Driving in Lebanon vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Lebanon and Portugal, drivers encounter distinct regulations and protocols that significantly impact their travel experience. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes. Understanding these variations is essential for fostering safe and efficient journeys in each country.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Portugal |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
portugal:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Yes, annual inspection required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
portugal:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay