Driving in Portugal

Basic Legal Requirements

Driving Licence

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

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 Documents

You 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.

Insurance

It 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

Your headlights will need to be adjusted to ensure that they do not dazzle oncoming users.

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.

You should also carry a reflective Warning Triangle in the vehicle - they are not compulsory to carry, but you must use one if you break down. In the event of an accident or breakdown, the triangle should be set up by the side of the road, at least 50 meters in the direction of of the traffic. If you have broken down in the outer lane of a dual carriageway or motorway, or attempting to place the warning triangle would place you in danger, do not use it. Remember to collect your warning triangle before leaving! Warning triangles are not required for motorbikes.

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.

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.

There is no legal requirement to carry a first aid kit or a fire extinguisher in the vehicle, but they are generally a useful safety item to carry if you have the space.

spare it is recommended (but not required) that you carry a bulb kit suitable for your vehicle, and the tools to change the bulbs if needed. 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.

Driving - Legal Requirements

Lights

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.

Speed Limits

Speed limits can be modified by local signs, but the usual ones are:

• Built- up areas: 31 mph or 50 km/h
• Rural roads: 31 mph or 50km/h
• Main Trunk roads: 62 mph or 100 km/h
• Motorways: 75 mph or 120 km/h

Minimum speed on motorways is 37 mph or 60 km/h.

Traffic Priorities

In general, traffic priorities are the similar to the UK, but reversed for driving on the right. Where two roads of equal size meet, traffic from the right has priority unless otherwise shown (normally by a 'Give Way' line on the road). Roundabouts have the same rules as the UK, with traffic on the roundabout having priority.

Many Portuguese drivers will ignore traffic priorities, so be carious if you see another vehicle waiting to join the carriageway.

Helmets

Helmets are compulsory at all times for scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. You will see a lot of people on scooters without helmets, but don't be tempted to copy them despite the heat.

Overtaking

Overtaking is only on the left (the outside lane of motorways and dual carriageways).

Portuguese drivers will overtake wherever possible, and because of the slow vehicles on the roads, this will include trucks and buses. If you are travelling at the speed limit, you may find yourself being overtaken regularly - a car approaching from behind with it's right indicator on is planning to pass you. Expect to be overtaken on bends and blind crests, and possibly to meet traffic in your lane overtaking from the other direction. It's a good idea to move as far to your right as possible to give them maximum room.

Especially in rural areas you will meet a lot of tractors, donkey carts and other slow moving vehicles, so ensure you are able to pass safely before beginning an overtake, and that the vehicle behind has not already started passing you.

Warning with Horn and Lights

At night you should not use the horn except to warn of danger. Portuguese drivers will also use their horn to let you know they are overtaking, or pulling out in front of you.

With lights, the official rule is that they should only be used to warn others of your presence. In practice lights are commonly used to indicate that the vehicle is coming through or planning to overtake. If someone flashes you at a junction, if generally indicates they are NOT going to let you through!

GPS, Speed Cameras and Phones

You must NOT use any form of radar detector, and other devices for the avoidance of speed traps are included so this probably rules out the use of GPS units with speed camera information.

It is an offence to use a hand- held mobile phone in Portugal while driving.

Alcohol

Drink driving in Portugal is the same as most of mainland Europe. Over 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood will result in a fine and short ban. Significantly more will result in much larger fines and longer loss of your licence. Note that this is slightly lower than the 80mg blood alcohol allowed in the UK, so the safest option is not to drink at all when you are driving.

Be aware that you may still have alcohol in your blood if you have been drinking the evening before.

Police and Fines

Police in Portugal can and will issue on the spot fines for a range of offences including:

• Not carrying licence, vehicle documents, insurance documents or Photo ID
• Lights not working or dazzling other road users
• Speeding and other motoring offences
• Not wearing hi- vis reflective jackets when on foot on main roads
• Not carrying spare bulb kit or a spare tyre
• Children not in appropriate seats
• Using a hand held mobile phone while driving

Visitors driving in Portugal will be expected to pay the fine immediately by cash or Euro cheque or credit/debit card. If you do not have enough cash on you, the police may impound your vehicle until you pay.

