Driving Differences: Albania vs Portugal Uncovered
When navigating the roads of Albania and Portugal, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Key variations in lane usage, speed limits, and documentation requirements highlight the unique driving landscapes of these countries. Discover the crucial contrasts that could impact your travel experience in Albania and Portugal.
Lanes
| Albania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 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 paid at the scene. | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Albania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Albania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Albania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
portugal:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Alcohol
| Albania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Albania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay