No, applying makeup while driving is illegal in Brazil under the Código de Trânsito Brasileiro (CTB), as it constitutes distracted driving. The National Traffic Council (Conselho Nacional de Trânsito - CONTRAN) classifies manual or visual distractions behind the wheel as hazardous, with fines up to R$ 293.47 and 5 demerer points. Courts have upheld convictions for such infractions, citing Article 252 of the CTB, which prohibits activities diverting attention from driving. Recent 2026 amendments to CONTRAN Resolution 940/2022 further clarify that even brief cosmetic adjustments qualify as reckless behavior.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in Brazil
- Article 252 of the CTB (Law 9.503/1997): Explicitly bans “any activity that distracts the driver’s attention,” including applying cosmetics, with penalties of 4 points on the driver’s license and a fine.
- CONTRAN Resolution 940/2022 (amended 2026): Specifies that visual or manual distractions—such as mirror use for makeup—are grounds for immediate traffic violation classification, regardless of duration.
- State-Level Enforcement: São Paulo’s Detran-SP and Rio de Janeiro’s Detran-RJ actively issue fines for distracted driving, with courts frequently rejecting defenses that makeup application is “harmless.”
Violations are recorded in the Sistema Nacional de Infrações de Trânsito (SINIAV), impacting insurance premiums. Exceptions apply only to emergency services personnel in official vehicles.