AutobusPortugal
Règles de circulation
Portugal
26. Autobus
Un autobus est un véhicule à moteur conçu pour transporter plusieurs passagers, généralement sur route dans le cadre des transports publics, scolaires, privés ou d’un autre service de transport de personnes. Les autobus ont généralement une capacité supérieure aux voitures et peuvent être conçus pour des passagers assis, debout ou les deux.
Des règles particulières peuvent s’appliquer concernant le permis, la capacité, les limitations de vitesse, les ceintures, les voies de bus, les arrêts et l’embarquement des passagers. La classification juridique des autobus et autocars et les règles applicables varient selon les pays ; conducteurs et passagers doivent donc respecter la réglementation locale.
What is a bus?
A bus is a motor vehicle designed to transport a relatively large number of passengers. It may be used for public transport, school transport, private services or other passenger transport.
What is the difference between a bus and a coach?
A bus is commonly designed for frequent passenger boarding and may allow standing passengers, while a coach is generally designed for longer journeys with passengers seated. Exact legal definitions vary between countries.
Do you need a special driving licence to drive a bus?
Yes. Driving a vehicle designed to carry more than a specified number of passengers normally requires a dedicated bus or passenger-vehicle driving licence.
Can passengers stand on a bus?
Only when the vehicle is designed and approved to carry standing passengers. Coaches and other vehicles designed exclusively for seated passengers must not be used beyond their approved passenger configuration.
Must bus passengers wear seat belts?
Where seat belts are provided and local law requires their use, passengers must wear them correctly. Urban buses designed for standing passengers may have seating positions or operating conditions that differ from coaches.
Can buses use bus lanes?
Yes, where permitted. Bus lanes are commonly reserved for public transport buses, although local signs may also allow taxis, bicycles or other specified vehicles to use them.
Do buses always have priority when leaving a bus stop?
No. Some countries require other drivers to give way to buses leaving designated stops, particularly in urban areas, while others apply the normal merging rules.
Should you take extra care near a stopped bus?
Yes. Passengers may be boarding, leaving or crossing the road near the bus. Reduce speed where necessary and watch carefully for pedestrians emerging from behind or in front of the vehicle.
Do buses have special speed limits?
They can. Some countries impose lower maximum speeds on buses than on passenger cars, particularly on high-speed roads. Different limits may apply to buses and coaches.
Can a bus use a motorway?
Yes, normally. Buses that satisfy the applicable construction and access requirements may use motorways, but they must obey any vehicle-specific speed limits, lane restrictions and other local rules.
