Driving Licenses In Portugal 

As a temporary visitor to Portugal, you generally do not need a Portuguese driver’s license (up to 6 months). During this time, it is usually possible to drive with an International Driving Permit or an EU Driving Permit.

However, if you want to immigrate to Portugal, the requirements change when you obtain a Portuguese residence permit. After that, certain nationalities have a period of time during which they have to specially apply for a Portuguese driver’s license. Other nationalities, such as EU citizens, can drive without a Portuguese license but must be registered with the Portuguese Transport Authority.

This guide tells you who needs a driver’s license in Portugal, who can exchange for a driver’s license in Portuguese, and who needs to take a driver’s license test in Portuguese. There is also information on the general road traffic rules in Portugal and the process of importing a car into Portugal.

Who Needs A Portuguese Driver’s License?

You must be 18 years or older to drive a car in Portugal. As a temporary visitor, you can use a valid international driver’s license for up to 6 months. Using a driver’s license after this date without obtaining a Portuguese driver’s license can result in heavy fines. There is a cost to obtain an International Driving Permit when driving as a visitor, although this is not required in all cases.

However, conditions change when you move to Portugal and obtain permanent residency. EU/EEA licenses are actually valid until they expire. If you have a non-EU driver’s license, you may be eligible to obtain a Portuguese driver’s license.

Exchange Of Driver’s License In Portugal: For EU Driver’s License

If you have moved to Portugal and want to continue to use your main international driver’s license, contact the Instituto da Mobilidade within 30 days of receiving your residence permit. Notify e dos Transportes (IMT).

You can continue to use your EU driver’s license until it expires. If he does not notify the IMT that he will be using the old license card, he could be fined heavily.

However, it may be worth exchanging your Portuguese driver’s license for an EU driver’s license. This is a significant expense as only the organization that issued the license can replace the license if it is damaged, stolen, or lost. In some cases, this can cause problems. For example, if you have a UK license, DVLA will not renew or exchange your license abroad.

When registering for the replacement of a Portuguese driver’s license, the following list of documents must be submitted.

• Identity document (passport)
• NIF document from Finanças
• Current driver’s license from home country
• Copy of medical certificate from a doctor
• €30 cash (no foreign cards accepted, but Portuguese accepted)

If the original license is from outside the EU and will be required In practice, you may have a certificate of authenticity from the department that issued the original license (e.g., a 90-day period). Please be aware of this situation as the end is approaching with permanent driving licenses; in order to obtain a license, you will need to renew your Portuguese driving license two years after you change your official residence.

Portuguese Driver’s License: For Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU driver’s license holders can drive in Portugal with a foreign driver’s license for a limited period of time. How long you can use your existing license depends on where you’re from.

If your country is part of an international road transport agreement, usually, this must be exchanged with the non-EU driver’s license within 185 days of residing in Portugal.

We assume that you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, South Africa, or the United States. In this case, you can use your driver’s license for six months before exchanging it for a Portuguese driver’s license.

When exchanging a US driver’s license in Portugal, US citizens must request an excerpt of their last country of residence driver’s license and a medical certificate proving that they are fit to drive.

Australian licenses do not have an expiry date printed on them, so you may need to obtain documentation from the Australian authorities confirming the start date of your license.

If you have already exchanged your foreign driver’s license in another country, you are free to use your EU driver’s license.

You can see how the driver’s license exchange works for citizens of your country on the

IMT website.

Portuguese Driver’s License Test

If your foreign driver’s license is about to expire or you have never had one, you must pass the Portuguese driver’s license test. The Portuguese driver’s license exam usually consists of three parts technical, theoretical and practical.

Theory – 30 questions in 35 minutes (passed: 27 out of 30 questions)

Technical Exam – 50 minutes

Practical Exam – 40-50 minutes Instructor and Examiner.

You must receive at least 32 hours of instruction at a driving school prior to your driving test. You must have completed the theory portion of the exam. Before enrolling in a driving school, make sure it is a state-accredited driving school. Choose from our list of accredited driving schools throughout Portugal.

After completing the course at the driving school, you can apply for a driver’s license and take a driving test.

The embassy can accredit an interpreter to translate the driving test into Portuguese if you do not speak Portuguese.

Older Portuguese drivers are required to pass a medical and psychological examination when renewing their Portuguese driver’s license at the ages of 50, 60, 65, and 70, and drivers aged 70 and over are required to pass a renewal test. Must pass.

Portuguese Driver’s License Replacement If you have lost or damaged your primary Portuguese driver’s license or need to change your personal information, you can request a replacement by submitting the following documents.

• IMT Form
• Copy of passport or ID card
• Two color photographs.

General Traffic Rules In Portugal

• The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts.
• Both foreign and Portuguese driver’s licenses are required.
• TÜV, TÜV, and vehicle insurance confirmation are also required.
• It may be helpful to have your passport in case you accidentally stop.
• Always carry warning triangles and safety vests.
• You should give way to traffic on the right. The green lanes of the Freeway may only be used with a unique electronic toll collection system.
• It is illegal to carry a can of gasoline in a car.
• When a car flashes its headlights directly, it means it wants a priority. This is the opposite of how it works in some other European countries.

Portuguese Speed ​​Limits

Fines for traffic violations may be imposed where police may demand immediate payment in cash or credit card. Fines range from €300 to €2,500 depending on speeding and zone, with higher fines in urban areas.

urban areas – 50 km/h

country roads – 90 km/h

highways – 120 km/h; at least 50 km/h

Portuguese Traffic Signs And Signals 

• There are sharp turns, narrow roads, and deer crossings.
• An exclamation point means no hazard has been identified, and special attention should be paid.
• Mandatory signs are blue circles, while informational signs are usually rectangular.
• A white or blue round sign with a red circle and a diagonal cross means no parking.
• A list of Portuguese road signs can be found here.

Drunk Driving In Portugal

Drunk driving in Portugal carries significant fines. The drunk driving limit is 0.49 g/l. Crossing the border can result in a fine of €1,250 and the confiscation of your Portuguese or international driving license for up to one year. Anyone crossing the far border will face double the fine, from a lengthy driving ban to a one-year prison term.

Importing A Car Into Portugal

Importing, registering, and driving a car from your home country into Portugal can be a complicated process depending on where you are bringing the car from. Whether or not you have to pay import duty on your car depends on several factors. We, therefore, recommend that you check his website at Portal das Finanzen to see what import taxes you need to pay. You should also ensure that your vehicle complies with Portuguese road standards.

Once you have received your residence card, you must register your foreign vehicle in Portugal. When registering a car, it is necessary to submit the tax payment certificate issued by customs, the original proof of purchase, a copy of the foreign registration certificate, and the Technical Competence Certificate (IPO) issued by an IMT Authorized Service Center. 

Some Rules Apply When Importing A Car Into Portugal

If your car does not have a European license plate, please place a country of origin sticker on the back of your car.

If you are driving a car that is over three years old, please carry your valid car insurance card, registration documents, and MOT certificate.

Not only must you pay the annual road tax and insure your vehicle, but you must also undergo regular IPO testing to ensure your vehicle is up to date. If the vehicle is older than four years, he should undergo this inspection every two years until he is seven years old and then every year thereafter.

If your vehicle passes the test, you will receive a report (Vinheta Verde) and a certificate with a plate. Make sure the sticker is on the windshield. However, if your vehicle breaks down, you have 30 days to make repairs before submitting your vehicle for re-inspection.

Getting A Driver’s License In Portugal

To get a driver’s license in Portugal, you must have lived in Portugal for at least 185 days. The following should also be taken into consideration:

• Driving Lessons and Exams
• Approved Driving Schools
• Driving Testing Centers
• Compulsory Medical Examinations to Demonstrate Driving Aptitude
• Validity of Driver’s License
• Form of Driver’s License.

The minimum age to obtain a driving license depends on the driving license category.

Available for purchase in class A1 from 16 years old.

motorcycle with an engine capacity of up to 125 cm³ and power of up to 11 kW (car in class AM).

And below can be purchased from he is 18 years old.

Class A2: Motorcycle

Class AM and A1 vehicles with

nominal power up to 35 kW.

Category B:

Cars, tricycles over 15 kw if the person is over 21 years old

motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of up to 125 cm³ and a rated power of up to 11 kW, if the person is over 25 years old or holds a driving license of group AM or a moped license

AM and B1 category vehicles

category I and II agricultural vehicles and light industrial machinery.

From the age of 21, it is possible to obtain a group A driver’s license:

any motorcycle, with or without a sidecar

Tricycles

AM, A1 and A2 category vehicles

If you have held an A2 category for two years, you can get a category A driver’s license before the age of 24.

There are other categories as well.

Residence requirements for foreign citizens of the European Union (EU) when applying for a driver’s license

European citizens can obtain a driving license in Portugal:

If you live in the country for at least 185 days

Suppose you do not already have a driving license of the same group obtained in another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway. If you have such a license, do the following:

Provided the license is valid, you can use it in Portugal, but you must inform the IMT (Institute for Mobility and Transport) within 60 days that you will be staying and driving in Portugal.

When the license expires or if you want a license of a different category – you must apply to exchange a foreign license for a Portuguese one.

Required Documents

To obtain a driver’s license, you must present one of the following documents.

• Temporary or Permanent Residence Permit issued by the Immigration Service (SEF)
• Temporary or Permanent Resident Card issued by the SFŽP
• Passport and Study, Work or Temporary Residence issued by the Portuguese Consulate, SFŽP, or any other government agency residency or residency visa.

You must also present the following documents:

• An electronic medical certificate certifying fitness for driving
• Psychological test report and confirmation of mental fitness to drive.
• Courses and Examinations for a Driver’s License
• A driver’s license must be obtained at a driving school.

To do this, you must attend classes and pass the road traffic rules and driving tests required for your chosen category of license.

After completing the introductory lesson, the driving school will register you for the tests required to obtain a driver’s license.

To obtain a driver’s license, you must pass a theoretical and practical test.

English Lessons And Tests 

If you want to take the English theory test, you must apply for it when you register for the school.

Driving schools usually ask you to book a theory test with translation. This test is conducted at the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT) or a private testing center. In some circumstances, the test can be taken separately, such as exchanging a foreign driver’s license for a Portuguese driver’s license.

Test translations are expected only for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, and B.

Authorized Driving Schools Maps of Portuguese driving schools are available on the IMT website. This site also provides information on training organizations accredited by the IMT to provide training courses and training organizations approved by the National Road Safety Authority to provide training.

Driving Test Centers 

You can take the driving test at IMT test centers or private test centers.

Mandatory medical examination proving fitness to drive

To obtain a driver’s license in Portugal, you must first produce an electronic medical certificate proving that you are fit to drive. The evaluating physician will send the confirmation to the Mobility and Transport Institute.

You will also need to submit a psychological report and a certificate of mental health to drive. A psychological report and certificate must be prepared by a psychologist and submitted by the applicant to a training driving school.

Driver License Validity

Drivers are required to renew their driver’s license after a certain age, depending on the type of driver’s license.

The age at which you must renew your driver’s license depends on the type of driver’s license you own and the date you obtained your driver’s license.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Renew Your Driver’s License?

Driver’s License Formats

All valid driver’s licenses used in the European Economic Area (EEA) are mutually recognized, including model driver’s licenses prior to the entry into force of relevant European legislation.

On 19 January 2013, a single European driver’s license was introduced. There are currently over 170 different driver’s license models in use in the EEA.

Driving License Recognition In Portugal

Driving Licenses Issued in Other European Union (EU) Countries: Documents and Deadlines to Respect European Union and European Economic Area (EEA – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) A driver’s license issued in the country of Portugal is valid until the expiry date indicated on the driver’s license in Portugal. However, her

driver who sets up a place of residence in Portugal must notify her IMT regional or district office of her place of residence within 60 days. Otherwise, you will face penalties. Therefore, the driver should contact his IMT and provide the following documents:

• Form 13 IMT
• Copy of driver’s license.
• Proof of identity and domestic residency.

For a lifetime license, when the driver notifies her IMT of her place of residence, her two-year management period will be entered in the issued document (community proof of domestic residence if her licensed driver). After this period, the foreign driver’s license must be exchanged for a Portuguese driver’s license.

Driving Licenses Issued In Countries Outside The EU

Driving licenses issued in non-EU countries are not recognized in Portugal. In this case, you must exchange your driving license within 185 days of acquiring your residence in Portugal (if your country is a signatory to international road traffic conventions).

To exchange your driving license from a non-EU country, go to the IMT contact desk and provide the following documents:

• a photocopy of your ID, but bring the original document for comparison purposes
• tax identification number
• medical certificate issued by a doctor for drivers of all categories
• the favorable psychological report issued by a psychologist for drivers of group 2: vehicles of categories C, CE, D, DE, categories C1, C1E, D1, and D1E, and drivers of categories B and BE who drive ambulances, fire engines, patient transport, school transport, and car rental cars
• a statement issued by the issuing authority or diplomatic or consular office confirming the authenticity of the driver’s license, the date of issue, and the relevant validity for the categories of vehicles you are authorized to drive with the relevant dates and restrictions, and that the driver’s license was obtained by passing a driving test
• a translation of the driver’s license certified by the consular office of Portugal or another Member State in the relevant country if the driver’s license is not issued in Portuguese, French, English, or Spanish.

If you have previously exchanged a driving license issued by a non-EU country for a driving license in another EU country, you can use this license in Portugal.

Driving licenses issued in an EU country are exchanged for driving licenses issued outside the EU.

Driver’s licenses issued by the European Union and European Economic Area countries (EEA – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) are valid in Portugal until the expiry date printed on the driver’s license.

For all purposes, ID cards issued in member states of the European Union are recognized in Portugal. Once it expires, simply exchange it for a Portuguese driver’s license.

Compulsory Exchange Of Driving Licenses

Non-EU driving licenses must be exchanged for EU driving licenses.

You must exchange your driving license from a non-EU country within 185 days of being resident in Portugal (if your country has signed the International Road Transport Agreement).

Anyone with a foreign driver’s license can exchange it for a Portuguese driver’s license.

If you have ever exchanged a driver’s license issued in a non-EU country for another his EU country driver’s license, you can use this driver’s license in Portugal.

When exchanging a driver’s license issued by a foreign country that has not signed the International Convention on Road Traffic, the holder must also pass the driver’s license test for each group held. However, you do not need to register for a driving school, and you can register for the exam yourself. Drivers holding a driver’s license issued by a country that has not signed the International Convention cannot drive in Portugal.

The exchange of a foreign driver’s license for a Portuguese driver’s license without the need to pass driving tests, but requires drivers to apply for the exchange within two years of the date of establishment of their residence in Portugal, can be requested in several situations:

Countries with which Portugal has concluded a bilateral agreement or maintains a reciprocity agreement (Brazil, Switzerland, Morocco, Andorra, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, United Arab Emirates, and Angola).

Countries that are signatories to international conventions on road transit – holders of driving licenses issued by foreign states in accordance with Annex 9 to the Geneva International Convention of 19 September 1949 on Road Traffic or Annex 6 to the International Vienna Convention of 8 November 1968 on Road Traffic operation

Driving licenses issued by Portuguese authorities in Macao or the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Holders of the above driving licenses are authorized to drive motor vehicles in Portugal for the first 185 days after their entry into Portugal, provided they are not permanent residents.

You can simulate changing your driver’s license.

Renewal or exchange of a driving license in another Member State

Driving license renewal: requirements for citizens of EU member states

Driving licenses issued by countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA – Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) are valid in Portugal until the expiry date indicated on the driving license.

However, drivers who set up residence in Portugal are required to inform the regional or district office of the Institute for Mobility and Transport (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes, IMT) of their place of residence within 60 days; otherwise, they will be in violation.

In the case of a perpetual license, a two-year administrative period (proof of residence in the country of the driver with the community driving license) is entered in the issued document after the driver declares his/her place of residence to the IMT. After this period, the license will be exchanged.

If a driver’s license issued by a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area has expired and its holder resides in Portugal, the expiry date shall be subject to the provisions of the Portuguese law on national driver’s licenses that can be extended.

Age Requirements For Renewing Validity Of Group A, A1, A2, And B Driver’s Licenses

The age at which a driver’s license must be renewed depends on the type of It depends on when you got your certificate.

