Guide to Driving in Portugal

With the bad press that Portugal's road safety record has had in the last few years you are probably wondering why you would want to hire a car? Well since all the bad press, Portugal has made great strides in improving their road safety record and its not nearly as bad as they make out. Still we would advise driving with caution. The main cities can be a bit stressfull, especially around the rush hours, morning and evening.

The Mediterranean Coastal Motorway (A-7/E-15) toll road that runs from

IMPORTANT - Drink Driving Limit in Porugal
50mg per 100 ml of Blood (Less than the UK)

Economy Car Hire recommend that you don't drink and drive!

Speed Restrictions in Portugal

CAR

TOWING

KPH

MPH

KPH

MPH

Urban Areas

50

31

50

31

Major Roads

100

62

70

43

Motor Ways

120

74

100

62

Libson all the way along the mediterranean coast to Monte Carlo, is a recently built 4 lane motorway with some very interesting safety features. The central reservation has special boards down the middle which stop you getting dazzeled by driver coming in the oposite direction with their head lights on full beam.

Essential Information

Seat Belts must be worn at all times, by everyone in the car.
Children under 12 are not allowed in the front seat, unless in a approved child seat or harness. Children 3 or undermust be in a approved child seat at all times
A reflective vest must be kept in car at all times and worn when examing/repairing a vechicle while at the roadside.
A warning triangle must be displayed to the rear of the car if you have stopped at the side of the road and experiencing problems.
If you have held your license for less than 12 months then you must not exceed 90kph (55mph) and display a yellow "90" disc at the back of the car .

Fuel
Useful terms for when fueling your car.
Unleaded Regular - Gasolina Sem Chumbo
Diesel - Diesel

Mobile Phones
The use of a mobile phone in a car is only allowed if you either have a hands free kit or headset.

Parking
You must park in the same direction of traffic, parking facing on-coming traffic is illegal. If you are visiting Lisbon, its reccommended that you get a Blue Zone parking Disc, these are available from the local police, these are free.

Emergency Services Number
This is an international number and can be used in any EU country

Police -	112
Ambulance -	112
Fire -	112

For emergency details regarding your car hire please see your voucher.

Customer Comments...

"I have just returned from Portugal and wish to congratulate you on an extremely pleasant and efficient service. Your two employees I came into contact with at Faro where a credit to your company and deserve a mention. I shall take pleasure in passing your details on to friends and family... Thanks for a good car hire service and I hope to have a long future relationship with your firm..."
Charles Bull