Understanding Road Classification

The Highway Code distinguishes between different types of public roads to apply specific rules for each type. Understanding these classifications is essential for safe driving and passing your driving exam.

Types of Roads

Portuguese roads are classified into several main categories, each with distinct characteristics and rules:

Coexistence Zones

Areas where pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists share the same space. Speed limits are very low (often walking pace) and pedestrians have priority.

Typical coexistence zone with shared space

Inside Locality

Roads within towns and villages with buildings, pavements, and regular pedestrian activity.

Typical built-up area road

Outside Locality

Roads outside towns and villages, often in rural or natural settings.

Typical non built-up area road

Reserved Roads

Roads reserved for automobiles and motorcycles that follow highway rules but may have different signage colors.

VRAM road access point

Highways

High-speed roads with separated carriageways, no level crossings, and controlled access.

Typical motorway with separation

Details on Road types

Being able to quickly identify road types is crucial for answering exam questions correctly. Here's the details of each type:

Coexistence Zones

Highway code portugal tells about the Coexistence zone, Theses are specially designed areas where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles share the same space with priority given to vulnerable users. These zones have specific rules to ensure safety for all road users. According to this Article 78.º-A :

1 - The following rules must be observed in a coexistence zone:

• a) Vulnerable users may use the entire width of the public highway
• b) Playing games on the public highway is permitted
• c) Drivers must not compromise the safety or comfort of other road users, and must stop if necessary
• d) Vulnerable users must refrain from acts that prevent or unnecessarily obstruct vehicle traffic
• e) Parking is prohibited, except in locations where authorised by signage
• f) Drivers leaving a residential or coexistence zone must give way to other vehicles

2 - In regulating coexistence zones, the fundamental rules of urban design of the public highway to be applied in said zones must be observed, based on the principles of inclusive design, taking into account the needs of vulnerable users, including the definition of a single platform, where there are no physical separations of level between the spaces intended for the different modes of travel.

3 - Anyone infringing the provisions of paragraphs 1 c), d) and e) shall be punished with a fine of (euro) 60 to (euro) 300.

4 - Anyone infringing the provisions of paragraph 1(f) shall be punished with a fine of (euro) 120 to (euro) 600.

Co-existence zone signs

Inside Locality

You're inside a Locality when you see the N1A - Beginning of Locality sign:

N1A - Beginning of built-up area sign

Examples of roads inside built-up areas:

Even if the area doesn't look urban, if you see the N1A sign, you're entering a built-up area:

Roads Outside Locality

You're outside locality when you see the N2A - End of Locality sign:

N2A - End of built-up area sign

Examples of roads outside built-up areas:

When you see the N2A sign, you're definitely outside a built-up area:

Highways

A highway (Autoestrada) is a major road made for fast travel by cars, lorries, and motorcycles. It has several lanes, no traffic lights, and can only be entered or exited at certain points. People, bicycles, tractors, and mopeds are not allowed to use it. Most highways have tolls, meaning drivers must pay to use them.

Physical separation examples:

No level crossings - roads cross over or under via overpasses/underpasses:

Controlled access with specific signage:

Reserved Roads

In Portugal, Roads reserved for cars and motorcycles are called (vias reservadas a automóveis e motociclos VRAM). These roads are designed mainly for motor vehicles but are not as fast or restricted as highways. VRAM share similar physical characteristics but have different signage:

Motorways and VRAM Roads

Motorways and Roads Reserved for Automobiles and Motorcycles (VRAM) share similar physical characteristics but have different signage:

How to distinguish Motorways from Roads reserved to automobiles and motorcycles

To differentiate these two types of road we have to analyse the signalling present in the image, if the sign H24 - Motorway or the H25 - Road reserved to automobiles and motorcycles is present we know the type of road. When these signs are not present we resort to other signs:

Highway and Reserved Roads

Colours of Signals

In addition to road types, Portugal has specific route classifications that indicate the importance and function of different roads:

• Main Itineraries (IP - Itinerários Principais) - The main communication routes of greatest national interest, serving as the backbone of the national road network
• Complementary Itineraries (IC - Itinerários Complementares) - Routes that establish connections of regional interest and provide access in metropolitan areas
• National Roads (EN - Estradas Nacionais) - Important roads connecting regions and municipalities
• Regional Roads (ER - Estradas Regionais) - Roads serving regional and local traffic needs

Article 18.º — Colours

— Signs indicating lane selection and allocation, advance warning, confirmation and additional signs, with the exception of bays and markers, shall have a background colour corresponding to the road network on which they are placed, in accordance with Table XX, attached, it being understood for this purpose that:

4 — The signs of Selection and of allocation of lanes, of pre-signalling, of confirmation and complementary, with exception of the bays and markers, must have background colour corresponding to the road network on which they are placed according to table XX, in annex, being understood, for that effect, that:

a) To the fundamental network, constituted by main itineraries (IP), corresponds the colour green;

b) To the motorways, whatever the network in which they are integrated, corresponds the colour blue;

c) To the remaining public roads corresponds the colour white.

Road signs use specific colors to help drivers quickly identify the type of road they are on:

Main Routes (IP) - Green Signs

Green signs indicate Itinerários Principais (IP) - main national routes of greatest importance.

QN 2973: IP Route with green signage

Motorways - Blue Signs

Blue signs indicate Motorways (Autoestradas) - high-speed roads with controlled access.

QN 2004: Motorway with blue signage

Complementary Routes (IC) - Black/White Signs

Black and white signs indicate Itinerários Complementares (IC) - complementary regional routes.

QN 2007: IC Route with black/white signage

Motorway signage examples (blue background):

VRAM and other road signage examples (green/white background):

Exam Tips for Identifying Road Types