Driving Differences: Peru vs. Portugal Explained
When navigating the roads of Peru and Portugal, understanding the variations in regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. From lane usage rules to speed limits, these countries exhibit distinct driving customs. Notably, overtaking practices and alcohol limits differ significantly, making it crucial for travelers to familiarize themselves with these key distinctions for enhanced road safety.
Lanes
| Peru | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
peru:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
peru:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Peru | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; often collected by traffic police | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
peru:
40-60 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
peru:
90 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
100-120 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
peru:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Peru | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Peru | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
peru:
Yellow
portugal:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
peru:
Not used in Peru
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Peru | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Peru | 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 | Mandatory, proof is required during checks | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Typically displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Peru | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used more compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Peru | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used widely | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
peru:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
peru:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Peru | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 105 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
peru:
105
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Peru | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, often substantial | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay