Driving in Luxembourg vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Luxembourg and Portugal, understanding the unique driving regulations and safety measures is essential. Key disparities include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol restrictions, which can significantly impact your travel experience. Stay informed and navigate these distinct driving landscapes with confidence for a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Luxembourg | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not typically used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used. | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
luxembourg:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
luxembourg:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Speeds Limits
| Luxembourg | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 75 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 75 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
luxembourg:
75 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
luxembourg:
75 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
luxembourg:
130 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
luxembourg:
90 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
luxembourg:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Luxembourg | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Luxembourg | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French, German, and Luxembourgish; 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
luxembourg:
Not used in Luxembourg
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
luxembourg:
French, German, and Luxembourgish; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
luxembourg:
Triangular with red borders
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Luxembourg | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
luxembourg:
Not typically allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
luxembourg:
Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Luxembourg | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must have a valid national license | 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 | Mandatory; regular intervals | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
luxembourg:
Accepted; must have a valid national license
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
luxembourg:
International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
luxembourg:
Mandatory; regular intervals
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
luxembourg:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Luxembourg | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
luxembourg:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
luxembourg:
Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
luxembourg:
Can be substantial
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
luxembourg:
Results in license suspension
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Luxembourg | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or automobile club | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
luxembourg:
113
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
luxembourg:
Contact your insurance provider or automobile club
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Luxembourg | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €145 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €145 | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; severe penalties | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines often collected immediately | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually a specific period | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
luxembourg:
Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
luxembourg:
Up to €145
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
luxembourg:
Up to €145
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
luxembourg:
Varies; severe penalties
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
luxembourg:
Yes; fines often collected immediately
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
luxembourg:
Varies; usually a specific period
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay