Driving in Libya vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Libya and Portugal, striking contrasts emerge that can significantly impact your travel experience. From lane markings and speed limits to documentation requirements, each country has unique rules. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey while abroad.
Lanes
| Libya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
libya:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 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 | Generally not used. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
libya:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
libya:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Libya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Libya | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
portugal:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Libya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Libya | 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 recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
libya:
International Driving Permit required
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
libya:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Libya | 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 | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
libya:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
libya:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Emergency Services
| Libya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay