Police organisation
Polícia Rodoviária Federal
A Union body dedicated to ostensive patrol of the federal highways, under Article 144 paragraph 2 of the Brazilian Constitution.
At a glance
- Official name
- Polícia Rodoviária Federal (PRF)
- System
- Brazil
- Level of government
- Federal
- Kind of body
- Specialist national service
- Status
- Currently operating
- Official website
- https://www.gov.br/prf/pt-br — confirmed against the organisation’s own pages on 25 July 2026.
- Facts last checked against sources
- 13 September 2026
What it is
The PRF is constitutionally dedicated to "o patrulhamento ostensivo das rodovias federais" and also enforces the Brazilian traffic code. It illustrates a pattern this registry records in several countries: a national force whose jurisdiction is an estate — here a road network — rather than a territory.
What it covers
The federal highways of Brazil.
Broad responsibilities
- Ostensive patrol of the federal highways
- Enforcement of the Código de Trânsito Brasileiro
Elsewhere on this site
- Who polices what — how Brazil is structured, against other systems
Other organisations to compare
- Polícia Federal — Brazil
- British Transport Police — United Kingdom
Where this connects
Institutions: National police.
Sources
Competências da Polícia Rodoviária Federal
Polícia Rodoviária Federal — gov.br · Institutional (self-description) · link verified 2026-07-25
The Polícia Rodoviária Federal's own page, read in full. Supports that the PRF is a Union body dedicated to 'o patrulhamento ostensivo das rodovias federais' (Art. 144 §2), also enforcing the Código de Trânsito Brasileiro (Lei 9.503/97). Establishes the PRF's role; does not cover the state forces.