I have posted some details about driving in Portugal, and a member sent me this pm:

Re. Driving Regulations etc. 3/4 years ago, I was fined in Sao Bras for parking within 5 metres of a road junction. There were no lines or any indication that this was prohibited, and it is these 'obscure' local laws which can cause problems for Visitors.

Still not sure whether this Law applies to the whole of Portugal or whether or not it was applicable to Sao Bras only.

Again - would it be possible for details of some of these basic, "don't do this or you could be fined" type of Laws to be highlighted in the Driving/Traffic section of FAQ?

Is this still the case? Do you know of any other 'little things' that might catch the unsuspecting driver out and result in an on-the-spot fine?

Either pm, or email or post them here.

Thanks.

Michael

We were ticketed at the short cut round about in Lagoa a couple of years ago.

It was about 4 pm. We had just driven out of a rainstorm in which we had switched on all the lights for safety - as we have been taught to do here.

It had just stopped spitting when we encountered the road block at the round about.

After walking around our rental car three times, requesting and taking our passports away without comment, and consulting with his controller at some length, the gard returned and advised us that it was an offense to have our lights on in the daytime.

We had to pay up 35 Euros on the spot! When we requested an opportunity for review, we were advised to drive to Silves but he couldn't let us have our passports back.

Looks like a goer . . .

So I have added these two to FAQ.

Keep 'em coming

SHOWWWIE wrote:
... it was an offense to have our lights on in the daytime.

That's strange, SHOWWIE....new cars sold in the United States are required to be wired in such a way as to have their lights on whenever their engines are running.
It's been this way for some time.
Motercycles have had that requirement even longer.

It's a safety feature so that you can be seen more easily.

Strange thing is, I've always been under the impression that the idea came from Europe.

Strange thing is, I've always been under the impression that the idea came from Europe.

It was probably Scandinavia - among other places.

Michael Crane wrote:

Strange thing is, I've always been under the impression that the idea came from Europe.

It was probably Scandinavia - among other places.

I think you're right.

Still, it does sound strange that the E.U. wouldn't have that standard when the U.S does.

Why on earth would it be against the law to have your lights on in the daytime, and be required to pay a 35 Euro fine on the spot?

Sounds like a scam to moi.

as far as i know, it's not against the law to have your lights on during the daytime.

*studying for my driving theory exam *

Bump.

Dipped headlights are legal - fulll beam in daytime normally are used to indicate an emergency i.e. taking some-one urgently to hospital.

Could this be the answer ?

Unless of course your driving the kids to school, your late, and then the mobile goes off and you lose total concentration and curse anyone that dares to sound the horn at you. That's what it's like round our way at about 8.45. What's the rule on mobiles in Portugal when your driving, I know what the answer should be and a night in the cells wouldn't do any harm