MotorwayPortugal
2. Motorway
A motorway is a road specially designed and signposted for motor traffic. Motorways normally have separate carriageways for opposing traffic, controlled access through designated entrances and exits, no direct access to neighbouring properties, and no level crossings with other roads, railways or paths.
Special traffic rules apply on motorways. The permitted road users, speed limits, lane rules, tolls and emergency procedures vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.
Wikimedia.org • Kolforn • CC BY
How do people refer to a motorway in Portugal?
The Portuguese term is autoestrada. Follow its motorway designation; a main road or divided road is not automatically an autoestrada.
🔗 pgdlisboa.pt • Portugal, Código da Estrada — articles 13, 24–28, 72–75; RST D8, H24–H25
🔗 ansr.pt • ANSR official RST — corrected 2019 republication, sign descriptions and markings
Start of a motorway.
English • Traffic sign H24 • Motorway. Marks entry to a motorway, where the traffic rules specific to this road type apply.
Português • H24 • Autoestrada. Indicação de entrada numa autoestrada, vigorando na mesma, por consequência, as regras de trânsito especialmente destinadas a esse tipo de vias.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0)
🔗 Diariodarepublica.pt • Regulamento de Sinalização do Trânsito • artigo 34.º • H24
🔗 Ansr.pt • Republicação oficial retificada • H24 • página 20
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0 • Source revision 2015-03-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.
End of the motorway.
English • Traffic sign H38 • End of motorway. Marks the end of the motorway.
Português • H38 • Fim de autoestrada. Indicação de que terminou a autoestrada.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0)
🔗 Diariodarepublica.pt • Regulamento de Sinalização do Trânsito • artigo 34.º • H38
🔗 Ansr.pt • Republicação oficial retificada • H38 • página 21
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0 • Source revision 2015-03-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.
What speed limit applies to cars on a motorway in Portugal?
For an ordinary passenger car without a trailer, the general maximum is 120 km/h. Obey lower posted limits and reduce speed when traffic, weather or visibility requires it. Different limits can apply to other vehicle classes.
🔗 pgdlisboa.pt • Portugal, Código da Estrada — articles 13, 24–28, 72–75; RST D8, H24–H25
🔗 ansr.pt • ANSR official RST — corrected 2019 republication, sign descriptions and markings
Who may use a motorway in Portugal?
Pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds, quadricycles, agricultural vehicles and certain other categories are prohibited. Eligible motor vehicles must be capable and legally permitted to travel faster than 60 km/h. This admission condition is different from the minimum driving-speed rule.
🔗 pgdlisboa.pt • Portugal, Código da Estrada — articles 13, 24–28, 72–75; RST D8, H24–H25
🔗 ansr.pt • ANSR official RST — corrected 2019 republication, sign descriptions and markings
What should I do if I miss a motorway exit in Portugal?
Continue to the next exit and choose a safe onward route. Do not reverse, make a U-turn or cross the central reservation to return to a missed exit.
🔗 pgdlisboa.pt • Portugal, Código da Estrada — articles 13, 24–28, 72–75; RST D8, H24–H25
🔗 ansr.pt • ANSR official RST — corrected 2019 republication, sign descriptions and markings

Traffic rules
Portugal