Are cars in Portugal left-hand drive?

Navigating Portugal’s Roads: A Right-Handed Affair for Drivers

Portugal, a land of stunning coastlines, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine, also presents a key difference for drivers accustomed to left-hand traffic: it’s a right-hand drive country. This means vehicles drive on the right side of the road, a fundamental shift that visitors, particularly those from countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Japan, need to understand and adapt to.

Imagine stepping off the plane, renting a car, and finding yourself instinctively positioned to the left of the road. This is precisely the scenario faced by drivers transitioning from a left-hand drive environment to the Portuguese system. Getting accustomed to driving on the right is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience exploring Portugal’s scenic routes.

One of the most important aspects to remember is the overtaking procedure. In Portugal, overtaking, or passing another vehicle, is done on the left-hand side. This contrasts sharply with left-hand drive countries where overtaking occurs on the right. This difference can be particularly disorienting at first, requiring conscious effort and heightened awareness.

For drivers new to right-hand drive, several precautions can help ease the transition:

• Focus and Awareness: Maintain a high level of concentration, especially in the initial days of your trip. Be acutely aware of your position on the road and the flow of traffic.
• Verbal Cues: Vocalize your intentions to yourself. For example, say aloud, “I’m approaching a roundabout, I need to enter to the right” or “I’m overtaking this vehicle, so I need to move to the left.” This active engagement can reinforce the correct actions.
• Practice in Quiet Areas: Before venturing onto busy highways, spend some time driving in quieter, less congested areas to get a feel for the car and the road.
• Roundabouts and Junctions: Pay close attention to roundabouts, which are common in Portugal. Remember to yield to traffic already on the roundabout and enter to the right, moving in a clockwise direction. Carefully observe signage and road markings at junctions to ensure you’re taking the correct route.
• Passenger Assistance: If traveling with a passenger, ask them to act as a second pair of eyes, especially during tricky maneuvers like overtaking or navigating complex intersections.
• Remember the Mirror Image: Everything is essentially reversed. The gear stick (if manual) will be operated with your right hand instead of your left.

While adapting to right-hand drive might initially seem daunting, with careful attention and a proactive approach, drivers can quickly adjust and fully appreciate the freedom and beauty of exploring Portugal’s roads. The key is to be mindful, patient, and to remember that even experienced drivers need time to recalibrate their instincts when faced with a different driving environment. So, prepare yourself, embrace the change, and enjoy the ride!