Renting a Car in Brazil: Portuguese for Pickup and Fuel
Use clear phrases at the rental counter and fuel station, and confirm important details with the staff.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
At the rental counter, confirm the reservation name, pickup time, and where the car is parked. Aluguel means rental, reserva means reservation, and carteira de motorista is driver’s license.
Confirm the rental pickup details
Ask the rental company to explain the contract, insurance, and return instructions in a language you understand before signing. The phrases here help you ask questions; they do not replace the company’s terms or local driving requirements.
Tenho uma reserva no nome de Lee.
I have a reservation under the name Lee.
Onde retiro o carro?
Where do I pick up the car?
Pode explicar esta cobrança?
Could you explain this charge?
Ask which fuel the car uses
Before fueling, check the rental documents or ask the rental company which fuel the specific vehicle requires. Gasolina means gasoline, and etanol is ethanol; do not guess based only on the car’s model or appearance.
A staff member can confirm the right fuel and explain the pump. Ask them to repeat the information if you are uncertain.
Qual combustível este carro usa?
Which fuel does this car use?
Pode confirmar no manual, por favor?
Could you confirm in the manual, please?
Pode abastecer este carro para mim?
Could you fill this car for me?
Get help with a route or return
If you need directions, name the destination and ask which road to take. At the return location, confirm where to park, what time the vehicle is due, and whether staff need to inspect it.
For city rides and local transit, see our taxi and bus-and-metro phrase guides. This guide focuses on questions connected to a rental car.
Qual estrada devo pegar para chegar ao centro?
Which road should I take to get downtown?
Onde devo devolver o carro?
Where should I return the car?
A que horas o carro precisa ser devolvido?
What time does the car need to be returned?
Put it into practice
At pickup, confirm the rental details and required fuel with the provider. Before returning the car, confirm the time and exact return location.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I have a reservation under the name Lee”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.