In order to reduce traffic, CET, São Paulo's Traffic Engineering Company, has a rotation system for cars which has been in effect for 10 years and has been extended to trucks since July 2008.

The system is organized by the last digit of the license plates and is valid for license plates from every Brazilian city. If you rent a car anywhere in Brazil, don't drive it in São Paulo from 7am-10am or 5pm-8pm on these days:

• Monday - Last digit 1 or 2
• Tuesday - Last digit 3 or 4
• Wednesday - Last digit 5 or 6
• Thursday - Last digit 7 or 8
• Friday - Last digit 9 or 0

To see the zone to which the rotation system applies, go to the CET website and click on "Rodízio Municipal" on the main menu to the left of the homepage.

Drivers with disabilities or drivers transporting passengers with disabilities can apply for a permit to drive in São Paulo at all times.

Sometimes the rotation system is suspended temporarily, for example during summer school break. If you read Portuguese, you can keep up with CET news on their Twitter (@CETSP_).