Traffic in Portugal, like in China, drives on the right side of the road. Driving locally is a wonderful way to travel, and renting a car is very convenient. Recently, many clients planning to immigrate to Portugal have consulted us about driving-related matters in the country. To this end, we have summarized some driving experiences in Portugal below, hoping to provide convenience for your adaptation to life in Portugal.
First, to drive while living in Portugal, you must possess a Portuguese driver's license. There are several ways to obtain one:
First: Driving school. Just like the local Portuguese, you can study at a driving school and then take the exam; once you pass, you will have a Portuguese driver's license. It is worth mentioning that if your Portuguese is good, you can take the exam directly in Portuguese. If your Portuguese is not very good, you can now attend Chinese-language classes to study and take the exam in Chinese, though this requires some related procedures and the tuition is about 300-400 Euros more expensive than the Portuguese-language classes. Alternatively, you may consider attending English-language classes, which are also more affordable than the Chinese-language classes.
Second: Exchanging your driver's license. If you already have a driver's license in China, you can apply to exchange it (during the application period, you may be able to drive for a short time using the exchange application). The Portuguese traffic department will randomly select some applicants for testing. Applying for an exchange requires some notarized documents that can be processed in China, and the cost of a license obtained this way is far lower than taking the driving test in Portugal.
Next are some practical issues once you are on the road, some of which require careful consideration. For drivers accustomed to driving in China, a reminder: there are many differences when driving abroad, so you must be careful.
First: When you first start driving, be sure to carry a map with you. Whether you are a novice or an experienced driver, not knowing the way is the biggest trouble, and as foreigners, this is exactly our biggest problem. In fact, taking a wrong turn is inevitable, but you must remain calm and not panic. It is best to find a safe place to park the car and check the map carefully; never look at it while driving. If you cannot solve the problem with a map, you can ask nearby Portuguese people for help; they are generally very enthusiastic and helpful. Kind drivers may even lead you back to the road you are familiar with.
Second: Try to avoid honking your horn while driving, unless absolutely necessary. If you make a small mistake while driving, other drivers may honk to alert you. Of course, some are warnings, while others are friendly reminders. Generally speaking, most Portuguese people have a relatively good attitude and will not treat you rudely. In addition, there are many one-way streets in Portugal; pay special attention not to enter a one-way street in the wrong direction.
Third: When driving, you should keep the word "yield" in mind, rather than the "compete" mentality that is popular in China. You should feel that "yielding" is a form of cultivation, a gentlemanly demeanor, and, more importantly, a matter of safety. Abroad, cars generally yield to pedestrians (Portuguese drivers are very polite; they usually stop at crosswalks and wave for pedestrians to cross first, with the exception of some taxi drivers). At intersections, car-to-car yielding follows the principle of secondary roads yielding to main roads and the right-hand priority rule. In the absence of signs, it sometimes relies on courtesy. When stopped at an intersection, the feeling of gracefully waving for others to go first is wonderful.
Fourth: Refueling. Unlike in China, because labor costs are high abroad, gas stations are generally self-service to save on labor. Some gas stations require payment before refueling, while others allow payment after. Gas stations are equipped with thin disposable plastic gloves for refueling and paper towels for wiping your hands. In addition, gas stations are equipped with some common tools; tools for inflating car tires and washing cars are free, but you have to pay if you want to use a vacuum cleaner.
Fifth: Parking. In many places, you must pay before parking. There are usually automatic payment machines; estimate how long you will park and pay accordingly, then place the payment receipt on the dashboard inside the front windshield, ready for police inspection at any time. If you exceed the time, you will need to pay some additional fees, and if you are caught without having paid, you will be subject to a heavy fine.