You may compare different driving licenses against each other for visual clarity:
Apply for an International Driver License for Portuguese-speaking countries.
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Portuguese-speaking countries
Andorra
Angola
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- Driving licences that do not incorporate a photograph must be accompanied by an International Driving License.
- Angola drives on the right side of the road.
- The minimum age to drive is 18.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 60 km/h in residential areas, 90 km/h outside of residential areas, 100 km/h on public roads and 120 km/h on highways.
- You must always give way to vehicles when leaving a parking zone, a gas station or any other building. Moreover, you also must give way to the vehicles when you enter a roundabout.
- Angola is one of a handful of countries where driving under the influence is not considered a crime.
- You are prohibited to park or stop your vehicle on the bridges, in tunnels and places with poor visibility.
- Driving in the rainy season (October-March) can be dangerous.
Brazil
Cape Verde
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License recommended.
- Cape Verde drives on the right side of the road.
- The minimum age to drive is 18.
- Seat belt is a must.
- Transport the children under 12 in the rear seat.
- The third-party insurance is a must.
- The maximum permitted speed limit is 80 km/h on highways, 50 km/h on urban roads.
- Park your car towards the flow of the traffic.
- Beware of wet pavements in the rainy season.
- Always give way to pedestrians.
- We recommend you to rent a four-wheel drive car.
- You are to pay your fines at the central police station.
East Timor
- International Driving License has no legal status.
- Driving in East Timor is on the left side of the road.
- The minimum age to drive is 18.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 50 km/h in residential areas, 90 km/h outside the residential areas and 120 km/h on highways.
- The maximum permitted drink drive limit is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- Seat belt is a must.
- Child restraint system is a must.
- Slow driving vehicles must not obstruct the traffic.
- You must always give way to vehicles when leaving a parking zone, a gas station or any other building.
Equatorial Guinea
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is required.
- The maximum allowed speed limit on urban roads is 20 km/h.
- Seat belt is a must.
- There is no national child restraint law in Equatorial Guinea.
- In Equatorial Guinea, they drive on the right side of the road.
- There are almost no traffic signs in Equatorial Guinea.
- Beware of aggressive drivers.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Avoid picking up hitchhikers.
- There are checkpoints and roadblocks almost everywhere in Equatorial Guinea.
Guinea Bissau
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License is recommended. Temporary local licence may be obtained based on national driving licence, but this may be time consuming and more expensive.
- Driving in Guinea-Bissau is on the right side of the road.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 60 km/h on urban roads.
- There is no national law concerning the use of seat belts.
- There is no national law on the use of child restraint systems. Thus, transporting children in the front seat is not forbidden.
- The maximum allowed drink drive limit is 15 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- Due to absence of public electricity, we recommend you not to drive after dark.
- Beware of landmines.
- Stay away from Casamance region.
- Driving in the rainy season (from June to October) is a real challenge.
Macau
Mozambique
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License recommended.
- National driving licenses in English are valid for 90 days.
- Mozambique drives on the left side of the road.
- The maximum permitted alcohol limit is 60 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The minimum age to drive in Mozambique is 17. If you want to rent a car, you must be at least 23.
- Hands-free is a must.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 60 km/h on urban roads, 80 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on highways.
- There are no national regulations concerning child safety on the road in Mozambique. Thus, provide safety for your child.
- Make sure you have two warning road triangles in your car as well a reflective vest.
- You are prohibited to drive on the beaches of Mozambique.
- Stop at every police checkpoint.
Portugal
- International Driving License is recognized.
- All valid driving licences in English should be accepted. Acceptance of driving licences that are not of the European Communities model cannot be guaranteed therefore drivers may wish to voluntarily update them before travelling abroad.
- Portugal is a right-hand drive country.
- Seat belt is a must.
- The minimum age to drive is 18. The minimum age to rent a car is 23.
- Hands-free is a must.
- The maximum allowed drink drive level is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.
- The maximum permitted speed limit is 50 km/h on urban roads, 90 km/h on extra-urban roads and 120 km/h on highways.
- You are prohibited to use safety camera warning devices. Otherwise, these devices will be seized and you will have to pay a big fine.
- In accordance with EU regulations, children under the age of 12 can’t sit in the front seat. If a child is sitting in the back seat, make sure you are using appropriate and secure restraint systems.
- If you throw garbage out of the window, you will be fined €300.
- Texting and talking when behind the wheel will be fined €600.
- Give way to the traffic which is already on a roundabout.
- Be careful driving at night.
- If a car flashes its lights at you, you must give it right of the way.
- A reflective vest is a must.
- A warning road triangle is a must.
- You are prohibited to have a petrol can in your car.
- Lisbon: https://youtu.be/XA_bUMhnRWA
Sao Tome & Principe
- Not party to 1949 convention; International Driving License is honored.
- International Driving License recommended.
- The country drives on the right side of the road.
- The maximum allowed speed limit is 90 km/h on rural roads and 50 km/h on urban roads.
- There is no national drink-driving law in São Tomé and Príncipe. Thus, the maximum drink drive limit is not defined.
- There is no national seat-belt law in São Tomé and Príncipe. Thus, try to take necessary safety precautions when travelling with children.
- There is also no national law on the use of mobile phones when behind the wheel.
- Avoid night driving.
- If you decide to rent a car, let it be a four-wheel drive car.
- Take into consideration that if you do not speak Portuguese, you may have big problems understanding the locals.
- Beware of pedestrians, cyclists, and animals on the road.
