Driving in Portugal vs. Slovakia: Key Differences Revealed
Discover the unique aspects of driving in Portugal and Slovakia with our comprehensive comparison. From speed limits to lane usage, each country has distinct regulations that influence road safety. Notably, Slovakia enforces a strict 0.00% blood alcohol limit, while Portugal permits 0.05%, highlighting crucial variations for travelers. Equip yourself with essential knowledge to navigate these roads confidently.
Lanes
| Portugal | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
slovakia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
portugal:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Portugal | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Portugal | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Portugal | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Portugal | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| 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%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay