Watch out for them. my wife and me will be arriving in Lisbon Jan 21 for 10 days of independent travel before heading to Cadiz hopefully.Planning on heading to the Algarve region, have visited cities north of Alentejo. Petrol, diesel and LPG fuel types are all readily available at petrol stations. 1. Stay calm; it won’t last long because they’ll overtake you are the first opportunity, pretty much ignoring oncoming traffic. When renting a car in Portugal, you’ll need to pay a deposit by cash or credit card, which will be refunded when you return the vehicle in its original condition. Also, old fashioned road maps are handy. Here are some tips for driving in Portugal plus important Portuguese road rules, including: The minimum age to drive a car in Portugal is 18 years. This is perfectly exemplified by the sprite centurion ta… TOLLService works slightly differently. When in Portugal, drive on the right side of the road. However, new cars tend to hold their premium value for longer than in other countries. Finally, EASYtoll involves entering your license plate number and bank card details at a toll machine at the start of your journey and then having the fees automatically debited from your account. Portugal is quite a socialist and statist country and the police may be very heavy-handed with drink driving - because that is the way they want to run their country. Wearing headphones while driving is also illegal. Slip roads on and off dual carriageways are sometimes the wrong way around, which means that while you’re busy slowing down and indicating to pull off, new cars will be trying to enter the flow of traffic. Driving in Portugal is pretty much the same than in other countries in Europe Examination of the Highway Code in Portugal You should normally attend all the theorical lessons in order to be able to understand all the topics of the Portuguese Highway Code. The vehicle must be properly insured and taxed. It’s best to drive cautiously. Respect for Portugal means respect for their laws. While it's hopeful you'll never need to use it, the police emergency number in Portugal is 112. Cars driving on a roundabout have the right of way, and on crossings without stop signs or traffic lights, vehicles from the right have preference. To drive a car in Portugal, your own or a rental, you must be over 18 years of age. 14 comments on “Driving in the Algarve, Portugal” John — December 24, 2019 @ 1:23 pm Reply Hi it was a great blog full of good information regarding Algarve region. Talking about pedestrians: Except in the cities, there aren’t many sidewalks, so people walk in the street. Driving in Portugal can be a challenge or a joy, depending on how well prepared you are. Importing your car to Portugal can be a time-consuming and expensive process, with several different elements to factor in. The make, model, power and age of the vehicle you’re driving also play a role. You may need to pay a small charge if you use a credit card to pay. Using your mobile phone whilst driving is illegal and will result in a fine. Take pictures of the car from every angle, so they can’t come back to you later, trying to charge you for a scratch or dent you aren’t responsible for. Before driving through Portugal, it is a good idea to be familiar with the rules and regulations of the country just to avoid any confusion. When getting your reserved car, double-check that all the documents are there and up to date. For Centaurauto, which has many outlets in Portugal, it’s 351 308 810 816. Driving in Portugal with US license is possible as long as you have an international driver’s license or permit. If your car breaks down, put the hazard lights and your reflective jacket on and call the assistance number you will hopefully have contracted when renting your car. If you are only used to automatic, make sure you request one when making your reservation. Driving in Portugal Tips & Potential Hazards. Import duty: Regardless of whether you’re importing from an EU/EEA or non-EU country, you might need to pay import duty on your vehicle. Therefore it’s a good idea to get a car with GPS or bring your own. Certain permanent residents can use their foreign license until it expires. Drink-driving in Portugal is very risky, particularly during holidays (Xmas / New Year and the main summer holidays around August). They are also often written in white on the road itself. If you use toll roads a lot, you can also subscribe to the Via Verde system. Americans and nationals of other European Union countries are allowed to … This can either be in the form of your title deeds (if you own a home) or your rental contract (if you rent). No-claims bonuses (Premio Bonus Malus) exist in Portugal and offer favorable rates for drivers who haven’t been involved in any accidents since their policy started. Driving on the motorway is straightforward, but it can get tricky when you venture into the countryside. Most insurers provide an around-the-clock phone number you can call immediately after an accident, and should be able to give specific advice based on your circumstances. You can top up anything between €5–40 online or at a post office. Americans and nationals of other European Union countries are allowed to drive in Portugal with their local driving license. You can find out how much Portuguese road taxes you’ll need to pay here. valid UK driving licence. The only difficulty might be in the city centres where the streets are very narrow and the roads are made of cobblestone. Wearing headphones whilst driving is forbidden. Here’s a checklist of things to consider before driving in Portugal, including information about Portuguese road rules, car rentals, tolls, road signs, and driving license requirements. If you are resident in Portugal and your UK driving licence is lost, stolen or expires, you will not be able to renew it with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). A lot of people are nervous about driving in Portugal for the first time, but it’s actually not that bad. Headlights must always be used in tunnels. Provided they don’t stay longer than six months, an International Driving License is not required. Here are some of the key rules you’ll need to know before driving in Portugal. Make use of your horn. A white and blue sign with a red line across it usually signifies a no parking zone. Motorbikes cannot carry passengers under the age of seven years. The best way to avoid trouble is to designate a non-drinking driver for the day. Your choices will not impact your visit. The alcohol limit is 0.5 grams of alcohol for 1 liter of blood. There are plenty of places to hire a vehicle in Portugal. Be prepared to be cut off or met with a car that turns without indication. Sure, indicating isn’t all that common, people do drive bumper-to-bumper, and Portugal does have one of the highest accident rates in Western Europe, but it’s actually alright. This, in addition, affects your insurance premiums. Otherwise, you’ll be driving illegally in Portugal. If you don’t bring your own car, which is unlikely for Americans, you will want to hire a car for your road trips. Newer cars are also judged on engine power and CO2 emissions. The style of driving in Portugal, however, is sometimes aggressive or erratic. Driving age in Portugal is 18 years old; Driving is on the right side with the wheel on the left side of the vehicle; Alcohol limit - legal limit is 50 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood; Use of cell phone - you can use only with hand-free system; Headphones are illegal; Seatbelts are compulsory for driver and passengers The most important point is of course to have the correct driving license. For non-EU citizens, whether you’ll be able to exchange your license or need to apply for a new one depends on whether your home country has a reciprocal agreement with Portugal. There is zero tolerance for drugs. Remember to drive on the right in Portugal; The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, except for drivers who have had their license for less than three years - the limit in this case is 0.02%. This is a €20 pre-loaded ticket that you can use for up to three days. 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Motorists pay tax annually on the date the car was originally registered, and you’ll need to keep your receipt as proof that you’ve paid. Rental car firms are ample in Portugal. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. It’s important to remember that Portugal has the metric system, so all measures are in kilometers per hour, not miles. The style of driving in Portugal, however, is sometimes aggressive or erratic. Tourists and short-term visitors can drive in Portugal for up to six months using their foreign license. For expats moving to Portugal, you must get a Portuguese driving license within 60 days after registering your residency in Portugal. In Tavira, Algarve, Portugal can say that driving in Portugal, at. 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