reservation may be canceled. Pay special attention to bookings with pickups close to the store’s closing time: in these cases, the 59-minute grace period does not apply, and the store will close at the scheduled time, preventing vehicle pickup.
Flight and schedule planning: schedule your pickup for at least 2 hours after the expected landing time to account for delays during disembarkation or baggage claim.
Documentation: bring the physical versions of the required documents (driver’s license, credit card, and voucher), ready for presentation.
Vehicle inspection: at the time of pickup, accompany the agent during the inspection. Make sure any scratches or details are recorded in the report to avoid improper charges upon return. Also, record the fuel level both at pickup and at drop-off.