Can a Brazilian Drive in Jordan? — Yes, IDP Recommended, No Side Switch

For a Brazilian driver, Jordan removes the one thing that unsettles most visitors elsewhere: you keep driving on the right, exactly as at home. That makes the country an unusually relaxed introduction to Middle Eastern self-driving, and the route from Amman down to Petra and Wadi Rum is far better by car than by coach.

The verdict: you can drive in Jordan on your Brazilian licence, and an International Driving Permit is recommended. Rental desks and police expect to see one, so carry the IDP, your Brazilian licence and your passport as a set, and arrange the IDP before you fly. Foreign licences are accepted for tourist stays.

Because both countries drive on the right, there is no side-switch to unlearn — no reversed roundabouts, no looking the wrong way at junctions. What you adapt to instead is the rhythm of the traffic and the speeds. Town limits are a low 40 km/h, lower than you may expect and worth respecting in busy Amman; rural roads run to 80 and the main highways to 110 km/h. The exact fine for a small speeding offence is not well documented, so drive to the signs rather than assuming a tolerance.

The one figure that may catch a Brazilian off guard works the other way round. At home the Lei Seca makes the practical limit zero; Jordan’s legal limit is 0.08, far more permissive on paper. Ignore the gap — alcohol is not part of everyday driving culture here, and the only safe amount before driving is none.

Practical notes: fuel is inexpensive at about $1.32 a litre, the emergency number is 112, and Amman’s traffic is the hardest part of any trip, so picking the car up away from the centre helps. Coverage is reliable on main routes but thin off them, so save offline maps before you go.

The full rundown is on our Jordan driving guide; confirm your documents with the Driving Permit Checker, and the driving-fines-abroad guide explains how a penalty can follow you home.