Driving Differences: Estonia vs. Portugal Uncovered
Explore the diverse road regulations between Estonia and Portugal, two unique driving landscapes. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels, highlighting Estonia’s stringent policies contrasted with Portugal's more lenient approach. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and compliant journey abroad.
Lanes
| Estonia | 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 | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Estonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; 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: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
portugal:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Estonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Estonia | 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 | Required every year; proof must be carried | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Alcohol
| Estonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during holidays |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | €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 | Yes | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay