Road Signs in Portugal
All official road signs from the Portuguese Highway Code — browse, study, and test your knowledge.
Warning Road Signs in Portugal
Loose chippings and stones on the road warning
Road bends to the right
Heavy crosswinds in area warning
Road narrows on the left
Rail crossing without barriers ahead
Poor road surface ahead
Warning for elderly
Crossroad ahead with side road to left
Speed bumps in road
Warning for low lfying planes, aircraft and jets
Warning for equestrians
Warning for tractors
Give way to all traffic
Cars not allowed - prohibited
Movable bridge warning
Slippery road surface ahead
Steep descent ahead
Warning for a soft verge
Road ahead curves to the left side
Double curve ahead, to the left then to the right
Warning for rail vehicle - trams
Crossing for pedestrians warning ahead
Cattle crossing
Road gets narrow on the right side
Warning for traffic jams
Roundabaout ahead
Warning for a soft verge
Warning for a dip in the road
Warning for bikes and cyclists
Steep ascent ahead
Warning for elderly
Warning for children and minors
Warning for a tunnel
Warning for snow and sleet
Railroad crossing ahead with barriers
Crossroad with sharp side road on left side
Two-way traffic ahead
Falling rocks in road - area warning
Stop and give way to all traffic
Warning of poor visibility due to rain, fog or snow
Side road on the right warning
Warning for a quayside or riverbank
Rail crossing ahead with 1 railway
Uncontrolled crossroad ahead
Deer crossing in area - road
road narrows ahead
Roadworks ahead warning
Crossroad ahead, side roads to right and left
Road bends right then left
Crossroad with sharp side road on right side
Warning for accidents
Traffic light ahead
Warning for pedestrians
Rail crossing ahead with more than 1 railway
Information Road Signs in Portugal
Dead end street with a passage for pedestrians and cyclists
Information about the directions of the crossroad
End of a lane
Road with two-way traffic
End of the road with one-way traffic
Motorway Ends
Priority road ahead
End of the expressway
Road ahead is a dead end
End of the recommended speed
Priority over oncoming traffic, road narrows
Motorway begins
Begin of a parking zone
Priority road ends
One-way traffic
Begin of a new lane
Parking permitted
Recommended speed
Road bends ahead
Begin of a tunnel
Information about the directions of the roundabout
End of the parking zone
Road bends ahead
Begin of an expressway
End of the tunnel
Route to be followed in order to turn left
Pedestrian crossing - People can cross
National speed limits
Information about the destination of the ramp
Lane usage and direction overview
Mandatory Road Signs in Portugal
Driving straight ahead or turning left mandatory
Passing left compulsory
End of the divided path for pedestrians and cyclists
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Driving faster than indicated compulsory (minimum speed)
Mandatory lights off
Turning left or right mandatory
Mandatory lane for trucks
End of the path for pedestrians
Mandatory lights on
Left turn mandatory
Path for cyclists and pedestrians divided is compulsory
Mandatory left
Mandatory path for cattle
End of the shared path for pedestrians and cyclists
End of the path for equestrians
Turning right compulsory
Mandatory lane for buses
Pedestrians move use mandatory path
End of the minimum speed
Cyclist must use mandatory path
Direction of traffic on roundabout
Ahead Only
Mandatory path for equestrians
Mandatory shared path for pedestrians and cyclists
Removing snow chains mandatory
Pass on right only
End of the path for cyclists
Turning right compulsory
End of the lane for buses
End of the lane for trucks
Driving straight ahead or turning right mandatory
Snow chains mandatory
End of the path for cattle
Priority Road Signs in Portugal
Uncontrolled crossroad ahead
Crossroad ahead, side roads to right and left
Stop and give way to all traffic
Direction of traffic on roundabout
Crossroad with sharp side road on right side
Crossroad ahead with side road to left
Give way to all traffic
Side road on the right warning
Roundabaout ahead
Priority road ahead
Give way to oncoming traffic, road narrows
Priority over oncoming traffic, road narrows
Priority road ends
Road bends ahead
Crossroad with sharp side road on left side
Road bends ahead
Prohibitory Road Signs in Portugal
Motorcycles, cars and horse carts prohibited
Mopeds prohibited
Motorbikes - Motorcycles prohibited
End of the zone where parking is prohibited
End of the overtaking prohibition for motorcycles
