Driving in Colombia vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct nuances of driving regulations in Colombia and Portugal to enhance your travel safety. From overtaking rules to speed limits, you'll discover key contrasts, such as Colombia's flexibility in lane usage versus Portugal's strict prohibitions. Understanding these variations ensures a smoother, safer driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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 | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Colombia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | 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
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Colombia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | 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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
portugal:
Possible