Do you need an international driving license to rent a car in Portugal?


Do you need an international driving license to rent a car in Portugal? Americans are not required by law to obtain an international driving permit to drive a rental car in Portugal.


Is it hard to drive in Portugal as an American?

The laws are different, the road signs are different, streets are not always named or numbered and then there are those dreaded circles or ?roundabouts?. The Portuguese drive on the same side of the road as Americans? sometimes.


Can you turn right on red in Portugal?

Portuguese traffic lights follow the conventions of the Vienna agreement and so should be familiar to most drivers. You cannot turn right on a red light unless indicated and you should also be aware that many local drivers run red lights.


Is it difficult to drive in Portugal?

Driving in Portugal is generally easy. There are a lot of recent roads and they are mostly well maintained. Some villages on hills will have very narrow roads, so park outside and explore on foot. The most tension I felt was in the Algarve, because this is the place with the most tourists.


Can I rent a car in Europe without an IDP?

Yes, you will need both your passport and your driver's license to rent a car in Europe. Additionally, for Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, or Spain, you will also need to provide an International Driver's Permit (IDP).