Driving in Kuwait vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
Kuwait and Portugal showcase distinct driving regulations and road experiences, highlighting crucial contrasts for travelers. While Kuwait emphasizes strict adherence to speed limits and has unique lane usage practices, Portugal prioritizes safety with mandatory emergency equipment and lower alcohol limits. Understanding these disparities is vital for ensuring a secure journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Kuwait | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
N/A
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Kuwait | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Kuwait | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Kuwait | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | 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
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
portugal:
Possible for severe offenses
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 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: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay