Iceland vs Portugal: A Driving Safety Comparison
When navigating the roads of Iceland and Portugal, drivers encounter notable distinctions in regulations and practices. From overtaking rules and speed limits to alcohol policies and emergency procedures, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Prepare to explore the unique aspects that set these two destinations apart on the road!
Lanes
| Iceland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| 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
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
portugal:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Iceland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Portugal |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
portugal:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
portugal:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
portugal:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Iceland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Iceland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Iceland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
portugal:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay