Driving in Afghanistan vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When comparing road regulations between Afghanistan and Portugal, distinct contrasts emerge in traffic management and safety protocols. Key differences include the presence of bus and cycle lanes in Portugal, whereas Afghanistan lacks such features. Additionally, speed limits and alcohol regulations vary significantly, highlighting the importance of understanding these variations for a safe driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Afghanistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Afghanistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay