All car hire rates in Portugal are inclusive of unlimited mileage, full breakdown
cover, third party insurance, loss damage waiver, airport surcharges and
local taxes. Regular monitoring ensures that you can expect
the same high standard of service at all destinations in Portugal. All cars are
less than 12 months old and regularly maintained.
Argus Car Hire offer a complete range of vehicles from economy-class
to luxury vehicles, including automatics, estates and multi-seaters.
The company is totally flexible. If the chosen vehicle is not listed,
reservation staff will give advice and aim to provide whatever vehicle
is required in Portugal. Optional extras are available by booking
through the call centre, including baby seats, roof racks and snow chains.
Most prices are fully inclusive, however in some cases there may be
an additional charge upon arrival, please contact the call centre to
confirm.
Book carhire online using the secure web site.
Portugal
Drive on the right hand side.
Emergency telephone number: Police, Fire and Ambulance services 112. In Lisbon: Police 726-8022, Fire 342-2222 and Ambulance 301-7777.
Speed limits: Expressways: 120kph (74mph)
Urban stretches: 90/100kph (56/62mph)
Dual carriageways: 120kph (74mph)
Outside built-up areas: 90/100pkh (56/62mph)
Built-up Areas: 50kph (31mph)
Residential Areas: 50kph (31mph)
The minimum speed limit on a motorway is 40kph (24mph), unless otherwise indicated.
Cars towing a trailer or caravan are restricted to 70/80kph (43/50mph) outside built up areas and 100kph (62mph) on motorways. Restrictions on built up areas remain the same – 50kph (31mph).
In Lisbon watch out for the 25 de Abril Bridge, which links Lisbon with the south bank of the Tangus River at the end of the Vila Franca de Xira Motorway, as the speed limit when crossing is 30-50kph (18-31mph).
Tolls: Toll, translated in Portuguese, is portagem. At road tolls you may notice green lanes, these are for drivers who have subscribed to an automatic paying system and should be avoided in your hire car. Make sure you have currency to hand to pay for tolls, because if you are unable to, you will be fined. Visitors to Portugal are required to pay traffic fines on the spot, and they can be expensive. The toll payable on the 25 de Abril Bridge which links Lisbon to the south bank of the Tagus River at the end of the Villa Franca de Xira motorway, is payable by southbound traffic only.
General Information: The hire car must have a red warning triangle in case of emergency, which is placed at the rear of the hire car in the event of an accident or if you breakdown.
Inexperienced drivers, for example if you passed your driving test less than 12 months ago there are restrictions to the speeds you are allowed to drive at. You must apply to the ACP (Automovel Club de Portugal), the Portuguese motor club, for a yellow disc that denotes this, and it must be displayed at all times in your vehicle. The disc has a number 90, on it, which refers to the restriction of 90kph (56mph) – the speed you must keep to ay all times.
Documents: You must carry with you
• Your Driving Licence
• The Vehicle’s Log Book or Rental Contract
• Proof of Insurance
• MOT Certificate (if appropriate)
Parking: When parking you hire car, it must be facing the same direction as the traffic, the exception being if a road only allows parking on one side of it. If you park illegally your hire car can be immobilised. Do not park your hire car in close range of a bus or tram stop or of a road junction (18 meters distance is required from a road junction). In Lisbon you can obtain a Blue Zone Parking permit disc for your hire car which is free, and available from the local police.
Additional Information: Trams operate in Portugal, and where there is no platform for passengers to alight, cars are required to give way to passengers making their way to the pavement.
In rural areas the locals still use animal-drawn carts, which are slow moving and unlit, so be alert – especially in bad visibility and at night.
In Portugal you drive your hire car on the right and overtake on the left. You must also give way to trams both when they overtake you and as they approach you from the right.
Portuguese roads can be three lanes wide, but beware the middle lane is used for overtaking from either direction.
In Portugal it is required that children under 12 years do not travel in the front seats of a vehicle.
