How To Get A Portuguese Driving License As A Foreigner.

Find out if you need a Portuguese driving license as a foreigner, whether by taking a driving license test in Portuguese, arranging a driving license exchange, or using an international driving permit.

You don’t typically need a Portuguese driving license as a temporary visitor in Portugal (up to six months), as it is generally permitted to drive using your international license or EU license during this period.

If you relocate to Portugal, however, requirements change once you get a Portuguese residence permit, after which certain nationalities have a timeframe in which they must apply for a Portuguese driving license. Other nationalities, such as EU citizens, can continue to drive without a Portuguese driver’s license but still need to register with Portugal’s traffic authority.

This guide explains if you need a driving license in Portugal, who can arrange a Portuguese driving license exchange and who will need to take the driver license test in Portuguese, plus some general road rules in Portugal and the process of importing a car to Portugal.

Who needs a Portuguese driving license?

You’ll need to be at least 18 years of age to drive a car in Portugal. As a temporary visitor, you’re allowed to use a valid international license for up to six months. If you continue to use your license after this date without renewing it or arranging Portuguese driving license exchange, you could face heavy fines. When driving as a visitor it can be worth purchasing an International Driving Permit, even though it isn’t required in all cases.

If you relocate to Portugal and become a permanent resident, however, the conditions change. If you have an EU/EEA license you can simply continue to use this until it expires. If you have a non-EU license, you may be mandated to get a Portuguese driving license.

Portugal Driving License Exchange: For EU Licenses

If you move to Portugal and want to continue using your international driving permit, you’ll need to inform the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT, Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes) within 30 days of obtaining your residence certificate. You can also continue using your EU driving license until it expires. Failure to let the IMT know you’ll be using your old license can result in significant fines.

However, it can still be worthwhile to arrange a Portugal driving license exchange for your EU license. This is large because if your license is damaged, stolen or lost, it can only be replaced by the organisation that issued it. This may cause problems in some cases, for example, if you have a UK license the DVLA doesn’t renew or replace licenses to addresses abroad.

When registering for a Portuguese driving license exchange, you’ll need to provide the following documents:

• Proof of residency
• A completed IMT Modelo 13 application form
• A photocopy of your current driving license
• Proof of identity

You will typically pay a fee and may need to provide a medical report if requested.

Even if you hold an EU driving license that remains valid for an unlimited period, you still have to renew your license for a Portuguese one, two years after changing your official place of residence.

Portuguese Driver’s Licenses: For Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU license holders are allowed to drive in Portugal using their foreign license for a fixed period. How long you’ll be allowed to use your existing license depends on where you’re from.

Typically, if your country is part of the Road Traffic International Agreements, you must exchange your non-EU driving license within 185 days after obtaining residence in Portugal. If you’re an Australian, Canadian, South African or US citizen, for example, you can use your license for six months before you must exchange it for a Portuguese driving license.

When exchanging a US license for a driving license in Portugal, American citizens need to apply for an abstract of their driving record from their last state of residence and a physician’s certificate to prove they are fit to drive.

As Australian licenses don’t have a ‘valid from’ date printed on them, citizens may need to get a document from the Australian authorities to confirm their license start date.

If you have previously exchanged your foreign license in another country, you are free to use your EU license.

You can find out how exchanging a license works for citizens from your country on the IMT website.

Driving License Test In Portugal:

When your foreign license expires, or if you’ve never had one at all, you’ll need to pass a Portuguese driving test. The driving test in Portugal consists of three parts – technical, theoretical and practical:

• Theoretical – 30 questions in 35 minutes (Passing mark: 27 out of 30)
• Technical exam – 50 minutes
• Practical driving exam – 40-50 minutes with instructor and examiner present.

Prior to taking the driving exam, you’ll need to take at least 32 hours of lessons at a driving school and have passed the theoretical part of the test. Before you enrol with a driving school, make sure it is a government-licensed driving centre. Choose from a list of certified driving schools across Portugal.

Once you have completed your course with a driving school, you can apply for a registration form for a driving license and the practical driving exam.

If you don’t speak Portuguese, your Embassy may accredit an interpreter, who will be allowed to attend your exam and translate the driver license test in Portuguese.

Older drivers in Portugal need to undergo medical and psychological examinations when renewing the validity of their Portuguese driving license at ages 50, 60, 65 and 70, and drivers older than 70 must take a revalidation test.

Replacing a Portuguese Driver’s License:

If you lose or damage your Portuguese driving license or need to change your personal details, you can apply for a replacement by providing the following documents:

• An IMT form
• A photocopy of your passport or ID card
• Two colour photographs.

Portugal Driving Authority:

IMT – Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes
Av. das Forças Armadas 40, 1649-022 Lisbon
T: + 351 217 949 000 |  E: imt@imt-ip.pt | W: www.imt-ip.pt

Source: Expatica.Com