Tractors prohibited
Overtaking prohibited for motorcycles
Pedestrians not permitted
End of the prohibition to use the horn
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No turning / u-turn allowed
Vehicles with polluted fluids prohibited
End of the overtaking prohibition for trucks
Overtaking prohibited for trucks
Pedestrians, mopeds, cattle and handcarts prohibited
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No entry (one-way traffic)
Height restriction ahead
Vehicles - Cars prohibited
Vehicles where axle weight heavier than indicated prohibited
Vehicles with dangerous goods prohibited
End of the zone with speed limit
Leaving less distance than indicated prohibited
Turning right prohibited
Using the horn prohibited
End of the overtaking prohibition
Begin of a zone with speed limit
Speed limit ends
Horse carts prohibited
Equestrians prohibited
Trailers prohibited
Give way to oncoming traffic, road narrows
Cyclists not permitted
Lorries - Trucks forbidden
Trucks and trailers prohibited
Entry not allowed / forbidden
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Entry not allowed / forbidden (checkpoint)
Turning left prohibited
Overtaking not allowed
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Speed limit
Stopping and parking forbidden
Any vehicles that are wider that indicated forbidden
Motorcycles and cars prohibited
Begin of zone where parking is prohibited
Vehicles with explosive materials prohibited
Cyclists, mopeds and motorcycles prohibited
Vehicles weighing heavier than indicated forbidden
Handcarts prohibited
No parking
Horse carts and trucks prohibited
Vehicles longer than indicated length prohibited
Why is it mandatory to know road signs in Portugal?
Road signs in Portugal are defined by the Código da Estrada and are one of the most important topics in the IMT theory test. Knowing all the signs — from warning signs to informational ones — is not only a legal requirement, it is a matter of road safety. On the road, signs communicate rules, warn of dangers, and guide traffic in real time. A driver who does not recognize them puts their own life and the lives of others at risk. On this page you can consult all official Portuguese signs with their descriptions.
Sign categories and real-world examples
Warning signs
These are the most common in the theory test. They warn of sharp curves, steep gradients, slippery surfaces, and unguarded level crossings. In daily life, seeing them in advance allows you to reduce speed and prevent accidents.
Prohibitory signs
They indicate what you cannot do: overtake, park, enter a road, or exceed a certain speed. In urban traffic and on motorways they are essential to maintain order and avoid fineable offenses.
Mandatory signs
They require a concrete action: go straight ahead, pass an obstacle on the right, or use snow chains. Complying with these signs is mandatory under penalty of a traffic offense.
Informational signs
They guide you on the road: directions to cities, distances, service areas, hospitals, and rest zones. They are indispensable on long trips and on unfamiliar roads.
Prepare for the IMT theory test
Road signs quiz
20 random questions with 5 options each. The fastest way to check if you master the signs of the Portuguese Highway Code.
Start quizChapter exercises
Besides signs, the theory test covers traffic rules, mechanics, and safety. Practice each chapter individually with real IMT questions.
View exercisesMock exam
Simulates the real theory test conditions: 30 questions, 30 minutes, and a limit of 3 errors. The best stress test before the IMT exam.
Take mock examWant to pass the theory test on your first try? Combine sign study with chapter exercises and mock exams.
Useful information about road signs in Portugal
How to memorize road signs for the test?
The best strategy is to associate the shape and color of each sign with its meaning. Warning signs have a white background and red border; prohibitory signs have a white background with a red diagonal stripe; mandatory signs are circular with a blue background. Repeat the signs quiz regularly and consult this page whenever you have doubts.
Road signs in the real IMT exam
In the official theory test, road sign questions appear mixed with traffic rules, safety, and mechanics. They typically represent about 20% to 30% of the exam. Correctly identifying a sign can be the difference between passing and failing. Therefore, mastering this page is an essential step toward your driver's license.