CAR HIRE IN PORTUGAL

Portugal has the poorest road safety record in Europe and great care should be taken when driving there, especially on busy coastal roads; the N125 near Faro has a particularly bad reputation. Driving in Lisbon can be stressful too. In rural areas look out for horse-drawn carts and flocks of sheep and goats on the road.

Motorways

Motorways (auto-estradas) are the best way to cover long distances quickly and safely, although most are toll roads. Avoid the green lanes which are reserved for local drivers who subscribe to an automatic payment system. Keep your speed between 30 and 50KPH when crossing the Tagus bridge in Lisbon, and don't run out of fuel on it either - it's an offence. LPG is not available in Portugal, and spare fuel must not be carried in cans.

Give way to the right

Be prepared to give way to the right even if you appear to be on a main road. Overtake stationary trams on the right only, when passengers have finished getting on and off.