Mandatory signsBrazil

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Brazil. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Mandatory signs

A mandatory sign is a traffic sign that tells drivers what they must do. Instead of prohibiting actions, these signs impose obligations such as following a specific direction, using a particular lane, or keeping a minimum speed. Their purpose is to guide traffic safely and efficiently by ensuring that all road users follow the same required behaviour in places where it is necessary for order and safety.

Driving straight ahead or turning left mandatory.

Driving straight ahead or turning right mandatory.

Mandatory divided pedestrian and cycle path.

How are compulsory instructions shown in Brazil?

Regulatory signage also prescribes obligations; it is not confined to prohibitions.

🔗 gov.br • CONTRAN national sign manual Volume I — relevant regulatory signs, scope and supplementary conditions; later amendments separately checked

🔗 gov.br • CONTRAN Resolution 973/2022 — national signalling framework and manual volumes

🔗 planalto.gov.br • Brazilian Traffic Code — Articles 80, 87–89, signs and precedence

What does a mandatory-direction sign require in Brazil?

Where a compulsory-direction sign is installed in Brazil, follow only the arrow direction or permitted combination of directions. The restriction applies at the location or movement it regulates; it is not an instruction to ignore other traffic controls.

🔗 gov.br • CONTRAN national sign manual Volume I — relevant regulatory signs, scope and supplementary conditions; later amendments separately checked

🔗 gov.br • CONTRAN Resolution 973/2022 — national signalling framework and manual volumes

🔗 planalto.gov.br • Brazilian Traffic Code — Articles 80, 87–89, signs and precedence

Does a mandatory-direction sign give me priority over pedestrians in Brazil?

No. It tells you which way to move, not who goes first. Check traffic lights, other priority signs, pedestrians and cyclists, and give way when required before completing the manoeuvre.

🔗 gov.br • CONTRAN national sign manual Volume I — relevant regulatory signs, scope and supplementary conditions; later amendments separately checked

🔗 gov.br • CONTRAN Resolution 973/2022 — national signalling framework and manual volumes

🔗 planalto.gov.br • Brazilian Traffic Code — Articles 80, 87–89, signs and precedence

1. Mandatory roundabout direction

This traffic sign indicates the mandatory direction around a roundabout. Traffic must circulate in the direction shown by the arrows. The sign does not itself determine priority; follow the applicable priority signs, traffic signals and local rules.

English • Traffic sign R-33 • Roundabout direction. Traffic must circulate anticlockwise as shown by the arrows.

Português • R-33 • Sentido de circulação na rotatória. Determina que a circulação na rotatória deve ocorrer no sentido anti-horário indicado pelas setas.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 58

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

2. Turning left mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that turning left is mandatory at the junction ahead. Traffic must turn left and may not continue straight ahead or turn right.

English • Traffic sign R-25a • Turn left. Turning left at the signed location is compulsory.

Português • R-25a • Vire à esquerda. Determina a conversão à esquerda no local sinalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 73

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

3. Turning right mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that turning right is mandatory at the junction ahead. Traffic must turn right and may not continue straight ahead or turn left.

English • Traffic sign R-25b • Turn right. Turning right at the signed location is compulsory.

Português • R-25b • Vire à direita. Determina a conversão à direita no local sinalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 75

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

4. Pass obstacle on the right

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must pass an obstacle on the right. Keep to the right of the obstacle and follow any accompanying signs or road markings.

English • Traffic sign R-24b • Compulsory passage. Pass on the arrow's side, here to the right of the obstacle or central reservation.

Português • R-24b • Passagem obrigatória. Determina a passagem pelo lado indicado pela seta, neste caso à direita do obstáculo ou canteiro.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 71

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

5. Driving straight ahead or turning left mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must continue straight ahead or turn left. One of the indicated directions must be followed; turning right is prohibited.

English • Traffic sign R-25c • Straight ahead or left. These movements are permitted at the signed location; other movements are prohibited.

Português • R-25c • Siga em frente ou à esquerda. Permite seguir em frente ou virar à esquerda no local sinalizado; os demais movimentos não são permitidos.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 77

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

6. Driving straight ahead or turning right mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that traffic must continue straight ahead or turn right. One of the indicated directions must be followed; turning left is prohibited.

English • Traffic sign R-25d • Straight ahead or right. These movements are permitted at the signed location; other movements are prohibited.

Português • R-25d • Siga em frente ou à direita. Permite seguir em frente ou virar à direita no local sinalizado; os demais movimentos não são permitidos.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 80

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

7. Mandatory right

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory direction to the right. Traffic must proceed to the right at the sign and may not continue straight ahead or to the left.

English • Traffic sign R-24a • One-way direction. The road or carriageway is one-way in the arrow's direction, here to the right.

Português • R-24a • Sentido de circulação da via ou pista. Indica o sentido único de circulação da via ou pista, na direção da seta, neste caso à direita.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 51

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

8. Driving straight ahead mandatory

This traffic sign indicates that driving straight ahead is mandatory. Traffic must continue straight ahead and may not turn left or right at the location to which the sign applies.

English • Traffic sign R-26 • Straight ahead. Continue straight ahead at the signed location.

Português • R-26 • Siga em frente. Determina que o veículo siga em frente no local sinalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 83

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

9. Road with two-way traffic

This traffic sign indicates the start of two-way traffic. From this point, traffic may travel in both directions on the road. Be prepared for oncoming vehicles.

English • Traffic sign R-28 • Two-way traffic. The road or carriageway begins carrying traffic in both directions.

Português • R-28 • Duplo sentido de circulação. Indica que a via ou pista passa a ter circulação nos dois sentidos.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 56

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

10. Mandatory path for cyclists

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory path for cyclists. Cyclists must use the designated path where the sign applies. Other road users may use the path only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.

English • Traffic sign R-34 • Bicycles only. Reserves the area, road, carriageway or lane for bicycles.

Português • R-34 • Circulação exclusiva de bicicletas. Reserva a área, via, pista ou faixa à circulação de bicicletas.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 109

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-05-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.

11. Mandatory lane for trucks

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory lane for trucks. Trucks must use the designated lane where the sign applies. Other road users may use the lane only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.

English • Traffic sign R-39 • Lorries only. Reserves the area, road, carriageway or lane for lorries.

Português • R-39 • Circulação exclusiva de caminhão. Reserva a área, via, pista ou faixa à circulação de caminhões.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 115

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

12. Mandatory lane for buses

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory lane for buses. Buses must use the designated lane where the sign applies. Other road users may use the lane only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.

English • Traffic sign R-32 • Public passenger transport only. Observe supplementary hours, services and authorised exceptions.

Português • R-32 • Circulação exclusiva de veículos de transporte público coletivo. Indica circulação exclusiva de veículos de transporte público coletivo. Respeite eventuais informações complementares de horário, serviço e exceções autorizadas.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 107
🔗 Gov.br • Resolução CONTRAN nº986/2022, significado atualizado de R-32

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.

13. Mandatory divided pedestrian and cycle path

This traffic sign indicates a mandatory divided path for pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrians and cyclists must use the section designated for them. Other road users may use the path only where the applicable signs or local rules permit them to do so.

English • Traffic sign R-36a • Cyclists on the left, pedestrians on the right. These groups must use the indicated sides of the signed area, road, carriageway or pavement.

Português • R-36a • Ciclistas à esquerda, pedestres à direita. Determina que os ciclistas circulem pelo lado esquerdo e os pedestres pelo lado direito da área, via, pista ou passeio sinalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 149

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-05-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.

14. Parking permitted

This traffic sign indicates that parking is permitted. Vehicles may park in the area covered by the sign, subject to any conditions shown on supplementary signs or road markings.

English • Traffic sign R-6b • Regulated parking. Parking is permitted under the specified conditions. Observe supplementary hours, duration and authorised categories.

Português • R-6b • Estacionamento regulamentado. Indica um local onde o estacionamento é permitido nas condições estabelecidas. Respeite as informações complementares, como horários, duração ou categorias autorizadas.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 137

SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.