Driving in Portugal: General Road Rules in Portugal.

Driving in Portugal

General Road Rules in Portugal:

• The driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts.
• You must carry both parts of your foreign driving license or driving license in Portugal.
• You’ll also need your vehicle registration document, MOT and a certificate of insurance.
• It can be helpful to carry your passport in case you are randomly stopped.
• You should carry a warning triangle and a reflective vest.
• You should give priority to traffic from the right.
• You’re not allowed to use green lanes on motorways unless you have an electronic toll collection device.
• It’s illegal to carry a can of petrol in your car.

When a car flashes its headlights, it means they want the right of way – the opposite of how this works in some other European countries.

Speed Limits in Portugal:

An ‘on the spot’ traffic fine can apply, where police may demand immediate payment either in cash or by credit card. Fines range from around EUR 300 up to EUR 2,500, depending on the excess over the speed limit and the zone, with higher fines imposed in urban areas.

• Urban areas – 50 km/h (30 mph)
• Rural roads – 90 km/h (54 mph)
• Motorways – 120 km/h (72 mph); minimum 50 km/h (30 mph)

Road Signs and Signals in Portugal:

• Warning signs are red triangles with illustrations in the centre for things such as sharp turns, narrow roads and animal crossings.
• An exclamation point means the danger is unspecified and you should pay extra attention.
• Mandatory signs are blue and circular, while informational signs are usually rectangular.
• A round white or blue sign with a red circle and diagonal cross means you’re not allowed to park.

You can find a list of Portuguese road signs here.

Drunk Driving in Portugal

Drunk driving in Portugal results in significant fines. The drunk driving limit is 0.49g/L. If you are above the limit you can receive a fine of EUR 1,250 and have your Portuguese driving license or international driving permit suspended for up to a year. People found to be significantly over the limit could face double the fine and anything from a long driving ban to a year in prison.

Importing a Car to Portugal

Importing a car to Portugal from your home country, registering and driving it can be a complicated process depending on where you’re bringing your car from. Whether you’ll need to pay import duty on your vehicle depends on a variety of factors, so it’s best to check the Portal das Finances website, where you can get an estimate of how much import tax you might need to pay. You will also need to ensure your vehicle conforms to Portuguese road standards.

Once you’ve received your residency card, you will need to register your foreign car in Portugal. When you come to register your car, you’ll need to provide a tax clearance certificate issued by customs, your original receipt of purchase, a copy of your foreign registration certificate and a certificate of roadworthiness (IPO), which will be issued by an IMT-approved service centre.

If you’re importing a car to Portugal and driving your own car in Portugal, you’ll also need to follow some rules:

• You must carry a warning triangle in your car in case you break down.
• If your car doesn’t have Euro plates, you should attach a sticker to the back of it denoting the country it’s from (such as GB or PT).
• You should carry a valid motor insurance certificate, registration document and your MOT certificate if you’re driving a car that’s over three years old.

In addition to paying your annual road tax fee and ensuring your vehicle is insured, you’ll also need to have an IPO test (similar to an MOT in the UK) done periodically to ensure your vehicle is up to scratch. If your vehicle is more than four years old, you’ll need to have this test done every two years up to the age of seven, and then annually thereafter.

If your vehicle passes the test, you’ll be given a report (Vinheta Verde) and a certificate with a badge, which you should display in your windscreen. If, however, your vehicle fails, you’ll have 30 days to have the required repairs made before re-entering the vehicle for inspection.

Source: Expatica.Com