Driving in Portugal vs. Russia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Portugal and Russia, drivers encounter significant variations in regulations and practices. From speed limits and lane markings to rules for turning and alcohol limits, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Dive into this comparison to navigate the unique driving landscapes of both nations effectively.
Lanes
| Portugal | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
portugal:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
portugal:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
portugal:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Portugal | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Portugal | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Portugal | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Portugal | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common, especially in cities |
Limits: General Drivers
portugal:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay