Driving in the Bahamas vs. Portugal: Key Differences
When it comes to road regulations, the Bahamas and Portugal present intriguing contrasts. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and traffic protocols, understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure journey. Delve into this comparison to grasp the unique driving cultures and ensure your travels are safe and compliant abroad.
Lanes
Bahamas | Portugal | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Left | Right |
Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Prohibited. |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | 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. |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
portugal:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
Bahamas | Portugal | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 90 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 120 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 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: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
portugal:
90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
portugal:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
Bahamas | Portugal | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Portugal |
Traffic Signs: Language | English; 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
bahamas:
Not used
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
Bahamas | Portugal | |
---|---|---|
U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
Bahamas | 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 | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
Bahamas | 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
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Bahamas | Portugal | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Roundabouts
Bahamas | Portugal | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
Bahamas | Portugal | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Contact local authorities |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
bahamas:
919
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
Bahamas | Portugal | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | €120 to €600 |
Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | €240 to €1,200 |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | €120 to €600 |
Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
portugal:
Possible