Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Portugal: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Portugal, drivers encounter distinct regulations that shape their experience. Key disparities include overtaking rules, speed limits, and documentation requirements. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe and compliant journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 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, frequently used | Possible |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Portugal |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
portugal:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | 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
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay