Driving Differences: Antigua and Barbuda vs. Portugal
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Antigua and Barbuda and Portugal. From driving sides and speed limits to road etiquette and emergency protocols, each country showcases unique practices that influence road safety. Understanding these distinctions is vital for travelers seeking a seamless driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | 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. |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
portugal:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
portugal:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
portugal:
90 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
portugal:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
portugal:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Portugal |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
portugal:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | 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
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local 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: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | 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 | $25 to $200, points in some cases | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
portugal:
Possible