You’ll see some interesting vehicles on the road 1 – Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 1 above, drivers must give way to military or militarized columns, as well as police escorts. This number is the same across continental Europe, and operators will be able to answer in English. This means you can explore areas such as the coastline in the Algarve, then drive through the capital city Lisbon, and finally head up to the wine region of Porto, all at the time and day of your choosing. Our content is DMCA propected, and it can't be reproduced on other websites without our authorisation. Before driving in Portugal, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road. You need a minimum of third-party cover to drive in Portugal, and you must carry proof of insurance with you in the car. 2 – At intersections and junctions drivers must give way to vehicles that run on rails. Don’t stress, we have got all the information you need right here. Traffic signs. National speed limits are - 50km/h in residential ares, 90km/h on rural roads and 120km/h on Motorways. Expat The one downside of this method is that you will be charged for the entire length of the road you travelled on because you won’t have evidence of when you entered the toll road. Using a hands-free device is permitted. The cost of fuel in Portugal tends to fluctuate around €1.40 per litre for diesel, and €1.60 per litre for unleaded petrol. Children under 12 years old aren't allowed to sit in the front passenger seat of the car. Here are some of the key rules you’ll need to know before driving in Portugal. Check out: Your Ultimate Guide to Driving in Portugal. Did we answer all of your queries? 9 Awesome Music Festivals in Portugal for Summer 2020, Portugal in July: Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun, The Best Central Portugal Beaches: Your Guide to the Silver Coast, The 10 Best Beaches in the Algarve: Your 2020 Guide, Revolut Business Account, The Complete Guide. ; By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. For emergency services, dial 112. The amount of tax paid is different for vehicles registered before and after July 2007. This is quite rare though. It’s illegal to use a mobile phone unless you have a hands-free system. The signs can sometimes be red or yellow or there can sometimes be red or yellow lines painted on the kerb. Cars already on the roundabout have the right of way, so wait your turn before you set off. Car sharing apps like Uber, Taxify, and Cabify also exist in Portugal and are often cheaper than local taxis and available all day, every day. Absolutely, Yes. If you don’t have a V-Tag, most motorways have toll booths where you can pay the fee with cash or card. Car towing trailers should not drive above 80km/H. Around 2.5 million British nationals visited Portugal in 2019. Main roads are sealed and generally in good condition. If you are travelling to Portugal there are a few rules you should be aware of if you’re going to drive around. They give directions on how we should behave on the road, so that the traffic can proceed safely and smoothly. Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat. Most visits are trouble-free. While driving in Portugal you must yield to disembarking tram passengers. Overall, Portuguese road signs are clear and easy to understand. Wearing headphones while driving is also illegal. If you see a circular blue sign displaying a number this is the minimum speed you must drive on that particular road. Portugal is a fairly safe country to drive in considering that there are far less drivers on the road than countries like the US, Australia or Germany. LazyTrips is a trading name of Strategy Desk Ltd. This is the best navigation app for any road trip, Germany driving tips: Rules of the road, parking and the all-important etiquette. Driving in another country can be a daunting experience, especially if you aren’t sure of the local road rules, where you can park or which side of the road to drive on. On-the-spot fines are common in Portugal, and expect to have to shell out in cash. Portugal in February: The Best Guide for Your February Vacation, How to Get Portuguese Residency for Non-EU Citizens. 2. Stop and give way to all drivers. When being overtaken, motorists should keep as far right as possible and not accelerate. Road Rules and Petrol Station. Tourist, I consent the usage of my data for: The Portuguese tend to make up their own rules (or lack thereof) when it comes to parking, so unless otherwise signposted, expect to find most of the regulations and restrictions in the big cities. General road rules in Portugal Driving is on the right side of the road while the steering wheel is on the left side of the vehicle; Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers; You can’t do anything about this other than keep an eye out. Watch out for aggressive drivers while driving through Portugal. The only difficulty might be in the city centres where the streets are very narrow and the roads are made of cobblestone. Driving is on the right side of the road while the steering wheel is on the left side of the vehicle; Seatbelts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers; Speed limits are indicated on circular signs with a red border and are in kilometres per hour: Usually 50km in residential areas, 90km on rural roads and 120km on motorways; Mandatory signs are blue and circular, while informational signs are usually rectangular; It is illegal to drive with headphones on; You can only use a phone while driving if it is with a hand-free system; You are not allowed to use green lanes on motorway toll areas unless you have an electronic toll collection device; It is illegal to carry petrol or gas in your car; It is mandatory to always have the vehicle registration documents inside the vehicle as well as a valid form of ID and valid driving licence; You must have third-party insurance and the documents to prove it; In the car, you must also carry: a reflective danger jacket, a reflective warning triangle, spare light bulbs, a spare wheel, and approved child seats if carrying children under 12 years old or shorter than 135 cm (4 ft 4 inches). If you decide against hiring a car or maybe you don’t have an international driving licence, then fear not, Portugal is an easy country to get around. Email newsletters and marketing efforts. Find out about Portuguese road tax, how it's calculated and how to pay... Road tax (Imposto Único de Circulação, IUC) must be paid annually on the date that the vehicle was first registered. You must be 18 or over to drive and hire a car in Portugal. However, if you’ve made the move to Portugal and want to register for a Portuguese driving licence, you will need to provide the following documents to the Institute for Mobility and Transport “Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes” (IMT) office: If you hold an EU driving license, you will still have to renew it to a Portuguese one within two years of changing your official residency. Not sure of the rules of the road? Feel free to leave us a comment below. 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