We are asked about fines from time to time, particularly about carrying children in vehicles, and would like to remind Members about some rules to help you to avoid common infractions. Below you can find out what type of offence they represent, what fines can be imposed, and possible additional sanctions may be applied and of course how many points you can lose on your driving licence.
Speeding:
within the localities | outside the localities | offense type | fine | interruption of driving | points |
up to 20km/h | up to 30km/h | light | 60-300€ | - | - |
20km/h – 40km/h | 30km/h-60km/h | serious | 120-600€ | 1month-1year | 2 |
40km/h – 60km/h | 60km/h-80km/h | very serious | 300-1500€ | 2month-2years | 4 |
More than 60km/h | More than 80km/h | very serious | 500-2500€ | 2month-2years | 4 |
Transporting children: Under 12 years of age and 135cm tall without a suitable restraint system is a serious offence and carries a fine of €120 to €600 per child and you can lose 2 licence points per child.
Mobile phones: Using or handling a cell phone while driving the vehicle is a serious offence. The fine ranges from €250 to €1250, includes a driving disqualification of between 1 to 12 months and takes away 3 points on your driving licence.
For more detailed information, please check our Driving in Portugal – DIP booklet (available for Members only).
Regarding fines, the driver can choose to pay the fine voluntarily and at the time of the infraction (if applicable), otherwise they will have 15 working days from the date of notification and must follow the instructions in the document. When you do so and there is no additional sanction (this is the case with minor administrative offences), the process ends. However, if you let the deadline pass, in addition to the fine, you will have to pay costs, which have a minimum value of €52.50.
The law does not allow extending the deadline for paying the fine but provides for the possibility of it being paid in instalments if it is greater than €210, with each instalment not being less than €50 and the payment period will be maximum 12 months.
Did you know that cyclists can also lose points on their licence? Cyclists who commit serious, or very serious offenses on the road may lose points on their driving licence. The loss of points occurs if they are sentenced to an additional driving sanction and if they have a driving licence. If they are not qualified to drive, the bicycle is confiscated for a period that a licence would be suspended, ranging from 2 months to 2 years.
The offences considered serious or very serious for cyclists include not respecting a STOP sign; running a red light; disregarding prohibition signs or travelling in the opposite direction on a road.
Disclaimer
afpop considers in good faith that all the information provided is true and accurate after having endeavoured to so confirm to the best of its ability. However, afpop is not qualified to render any technical advice, recommendation or information, nor is it under any legal duty to do so. Therefore, afpop declines any responsibility for possible damages arising directly or indirectly to members or non-members from alleged incorrect or misleading advice, recommendation or information and strongly advises all members to seek always the services of qualified practitioners and/or professionals for any technical matters, such practitioners and/or professionals being exclusively responsible for possible damages arising from their activity, including their technical opinions that may be inserted in our publications.