The new road signs came into force in 2020

«Sign of the times», now there is signage indicating entry into a low-emission zone (as Avenida da Liberdade will become), but there are also signs of Local accommodation and others aimed at electric cars, which are slowly starting to gain traction in cities. One of the highlights goes to introduction of a sign indicating entry into a residential or cohabitation area between people and motor vehicles.

But there’s more. THE sign demarcating «30 zones»where the maximum speed is 30 km/h, it is now part of the signage options and there are new signs information and new symbols of tourist, geographical, ecological indication And cultural. While some will become part of the common landscape, others will be rarer to find, but it is important to know them all.

The road signs you will need to know

Danger signs

> A17a – Passage for bicycles: indication of the approach of a cycle path;

> A19c – Iberian lynx: indication that the road can be crossed by the Iberian lynx;
> A19d – Amphibians: indication that the road may be crossed by amphibians.

Signs of obligation

> D5c – Mandatory route for motorcycles: indication of the obligation for motorcycles to circulate along the traffic lane to which the sign refers;
> D6a – Lane reserved for vehicles with high occupancy rate: indication of a traffic lane reserved exclusively for the circulation of vehicles carrying two or more people including the driver;
> D11c – End of the mandatory lane for motorcycles: indication that the mandatory route for motorcycles has ended;
> D17 – End of the lane reserved for highly occupied vehicles: indication that the lane reserved for high occupancy vehicles has ended.

Area signs

> G4a – 30hm/h zone: indication of entry into a 30 km/h zone in which traffic calming devices are applied in order to limit the maximum driving speed to 30 km/h;
> G5c – Low Emission Zone (ZER): indication of entry into an area where the transit of vehicles whose emissions exceed a level defined in an additional panel is prohibited;
> G10 – End of the 30 km/h zone: indication that the 30 km/h zone has ended;
> G11 – End of the Reduced Emissions Zone (ZER): indication that the low emission zone has ended.

Information signs

> H7a – Passage for bicycles: indication of the location of a cycle path;
> H14d – Camper service area: indication of the existence of a space intended exclusively for campers;
> H16b – Local accommodation: indication of the existence of local accommodation facilities;
> H33a – By manual: indication of a motorway lane where payment is made in cash or by payment card, manually or with a licensed operator;
> H33b – Automated manual route: indication of a motorway lane where payment is made in cash or by payment card, manually or with the appropriate machine;
> H33c – ViaCard: indication of a motorway lane where payment takes place exclusively with the ViaCard card;
> H46 – Residential or cohabitation area: indication of entry into a coexistence area;
> H47 – End of residential or cohabitation area: indication that the coexistence zone has ended;
> H48 – Speed ​​reducing hump: indication of the position of a bump.

> H49a – Emergency rest area: indication of a place that can only be used in case of emergency/danger;
> H49b – Emergency stop area: indication of a place that can only be used in case of emergency/danger, with a place equipped with an emergency telephone;
> H50a, H50b, H51a and H51b – Emergency exit: indication of the location of an emergency exit and the direction and distance to the nearest emergency exit.

Other new features: tourist panels and signs and variable messages
The signage update now carried out has also brought new features to the additional panels, the tourist-cultural signs, the symbols and the variable message signs.

Os additional panelsas usual, they act as a complement to the vertical signs. That is, they are not used in isolation, but always together with another sign. Here, for example, a new panel has been added which indicates that a certain message applies only to charging electric vehicles, or another which excludes bicycles from the requirements indicated on vertical signs.

Os tourist-cultural signage it also gained new members. They indicate the direction of the circuit or route through the graphic diagram of a roundabout and can also indicate the point at which a circuit ends.

Os symbols were reinforced with some references to electric cars (such as the existence of gas stations serving these vehicles). There is also the introduction of a symbol for local accommodation. An adaptation of signage to a new reality.

Finally, the variable message signs and the variable message signals they also have changes. Some of them are signals that we already see in vertical or temporary signs, and therefore are not exactly new. The difference is that they can now be used in variable message signaling.

> V1: lane reserved for vehicles with a high occupancy rate;
> V2: Deviation;
>V3: Road Closed.

There are many new features in the signage. To consult all the new signs you can consult this document prepared by the National Road Safety Authority.

The insurance does not require a deposit

If there’s one thing that doesn’t need signage, it’s car insurance. Regardless of the type of road or the maximum speed allowed, insurance is a legal requirement.

The lack of insurance entails the payment of a fine of between 500 and 2,500 euros, if the vehicle is a motorbike or a car, or between 250 and 1,250 euros, if it is another motor vehicle. Furthermore, being a serious infringement, it can lead to disqualification from driving from one month to a year, as well as the loss of points on the license (two, in this case).

In Generali Tranquilidade Car Insurance you have three coverage options (Base, Plus and Top), which adapt to your life. Speak to Generali Tranquilidade or contact your mediator and discover the advantages.