Fine for running a red light: consequences, legislation, and essential guidelines

Running a red light at a traffic signal represents one of the most frequent and risky behaviors observed in Brazilian city traffic. National legislation addresses this violation severely, aiming to reduce the incidence of side collisions and pedestrian accidents at busy intersections.

Penalties and legal classification of the infraction

According to Article 208 of the Brazilian Traffic Code, the violation is classified as Very Serious Infraction. The offender is required to pay a base fine of R$ 293.47 for the 2026 enforcement. Simultaneously, the driver has 7 points recorded on their CNH (driver’s license), a sanction that demands special attention, especially after recent changes to the allowed point limits. This accumulation becomes critical to preserve the privilege of driving.

Context of exceptions and permitted situations

Despite the mandatory requirement to stop when the light is red, legislation considers specific scenarios that allow passage or exempt responsibility in very limited cases. Drivers should be aware of these conditions to avoid unjust penalties:

• Right turn permitted where there is a specific signage indication
• Vehicles operating with emergency purposes, using sirens and warning lights
• Special regimes during nighttime periods (approximately between 10 PM and 5 AM) as determined by municipal regulations
• Staying within pedestrian crossing zones when attempting to clear the intersection

Hierarchy of infractions and financial comparison for 2026

Understanding the penalty scale provides drivers with a comprehensive understanding of the economic impact of fines. Each category has different costs and a proportional points allocation based on the risk generated:

Operation of electronic monitoring systems

Automatic monitoring equipment, often referred to as “pardais” or inductive sensors, captures photographs only at the moment the vehicle crosses the stop line after the light turns red. A short time interval occurs between the yellow light and the sensor’s activation. Several systems also record parking on crosswalks and high speed at intersections. The best preventive strategy is to stay vigilant to traffic signals and slow down when seeing the yellow light, a conduct that minimizes communications from the State Department of Transit (Detran).

Inquiry of violations and administrative regularization

Drivers should consult official portals to check if their vehicles have pending issues or active notifications. Early payment through the Electronic Notification Platform often provides a significant percentage reduction, facilitating the regularization of documents required annually. The National Traffic Department website provides detailed information on accessing the driver and vehicle history. Maintaining compliance with Contran obligations preserves the vehicle’s circulation availability without restrictions or impediments to transfer throughout the country.