Portugal can be scary place to drive and it’s road safety record doesn’t make good reading. In recent years the Portugese Government have implemented some excellent improvements but it would be advisable to drive with caution. The cities are extremely busy with a high density of traffic which can be rather stressful especially at peak times.

There’s no better way to discover Portugal and in particular the Algarve than by hiring or taking your own car. There are plenty of hidden gems such as quiet beaches and quaint villages in the countryside if you are prepared to find them. A sat nav would come highly recommended and would really help you discover the true Portugal. If you don’t have a sat nav or you are unable to borrow one then you can hire a sat nav for Portugal from our website.

The majority of the motorways in Portugal have toll booths and most major credit cards are accepted. Usually they are the best roads to drive on as they are well maintained with plenty of stops along the way for petrol or food. The newly built Mediterranean Coastal Motorway which runs from Lisbon all the way to Monte Carlo promises a picturesque and enjoyable driving experience following the Mediterranean Coast.

Other information

Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers in the vehicle.

Children under the age of 12 or less then 4 feet 9 inches tall must use an approved booster seat and/or harness when in the car.

A hi-vis vest must be stored in the vehicle at all times and worn if the car needs examining or repairing at the roadside.

A warning triangle must be placed behind the vehicle if you have made an unscheduled stop at the roadside due to mechanical or other problems.

If you have only passed your driving test in the last 12 months then you speed must be limited to 90kph or 55mph and a yellow “90″ disc should be displayed on the rear of the car.

Mobile phones are only permitted for use in a vehicle with a hands free kit or bluetooth headset.

Parking must be made in the same direction of the traffic where parking facing oncoming traffic is illeagal. In Lisbon Blue Zone parking discs are available from the local Police free of charge.

If you are hiring a car and it is not supplied with all the neccessary safety equipment you may be presented with a fine from the Police. Do not worry, ensure you get a receipt from them and your car rental company will reimburse you.

The drink driving limit in Portugal is 50mg per 100ml of blood, this is less than the UK. If in doubt please do not drink and drive.

Urban area speed limit – 50kph or 31mph

Major road speed limit – 100kph or 62mph

Motorway speed limit – 120kph or 74mph

Useful Phrases

Fronteira – Border

Gasoleo – Diesel

Itinerario principal – Main Road

Limite de velocidade – Speed limit

Portagem – Toll

Sem chumbo – Unleaded petrol

Australia is the 6th largest country in the World and they have many roads which stretch for thousands of miles. If you drive into the Outback it’s not uncommon that you could drive for hours without seeing another car or town. This is why it’s vital that your journey is planned carefully and should include regular breaks along the way and you have plenty of water on board as the heat can be unbearable at times. Before you leave check that your vehicle’s air conditioning is working, the car is not prone to overheating, the spare tyre is fully inflated and mobile phone is fully charged. The Outback isn’t somewhere you want to get stranded!

A sat nav would be invaluable. Not only does it ensure you are heading in the right direction but also it will give you an excellent indication of how far and how long you are to the nearest town or your destination. If you are interested in hiring a sat nav for Australia then please take a look at our website.

Kangaroos and cattle can be a hazard on country roads and colliisons are commonplace. The wildlife is most abundent at cooler times so try avoiding driving at night.

If you are planning an extended stay in Australia to make the most of this beautiful country then you might want to consider taking some internal flights coupled with hiring a car in a few different destinations. From looking at a map it is quite easy to think that some places are a lot closer to each other than you think so always do your research first to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your journey.

Other information

Vehicles give way to the right, to help you in built-up areas these priorities are clearly signposted.

Always park on the in the direction your car is facing.

Trams in Melbourne can only be overtaken on the left and you must wait behind one if it stops to allow passengers on and off. Observe road markings at right turns so not to obstruct the trams.

Minimum driving age is Australia is 17.

Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers when travelling.

There are some great places to see and drive around in Spain such as Granada and Sierra Nevada mountains, Malaga to Granada (with plenty of great stops on the way) or all the way to Seville! In the Summer months if you’re lucky enough to be in a convertible with the sun beating down on your backs driving doesn’t get much better but for those who have normal cars then make sure the air conditioning is working!

First and foremost don’t forget that the Spanish drive on the right hand side of the road. As you leave the airport you will see plenty of signs reminding you to drive on the right. If you have a sat nav then most of them these days will also remind you of this.

There recently has been a crackdown on indicating when driving on motorways and the Police are strictly enforcing fines. Please ensure you indicate when overtaking and again when pulling back into the same lane.

Like most countries Spain also has toll roads, if you are using a sat nav and planning your route it will ask you whether you wish to avoid toll roads. A sat nav comes highly recommended, especially as the roads in Spain are forever changing as the country continuously being developed. If you don’t have one then you can hire a sat nav for Spain and many other countries from Zintech. If you prefer to use a conventional map then make sure it is a recent edition and you take some time to plan your route in advance.

Accidents unfortunately do happen and if you’re involved in one then you must do the following. Exchange your details with the other party and call the police so you can obtain a police report. If you are driving your own car then inform your insurers immediately (don’t forget to take a contact number away with you) and the same goes for the car hire company if you are renting.

Further Information

All passengers are required to wear seatbelts at all times.

All spectacled drivers are required to carry a spare pair of glasses in the vehicle at all times otherwise they could be fined.

Headlight converters are required if you are driving a car to Spain from the UK. For more information please look here.

A Bulb Kit is required in your car at all times.

2 Warning Triangles are neccessary for breakdown or accidents. Place one in front of the car and one at the back.

A high-vis vest must be kept in the car and used appropriately if exiting your vehicle (motorways).

Children under the age of 12 must use an approved booster seat or harness if sitting in the front of the car.

If you are in a hire car and some of the above safety equipment is missing then you might be fined if stopped by the police. Don’t worry, the car rental compnay with reimburse you.

The blood alcohol limit in Spain is stricter than in the UK – 50mg per 100ml of blood. If in doubt don’t drink and drive.

Mobile phones are not permitted while driving, even if hands free.

Parking is not permitted if the pavement is painted yellow and any illeagally parked cars will be towed away.

Residential area speed limit – 20 kph or 12 mph

Built up area speed limit 50 kph or 31 mph

Open road speed limit 90 kph or 56 mph

Major road speed limit 100 kph or 62 mph

Motorway speed limit 120 kph or 74 mph

Useful Phrases

Abierto – Road open

Carretera de peaje – Toll road

Ceda el paso – Give way

Cerrado – Road closed

Despacio – Slow

Desviacion – Diversion

Estacion de peaje – Toll booth

Gravilla – Loose chippings

Obras – Roadworks

Peligro – Danger

Priordad – Right of way

Prohibicion – Prohibited

Salida – Exit

Unleaded fuel – Gasolina sin plomo

Diesel – Gasoleo

There are many beautiful places to see in Italy such as the Dolomite mountains, the spectacular countryside or it’s wonderful cities so hiring a car is the best way to see Italy in all it’s splendour. You can use this free driving guide to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.

Driving in the main cities of Italy isn’t for the faint hearted. We recommend you park in the suburbs then make your way via public transport but ensure you leave your car in a proper parking zone. The fines in Italy are expensive and can sometimes take months to filter their way through from the car hire companies.

The road signs in Italy are are not always clear and can leave you with little or no warning of your needed direction, especially on motorways. Advanced planning is recommended with a map or better still you can hire a sat nav for Italy from our website for total peace of mind. Sat nav’s aren’t usually pre-bookable from the car hire companies so don’t take the risk and take one with you. Our prices over 50% cheaper as well, please take a look at our price comparison table.

Not all roads in Italy are a pleasure to drive on and some road conditions can be quite rough. This can lead to damage of the underside of your car so try and avoid these roads if possible. It would be wise to check with your car insurer if you are covered for this type of damage. If you are hiring a car it isn’t uncommon to find that this type of damage isn’t covered so again, check first.

Italy’s winters are known to be quite cold, especially in the mountainous areas where snow chains are highly recommended. Another recommmendation would be to use winter fuel or a fuel additive to prevent your vehicle’s petrol from freezing which could leave you with a very expensive bill.

If you have a collision accident or there has has been a theft then you should immediately contact the police who will provide you with a police report. You should then contact your car insurers or your car hire company to inform them of the incident.

Further information:

All occupants of a vehicle are required to wear a seat-belt at all times.

Front seat passengers must be a minimum of 12 years of age or sitting in an appropriate child restraint.

A warning triangle should be placed at the rear of a vehicle in the event of a breakdown or accident.

A high vis vest must be kept in the car at all times.

If visibility is low during the day then headlights must be on (dipped).

When driving on motorways or dual carriagways headlights must be on (dipped).

When driving through tunnels headlights must be on (dipped).

If your rental car isn’t supplied with all the neccessary safety equipment and you are issued with a fine speak to your rental company. They always strive to provide everything but it is not always possible but will provide you with a refund if fined.

Mobile phones can only be used if you are using it hands-free.

Parking usually takes place on the right hand side of the road and is indicated by blue zones. A parking disc may be required which can be purchased from Service Stations and are valid in most towns.

Useful Phrases

Destra – Right

Incrocio – Crossroads

Lavori in corso – Roadworks

Nord – North

Rallentare – Slow down

Senso unico – One way street

Senso vietata – No parking

Sud – South

Svolta – Bend or turning

Tornate – Winding road

Uscita – Exit

Unleaded petrol – Benzima

Diesel – Gasolio

A majority of our customers do come from London or are travelling to the area emphasising the differculties people have in navigating the capital. Even for people living in London knowing all the back roads and short cuts is unlikely unless you have alot of time on your hands to study an A-Z or you happen to be a black cab driver. With A-Z’s often complicated and black cabs being expensive sat nav hire in London is a must. In years gone by driving to London was a major stress point but with the use of a sat nav it actually makes it an enjoyable drive passing by many famous landmarks. The other benefit of using a sat nav in London is that you are informed after entering your route that you will be travelling on a toll road (Congestion Zone) taking any uncertainty away as to whether you need to pay the charge in the parts you are visiting.

For those customers who are travelling to London for the first time here are some things to know about the Congestion Charge.

The congestion charge came into effect in February 2003 with the aim to lower the levels of traffic in London and also encourage more people to car share an duse public transport. The times at which you need to pay to drive into London are 0700 to 1800. There are no charges outside of these hours and also at Weekends and Public Holidays. The daily charge is £8 if you pay on the first charging day and £10 if you pay on the first charging day after travel. It is definitely not a good idea to avoid paying as you will be issued with a £120 non payment penalty charge.

For more information or to pay your Congestion Zone charges please click here

If you have any advice on driving in London please feel free to leave a comment for our other users.