Slovenia on a Brazilian Licence — IDP, the Vignette & a Looser Limit

Slovenia is a gentle first taste of European driving for Brazilians: right-hand traffic as at home, good motorways and short distances between the Alps and the coast. Three things need sorting before you set off: the licence document, the motorway vignette and a different approach to alcohol.

The licence

Carry your CNH and passport, and take an International Driving Permit (PID) issued in Brazil. Slovenia’s Drivers Act lets visitors drive on a foreign licence that follows the international convention model, and Brazil and Slovenia are both parties to the 1968 Vienna convention. A PID is still the easy way to avoid a debate about the format of your card at the hire desk or at a roadside check. The driving permit checker covers the neighbouring countries.

The e-vignette

Slovenia’s motorways have no toll booths for cars. Instead, the e-vignette is registered to your number plate and checked by camera. For a car it costs EUR 16 for seven days, EUR 32 for a month or EUR 117.50 for a year. Buy it online from DARS, at a petrol station or at a post office before you reach the motorway, because a car without a valid vignette may not use a toll road. Hire cars sometimes include it, so ask at the desk. The Slovenia vignette guide explains the options.

Alcohol works the other way round

Brazil’s Lei Seca allows no alcohol. Slovenia allows 0.05% for experienced drivers, but drivers under 21 or with a licence held for less than two years must have none. Breaking the limit can bring a fine and prison. The simplest approach is to keep the Brazilian rule while you are there.

On the road

Limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 on rural roads and 130 on motorways. Headlights stay on day and night. The car must carry a warning triangle, a reflective jacket and a first-aid kit. From 15 November to 15 March a car needs winter tyres on all four wheels, or summer tyres on all four with chains carried, and in both cases tread of at least 3 mm. Police can issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, drink-driving and handheld phone use. Call 113 for the police or 112 for an ambulance, fire or mountain rescue. The Slovenia driving guide has the rest.

Sources

• Slovenian Drivers Act (Zakon o voznikih), foreign licences, via the national legislation portal: pisrs.si
• UN Treaty Collection, parties to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic: treaties.un.org
• DARS e-vignette prices for class 2A (EUR 16 weekly, EUR 32 monthly, EUR 117.50 annual): evinjeta.dars.si
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Slovenia (0.05% and zero for under-21s or under two years; headlights; required kit; winter tyres 15 November to 15 March, 3 mm; on-the-spot fines): gov.uk
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Slovenia, emergency numbers (police 113; ambulance, fire, mountain rescue 112): gov.uk
• Brazilian Traffic Code (Lei 9.503/1997), zero alcohol: planalto.gov.br
• WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Slovenia profile (50/90/130 km/h; 0.05 g/dl): who.int