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Driving in PortugalDriving in Portugal - Laws, Hints and Tips
While much of the main road network is modern and has good signs, many of the towns can be confusing for first time visitors, and some roads will have two different names. Smaller side roads, and older roads can be in poor condition with potholes and crumbling verges. There is a wide mix of vehicles on the roads in Portugal, from modern cars (generally) exceeding the posted speed limits to horse (or donkey!) drawn carts and scooters that appear to be several vehicles bolted together. The variety of traffic, combined with low visibility on winding roads means you may come up behind another vehicle very suddenly.  Basic Requirements
Legal Requirements
Driving Tips
Basic Legal RequirementsDriving Licence
You must be the holder of a full driving licence (not a provisional), and have passed your test. The Portuguese law states you must be at least 17 years, but some young drivers have reported problems with the authorities for those under 18 The International Driving Permit is not required, but if you would like one you can apply through the Post Office. The international driving permit is in addition to your driving licence, so you will need to carry both copies. While a photocopy may be useful if your licence is lost, you should carry the original with you. It is recommended that you also carry your passport for proof of identification - you must have at least one photographic ID. Car DocumentsYou should carry your vehicles Registration Certificate (V5C) with you, which should be updated to show your correct details. For security reasons, it's best NOT to leave the Registration Certificate in the vehicle while it is parked - it makes it harder to a thief to resell the vehicle if they do not have the documentation. While a photocopy may be useful if your Registration Certificate is lost, you should carry the original with you. InsuranceIt is compulsory to have at least third- party insurance for Portugal, as for the UK. Most UK insurance policies will allow an element of European driving, often for a limited period. Before leaving the UK, it is a good idea to contact your insurer, and check what your existing cover allows. You can also request a 'Green Card' which is an internationally recognised form of proof of insurance. You should carry proof of insurance with you while driving. If your existing insurance does not provide European cover for the period required, most insurance brokers will have a suitable policy covering Portugal. Your Vehicle
Standard halogen headlights and Autobulbs Xenon HID Conversion kits can be modified by the use of a stick on Headlight Beam Adaptor. Vehicles with factory fitted Xenon HID headlights may find there is an adjuster either on the headlights themselves or on the dashboard - check your manual for details. If there is no adjuster, you may need to visit a dealer for them to make the adjustments, and again to change them back after your visit. Reflective Jackets or vests are compulsory for locals, and strongly recommended for visitors, and must be worn when getting out of a vehicle stuck on a motorway, dual carriageway or other busy road.
If you are planning on driving in mountain areas in winter, you must carry snow chains and fit them when conditions demand it. Spiked tyres are not allowed. Vehicles must NOT be carried on the back of cars - use a roof rack cycle system instead. Children under the age of 12 must not travel in the front seats, and should use use child seats, booster seats or seatbelt adaptations suitable for their size in the rear seats. All passengers must use seat belts if fitted.
There is no legal requirement to carry a first aid kit or a fire extinguisher in the vehicle, but it is recommended but they are generally a useful safety item to carry if you have the space. spare bulb kit suitable for your vehicle, and the tools to change the bulbs if required. While HID bulbs last longer than their halogen counterparts, it makes sense to carry at least one spare Xenon HID bulb suitable for your headlights. Feel free to add comments or your experiences of driving in Italy below... Customer CommentsPlease leave any comments using the form below. Note that URLs (web page addresses) are blocked to reduce spam! |
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Portugal is the smaller neighbour to Spain, and
shares a similar history and culture, although Portuguese is a distinct language.
Portugal, like other Mediterranean countries, can get very hot in
summer, so ensure you have sufficient coolant, and that your radiator
fan is fully working, especially if towing.
When driving in Portugal, you will need to ensure you bring both parts of your
driving licence - the Photocard plus the Paper Counterpart
(D740). If you do not have a Photocard yet, only the paper copy is
required, but you will need Photo ID, such as a Passport
Your headlights will need to be adjusted to ensure that they do not dazzle oncoming users.
You should also carry a
reflective 
You may have a number
plate that already has a valid 'GB' mark. If you do not, you will
need to apply a GB sticker to the back of your vehicle.
Dipped headlights are
required on motorcycles all the time, and on other vehicles when
there is low visibility, such as when it is raining. They are also
required when driving through tunnels - you will see reminder
signs before and after the tunnels. You must not use main beam in
built up areas.
Spares
and parts for some vehicles may be hard to locate in Portugal,
especially for imported or more unusual cars. It is worth checking
the basic wear items like tyres, brakes and 
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