Driving Differences: Austria vs. Portugal Explained
When exploring the roads of Austria and Portugal, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and the use of indicators at roundabouts. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in these diverse European landscapes.
Lanes
| Austria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Possible |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Austria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Portugal |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
portugal:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Austria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Austria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | 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 | Yes, proof may be required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Austria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay