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Speed Limits
Built-up (Urban) areas: 50 km/h = 30 mph
Other (Rural) roads: 90 km/h = 54 mph
Motorways:
120 km/h = 72 mph - (minimum 50 km/h = 30 mph)
Inside Urban area - excess of less than 20 kms = Fine up to €300.00
Inside Urban area
- excess of 20 to 40 kms = Fine up to €600.00
Inside Urban area - excess of 40 to
60 kms = Fine up to €1,500.00
Inside Urban area - excess of 60 kms = Fine up to €2,500.00
Rural
roads - excess of less 30 kms = Fine up to €300.00
Rural roads - excess of 30 to 60
kms = Fine up to €600.00
Rural roads - excess of 60 to 80 kms = Fine up to €1,500.00
Rural
roads - excess of 80 kms = Fine up to €2,500.0
Warnings
"On the Spot" Traffic Fines are now applied. Police may demand immediate payment
either in cash or using a Credit Card. but will always give a receipt.
Documents relating
to the car and its Insurance must be kept in the vehicle.
All passenger seat belts
must be worn at all times when seated in a vehicle.
All vehicles must carry within
the interior of the car a legal reflector vest. This must be worn by any person investigating
or carrying out repairs when outside the vehicle and the vehicle is stationary on
the road.
All vehicles must carry an authorized triangle which must be displayed on
the road to warn rear approaching oncoming drivers that your vehicle has problems.
Roads
and un-motorized vehicles are not well lit at night, so drive with caution.
Children
under 12 years old are prohibited from sitting in the front seat unless 150cm in
height and must wear a seatbelt. If in the back use the appropriate style chairs
for their age in the back.
Baby and booster seats are required by law up to age of
twelve and they must be used with their fastening system when travelling.
At the junction
of two roads of equal size, traffic coming from the right has priority unless otherwise
signified.
Vehicles already in a traffic circle have priority over those about to
enter.
Vehicles parked on pavements other when permitted as indicated by signs, are
subject to the vehicle being impounded for a period of one month up to one year.
Use
of mobile phones when driving is illegal and subject to a fine of up to €600.00.
Throwing
objects or litter out of cars are subject to a fine of up to € 300.00
Parking cars
facing against the flow of the traffic is illegal.
Crossing white lines, jumping red
lights, ignoring policemen signals, all are subject to losing a licence to drive
from two months up to one year.
Passing another vehicle on their right side then the
driver can be fined up to €1,250.00.
Drivers must remain at the scene of any accident
involving death or serious injury until Police arrive.
Drivers failing to respect
for "Stop" signs can lead to a fine of up to €2.500.00.
Driving below 50 Kms on Motorways
can be fined up to €300.00.
Speed limits are enforced by radar traps and unmarked
police cars.
A driver's blood alcohol level is not allowed to exceed 0.05 percent
and the penalties are extremely stiff and high amounts may include time in prison
of up to 2 years and a fine of €2,500.00. Exceeding the limit by 0.5% to 0.8 % is
a fine of €1.250.00 and temporary loss of licence. From 0.8% to 1.2% is €2,500.00
plus loss of licence. Exceeding the limit of 1.5% is subject to immediate imprisonment.
Driving
a vehicle without Insurance carries a fine of up to €2,500.00.
All fines are subject
under law to immediate payment. At the discretion of the law officer the vehicle
can now be paid by multi bank machines
This page is a guide to the driving laws in Portugal, as most of you will be aware of the Highway code in your own Country, the basics apply the the rest of Europe, the most common mistake is the driving over a solid white line or the double, the crossing of solid white lines applies to all European countries as well as Portugal, remember Just because you are on Holiday does not mean the driving laws do not apply to you, follow the basic laws below and you will enjoy your holiday and return home safely,
Driving in Portugal
For motorway information Click here
Much confusion has arisen on the correct route to take on exiting a roundabout,the diagram shown is the correct way you should give way and exit a roundabout
Accident & Breakdowns.
In the event of an accident you must leave the vehicle where it is. Once everyone is safely out of the vehicle you must wear the florescent jacket, any passenger must wait for emergency service at the side of the road not on it unless it is not safe to move them. In the event of a break down including a punctured tyre, (even if a hire car) you will be covered for breakdown cover, if you break down on a main road,put on the florescent jacket, switch on the hazard warning lights and erect the red warning triangle ( Compulsory to have) to the rear of the vehicle only when safe to do so, then call the breakdown service from the side of the road.
For Motorway information Click here
For free Motorway travel on the A22 Click here
