Driving in Portugal vs. Senegal: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Portugal and Senegal, understanding their distinct driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences emerge in overtaking rules, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions, with Portugal enforcing a stricter alcohol limit and unique lane usage. Arm yourself with this essential knowledge for a smoother experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Portugal | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
senegal:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
senegal:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
senegal:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
senegal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
senegal:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
senegal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
senegal:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
senegal:
110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
senegal:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
senegal:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
senegal:
Yes
Signals
| Portugal | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Senegal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
senegal:
Not used in Senegal
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
senegal:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
senegal:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Portugal | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not commonly allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
senegal:
Not commonly allowed
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
senegal:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Portugal | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
senegal:
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
senegal:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
senegal:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
senegal:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
senegal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
portugal:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
senegal:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Alcohol
| Portugal | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
portugal:
0.05%
senegal:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
senegal:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
senegal:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
senegal:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
senegal:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 18 or 17 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | 17 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
portugal:
112
senegal:
18 or 17
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
senegal:
17
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
senegal:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | 10,000 CFA |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | Varies; significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes; often required immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 7 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
senegal:
Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
senegal:
10,000 CFA
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
senegal:
Varies; significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
senegal:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
senegal:
Yes; often required immediately
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
senegal:
Varies; typically 7 to 30 days