Driving in Portugal vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Portugal and Serbia, understanding the distinctions in driving regulations is crucial for a secure journey. From overtaking rules to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, drivers will find notable variations. This comparison highlights essential considerations to ensure a safe and informed experience while exploring these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Portugal | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Portugal | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Serbian; 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
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Portugal | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Portugal | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Portugal | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
portugal:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
serbia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay