Driving in Portugal vs. Romania: Key Safety Differences
Explore the unique driving landscapes of Portugal and Romania as we delve into their distinct road regulations and practices. From speed limits to lane usage, significant disparities emerge. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Portugal | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
portugal:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes, common practice |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Portugal | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Portugal | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Portugal | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Portugal | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
portugal:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
portugal:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist