Brazil vehicle lighting regulations and legislation

Brazilian traffic regulations regarding vehicle lighting involve both existing mandates and proposed legislative changes.

Under current Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB) rules, headlight usage is determined by road type and weather. Drivers must use low beams in tunnels or during rain, fog, or mist. On single-lane highways outside urban areas, vehicles without Daytime Running Lights (DRL) must use low beams during the day, whereas dual-lane highways and urban areas do not mandate daytime low beam use. These rules follow Law No. 14.071/2020, which restricted previous requirements that mandated low beams on all highways during the day.

Concurrently, the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies is considering legislation, such as PL 1108/2025 and PL 2618/2026, to allow drivers to replace original vehicle headlights with LED technology. Currently, National Traffic Council (Contran) resolution 667/17 prohibits such replacements in vehicles not originally equipped with them. The proposed amendments would permit LED installation provided components are certified and meet specific intensity and focus limits to prevent blinding others. If passed, Contran would have 180 days to establish final guidelines.