Turn prohibitionPortugal
Traffic rules
Portugal
1. Turn prohibition
A turn prohibition prevents drivers from turning in the direction indicated by a traffic sign. It may prohibit a left turn, a right turn or a U-turn at an intersection or along a specified section of road.
Drivers must continue along a permitted route and follow any lane arrows or mandatory-direction signs. A turn prohibition does not itself determine priority or speed, and any exemption for cyclists, public transport or other road users must be expressly indicated.
What does a no-turn sign prohibit in Portugal?
It prohibits the left, right or other turn shown at the junction or position controlled by the sign in Portugal. Follow any supplementary panel or authorised direction and choose another legal route.
🔗 ansr.pt • ANSR official RST — corrected 2019 republication, sign descriptions and markings
Does a no-left-turn sign always prohibit a U-turn in Portugal?
Portuguese rules distinguish C11b, no left turn at the next intersection, from C12, no U-turn. A U-turn must also satisfy the Road Code’s safety and location restrictions. Check all the controls at the location before making the manoeuvre.
🔗 diariodarepublica.pt • Portuguese Official Gazette, consolidated Traffic Signs Regulation, articles 19 and 24, signs A21, C11b and C12; 🔗 diariodarepublica.pt • Portuguese Official Gazette, current consolidated Road Code, articles 35, 45, 49–50 and 77; latest amendment 12 March 2025
Turning left prohibited.
English • Traffic sign C11b • No left turn. Turning left at the next junction is prohibited.
Português • C11b • Proibição de virar à esquerda. Indicação da proibição de virar à esquerda na próxima intersecção.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0)
🔗 Diariodarepublica.pt • Regulamento de Sinalização do Trânsito • artigo 24.º • C11b
🔗 Ansr.pt • Republicação oficial retificada • C11b • página 14
Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • No machine-readable author provided. Benedicto16 assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Original revision 2015-09-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Ansr.pt • official published diagram C11b.
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
No machine-readable author provided. Benedicto16 assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Source revision 2015-09-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Turning around prohibited (U-turn).
English • Traffic sign C12 • No U-turns. Reversing the direction of travel by a U-turn is prohibited.
Português • C12 • Proibição de inversão do sentido de marcha. Indicação da proibição de efetuar a manobra de inversão do sentido de marcha.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0)
🔗 Diariodarepublica.pt • Regulamento de Sinalização do Trânsito • artigo 24.º • C12
🔗 Ansr.pt • Republicação oficial retificada • C12 • página 14
Replacement SVG: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia Commons original • No machine-readable author provided. Benedicto16 assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Original revision 2014-10-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Ansr.pt • official published diagram C12.
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
No machine-readable author provided. Benedicto16 assumed (based on copyright claims). • Public domain • Source revision 2014-10-03. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Can a no-turn restriction apply only to certain vehicles or hours in Portugal?
Yes, where the local sign system provides a supplementary condition or exemption, such as a vehicle class, time or authorised access. Without a valid exception, comply with the prohibited movement shown.
🔗 ansr.pt • ANSR official RST — corrected 2019 republication, sign descriptions and markings
