Driving in Portugal vs. Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Portugal and Samoa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. From lane usage to speed limits, the contrast between driving on the right in Portugal and the left in Samoa is just the beginning. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
portugal:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
portugal:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
portugal:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
portugal:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
portugal:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
portugal:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
portugal:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
90 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common |
Limits: General Drivers
portugal:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
samoa:
Common
Roundabouts
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
portugal:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards