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According to a report by Postal, the rules regarding driving in the middle lane are outlined in Article 13 of the Highway Code, “driving position”.
The Highway Code states that:
- The driving position of the vehicles must be on the right side of the carriageway, keeping a sufficient distance from curbs or sidewalks to avoid accidents.
- When necessary, the left side of the carriageway can be used to overtake or change direction.
- Whenever, in the same direction, there are two or more lanes of traffic, this must be done by the lane furthest to the right, however, another one may be used if there is no space in that lane, as well as to overtake or change direction.
- Anyone who violates the provisions of paragraph 1 is punished with a fine of (euro) 60 to (euro) 300, except as provided in the following number.
- Whoever circulates in the opposite direction to that established is sanctioned with a fine of (euro) 250 to (euro) 1250.
In addition to the fine, you may also be issued with an accessory penalty of driving disqualification for a period of between two months and two years.
If on a motorway the car in front of you is driving in the middle lane and you want to overtake it, you will have to move to the left lane and then return to the right lane.
Can you lose points on your driving license if you drive in the middle lane?
The National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) clarifies that driving in the middle lane is considered a very serious offense and can result in the subtraction of points from the driving license.
It should be recalled that Article No. 146 of the Highway Code establishes that very serious administrative offenses are sanctioned, in general, with 4 points on the driving licence.
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Português (Brasil)
With the country having a none described police force thier is nothing to stop it.!!!!!!!!!!!
By F from Porto on 30 Aug 2023, 07:40
How about a €100 fine for failing to indicate? Or a similar €300 fine for driving over the dividing line on the road? This not only prevents a car overtaking from behind, but risks hitting an oncoming car. The practice of driving with part of the car on the other side of the dividing line is widespread. Drivers mustn't drive with impunity and the rules must be respected.
By Billy Bissett from Porto on 30 Aug 2023, 09:31
Another never ending story. Using the phone while driving is another thing that could easily be identified (car without hands-free system moving and phone call going on) and punished. But not driving in the right hand lane doesn't hurt anybody in many situations. It actually avoids frequent overtaking when many slower vehicles are on the road.
By Tom from Lisbon on 30 Aug 2023, 14:14
If only! Currently in Portugal people drive on the middle lane with nobody else on the right side lane, even the police get past them and keep going, ignoring it.
The police in Portugal is a joke regaring traffic rules. They often don't even use their indicators, much less show the best driving example to others.
People don't even take the traffic police seriously unless they are stopped to be fined.
So, if only this was true, but it's not. People CAN be fined, but they most likely WON'T be and things won't change anytime soon.
By J from Lisbon on 30 Aug 2023, 21:58
Absolutely agree with Billy Bisset that there should be fines for not signalling and driving on the dividing lines. What about fines for double/triple parking and disposing rubbish out of the car windows whilst driving?? There are so many of such disgraceful and inconsiderate drivers here in the Algarve!!
By Josephine Ejlersen from Algarve on 31 Aug 2023, 06:11
Laws are all well and fine. But with no control, no consequence and zero respect, they amount to very very little. I am not sure drivers elsewhere in Europe are intrinsically any better l, but they worry about potential fines etc. Here? Forget about it. What are laws and regulations worth, if nobody is there to uphold them?
By Bo Palle Hansen from Lisbon on 31 Aug 2023, 06:47
If they followed the speed limit strictly and there was an opportunity to get out of the right lane driving 120km/h, this problem would not exist
By SS from Porto on 31 Aug 2023, 12:54
The correct translation from article 13 is not "must be" ("tem de") but "should be" ("deve"). It doesn't sound like much but makes a huge difference in legal terms.
By Ricardo from Lisbon on 31 Aug 2023, 23:51
It looks like there are many people who would like to have permanent supervision and fines issued for every small deviation from the rules. That is a bit sad. I hope that traffic police focus on behaviors that might cause serious damage to others.
By Tom from Lisbon on 01 Sep 2023, 15:29
To all of you talking about phones, rubbish, speeding, indicating, crossing a divided line you do realise those laws are already in place hahaha. All getting angry about 1 thing that begrudges you but them laws are already in force. If you get caught that's a different matter.
By Bradley Hardaker from Lisbon on 02 Sep 2023, 12:30
Yes Bradley, those laws do exist. The Portuguese however, do not respect them. The Portuguese are the worst drivers in Europe, speeding, tailgating, not knowing how to use a roundabout nor indicators. They should use donkeys instead of cars since they take so much pride in not knowing how to drive.
By S from Other on 03 Sep 2023, 15:34
I love the Algarve. So many nice people, and many wonderful aspects of daily life, but I have to state that the standard of driving is horrendous (a big negative). It is much worse than many other places in Europe. The driving traits mentioned in these posts are too common. I have had a few too many close calls this summer. Including nearly being rammed into the central reservation by a coach charging across 3 lanes while the driver was on the phone. The laws on dashcam usage are ridiculous and need to be changed as soon as possible.
By Paolito from Algarve on 04 Sep 2023, 08:33