Driving Tips for the Algarve

Driving a car in Portugal is a different experience to driving in the UK and many other European countries. Below is some general advice for driving during your stay in the Algarve.

Remember that on roundabouts you must give way to the left (the opposite to the UK). There is a big roundabout at the exit of Faro Airport...so be prepared to look left!!!

On motorways, stay to the right initially, you will then be in the slower lane.

The wearing of seat belts is compulsory in the front and back of vehicles.

Maximum motorway speed limit in Portugal is 120km/h.

Multi-lane roads (dual carriage-ways) often have traffic lights to allow traffic to cross.

With the steering wheel on the left hand side, ensure that you allow enough room on the right hand side of the car to pass stationary/moving vehicles (it is easy to under-estimate the clearance on the passenger side).

When driving a rental car ensure that you have all the rental car paperwork, driving licence and passport with you at all times. In Portugal this is a legal requirement.

The heat in summer in the Algarve can be intense. Air conditioning from May to September is advisable.

Always have a bottle of drinking water in the car in case of breakdown.

Sun glasses are recommended for driving due to the light intensity, especially in summer.

The legal limit for alcohol is lower than in Portugal than in the UK (0.5 mg per ml which is equivalent to a small beer). There are visible police checkpoints at many roundabouts in the Algarve to discourage drink-driving.

Consider taking no excess Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) Insurance to remove your insurance liability if you hire a car.

If you have an accident in your rental car, you will need to report the accident to the police in Portugal for insurance purposes.

Consider hiring a sat nav if you are doing a lot of driving and are unfamiliar with the region.

If you are driving into Spain, check that your rental car insurance and breakdown insurance provides relevant cover.

If you are driving into Spain, Blue Valley Car Hire also provide car and minibus rental at Alicante, Malaga and Murcia airports. It is possible to collect the vehicle in Faro and drop-off in Spain.