Police carry out regular stops to check vehicles and documentation, and do not need a specific reason to do so. If you do get stopped by the police, remember to remain polite. If you are abusive you can and will be arrested on the spot, and may find yourself facing more than a on- the- spot fine. Ensure you get a receipt for any fines paid.

Driving Tips

• Drive on the right! It's easy to forget to drive on the right when changing roads, exiting motorways, going on to roundabouts or starting for the first time in the morning. Put a sticker on your dashboard, teach the kids to chant 'drive on the right' every time you get in the car or even wear one driving glove to remind yourself.
• Go round roundabouts ANTI- Clockwise.
• Portuguese drivers tend to drive either very fast or very slow. You may well find yourself being overtaken regularly if you stick to the posted speed limits, and will also find yourself stuck behind slow moving vehicles.
• You will be overtaken, and meet people overtaking coming the other way in hazardous areas. Drive defensively, and be aware there may be oncoming vehicles around any corner.
• Remember to reverse the directions you look, especially on roundabouts. Your instinct when turning left will be to only look to the right, but as you have to cross both lanes, remember to look both directions. This is particularly tricky when crossing dual carriageways and joining roundabouts. Reversing the directions you check will also help when you are a pedestrian - remember to look right before stepping off the kerb.
• Right of way can be tricky, with Portuguese drivers ignoring the expected priorities. If unsure, assume the other vehicles are going to carry on. Scooters may ignore stop signs altogether if turning right, as well as one- way signs and pedestrian areas.
• Portuguese road maps for towns and cities are not always accurate, and may show roads that do not always connect the way they appear to. If using paper maps, a compass may be helpful.
• Motorway toll roads are not too expensive, and are by far the fastest and easiest way to get across the country at speed. Many locals avoid them so they are usually very quiet. Take a ticket from the gate you enter, and pay at the gate you exit. Cash is the often the easiest choice for toll payment, but some take credit and debit cards. Some lanes are restricted to vehicles carrying automatic payment devices - as a visitor, ensure you use the ones marked for Euros.
• Signs are generally the same as their UK equivalents. Direction signs on modern main routes are good, but on older roads and in towns are often poor, so a good map or GPS is very useful.
• Petrol (95 and 98 Ron) and diesel is widely available. Note that some petrol stations are totally automated (and many are at night and during the extended 12 noon to 3pm lunch breaks), and require payment by credit or debit card. Not all UK cards issued by UK banks will work, so check with them before travelling. If you cannot use your card, either travel on and try to find a manned petrol station, or offer cash to another (local) motorist in exchange for them making payment on their card.
• Lead replacement petrol is increasingly rate in Portugal. The best option may be to take along supplies of fuel additive.
• 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 windscreen wipers, and carry a spare bulb kit and fuses suitable for your vehicle. Remember to check the spare wheel or inflation kit as well.
• If you are towing and use a mirror extender, check yours can be used on the left to maximise visibility when driving on the right.
• If you have UK breakdown assistance, it may well provide limited European cover. If it does not (or you do not have breakdown cover) consider getting this for the duration of your holiday. Recovering your vehicle from Portugal could be expensive, and repairing it locally may be difficult to arrange.
• Some roads in the older parts of towns are very narrow, often getting steadily smaller until progress is impossible. If you don't like reversing, you may prefer to park further away and walk. If you do park in one of the narrower roads, flip in your wing mirrors or you may find them missing on your return.
• Be very aware when driving at night that there may be large potholes, pedestrians, unlit donkey carts and scooters with no lights on the roads. Upgraded headlight bulbs or Xenon HID headlight conversion will help you spot them on dark country roads faster.

Useful Links

• European travel equipment: Autobulbs European driving accessories and spare bulbs
• VisitPortugal.com: Official Tourist website for visitors to Portugal (English version)
• Wikipedia.org/Portugal: Wikipedia entry on Portugal