Driving Differences: Portugal vs. Slovenia Explained
When navigating the roads of Portugal and Slovenia, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance, which can significantly impact your travel experience. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge to ensure your safety and compliance abroad.
Lanes
| Portugal | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. |
| 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.
slovenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
slovenia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
slovenia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
slovenia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 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, fines are often issued directly by police |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
slovenia:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
90 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovenia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
Signals
| Portugal | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Slovenia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Slovenian; 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
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
slovenia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Portugal | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Portugal | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Yes, periodic 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
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
slovenia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Portugal | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; roadside checks conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe fines; varies based on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
slovenia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
slovenia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | 1987 for AMZS |
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
slovenia:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Fines apply, €250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline |
| 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
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay