Driving Differences: Liechtenstein vs Portugal Explained
When venturing into the roads of Liechtenstein and Portugal, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. From speed limits to lane markings, these two countries showcase significant contrasts. For instance, while Portugal enforces bus lanes, Liechtenstein does not, highlighting the unique driving environments of each nation.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| 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 | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
liechtenstein:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Possible |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Liechtenstein | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Liechtenstein | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | 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 annually | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.08%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
liechtenstein:
117
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
portugal:
Possible