Driving in Argentina vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Argentina and Portugal, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journey. Key disparities include overtaking rules, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience while driving in these two vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Argentina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Argentina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Argentina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Argentina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | 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
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
portugal:
Possible