Driving in Portugal vs. Turkey: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Portugal and Turkey, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key differences include speed limits for trucks, alcohol consumption limits, and lane usage rules. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Portugal | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Portugal | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Portugal | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Portugal | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Portugal | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges