No, driving with interior lights on in Portugal is not explicitly prohibited, but it may violate Regulamento de Circulação Rodoviária (Decreto-Lei n.º 44/2005) if it impairs visibility or distracts other drivers, per Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária (ANSR) guidelines. Courts assess cases individually, with potential fines up to €120 for hazardous lighting use.
Key Regulations for Driving With Interior Lights On in Portugal
- Visibility Impairment Clause (Art. 13/1): Interior lights must not obstruct the driver’s view or reduce the effectiveness of exterior lighting, per ANSR enforcement circulars (2024).
- Distraction Risk (Art. 17/3): Excessive interior lighting may be deemed a distraction under Código da Estrada amendments slated for 2026, aligning with EU Directive 2015/413 on road safety.
- Emergency Exception: Interior lights are permitted during breakdowns or medical emergencies, but only if the vehicle is stationary and hazard lights are activated, as per Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) technical notes.
Local traffic police (GNR and PSP) prioritize subjective assessments of “reasonable lighting” under Art. 126, where fines are discretionary. Vehicles with aftermarket LED interiors face stricter scrutiny due to glare risks.