A driver’s license cannot be renewed more than six months in advance.

It is imperative to extend the license validity period within the specified period. Driving without a valid driver’s license will result in a fine. After this period, if he has passed more than two years without renewing his license, he must take a driving test to obtain a new license.

Extension Of Driver’s License Validity

Driving with an expired driver’s license is a traffic violation even after the expiration date. After driving for two years without renewing your driver’s license and up to five years, you must take a driving test.

A driver’s license will be canceled if it is not renewed within five years. The owner of a revoked driver’s license is considered unfit to drive for all legal purposes.

Compulsory medical examination to prove driving aptitude You must present your license. Health certificate after 60 years old. Additionally, if your driver’s license has restriction 137 (timely medical examination required), you must always provide a medical certificate. A Certificate of Psychological Competence (CPC) is required only if your license has a limit of 138.

If your driver’s license belongs to Group 2 (heavy vehicle), you must always present your medical certificate and CPC at the time of renewal. If a CPC is required; it must be scanned and submitted when submitting an online claim. If a doctor’s certificate is required, it will be sent to IMT by email from the issuing doctor.

Documents EU citizens must present when exchanging their driver’s license The following documents must be presented when exchanging their driver’s license.

Physician-Issued Electronic Health Cards For All Classes Of Drivers

Positive psychological reports from group 2 driver psychologists: C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, and DE vehicles, and ambulance, fire B, and BE drivers who drive cars, patient transport, school transport, rental cars.

Exchanging a foreign driver’s license for his EU driver’s license

A person with a foreign driver’s license can exchange it for a Portuguese driver’s license.

You will need to submit the following:

• full driver’s license
• identification document proving residence in Portugal (any identification document issued by the Portuguese state, except a passport)
• an electronic medical certificate issued and sent by an IMT doctor via the Internet, required for all categories of licenses
• a statement issued by a counterpart (foreign licensing entity) or consular authority confirming that the license is authentic and stating:
• date of issue and expiration of the license
• categories of vehicles the driver can drive, with validity dates and restrictions for each category
• if your license is not written in Portuguese, Spanish, French, or English, you must also have the license translated into Portuguese, certified by the Portuguese embassy or consulate (or another member state of the European Union) in the country where the license is issued
• if your license includes Group 2 categories, you also need a Certificate of Psychological Competence (CPC).

Documents and requirements for non-EU citizens when exchanging a license

When exchanging driving licenses issued by foreign countries that are not signatories to the International Conventions on Road Traffic, holders are also required to pass a driving test for each group held. Enrollment in a driving school is not mandatory, and drivers can apply for the test themselves. 

Drivers who hold licenses issued by countries that are not signatories to international conventions are not allowed to drive in Portugal and are required to exchange these licenses.

To obtain a Portuguese driving license by exchange, the following conditions must be met:

• have a valid and full foreign driver’s license
• have reached the minimum legal age required by Portuguese law for the category in which you are authorized to drive
• physical, mental, and psychological fitness, if necessary
• residence in Portugal
  Not on the basis of a prohibition or ban on driving or under a security measure prohibiting driving or the issuance of a driver’s license.

The following documents are required to issue a license:

• original valid and full driver’s license
• proof of identity and proof of residence on the territory of the state
• Tax identification number
• electronic medical cards issued by a doctor for drivers of all categories
• a favorable psychological assessment certificate is issued by a psychologist for group two drivers, a statement issued by the issuing authority or diplomatic or consular office confirming the authenticity of the driver’s license, the date of issue, and the relevant validity for the categories of vehicles you are authorized to drive with the relevant dates and restrictions, and that the driver’s license was obtained by passing a valid driving test a translation of the driver’s license certified by the consular office of Portugal or another Member State in the relevant country if the driver’s license is not directly issued in Portuguese, French, English, or Spanish.

Who Can Get A Driving License In Portugal?

The General Age Requirements (A, A1, A2, And B)

While living in  Portugal, people under the age of 18 cannot obtain a standard B driving license for light vehicles; 16-year-olds can obtain Article B1, AM, and A1. The B1 license applies to large four-wheeled vehicles, so-called microcars. The A1 license applies to motorcycles with a maximum of 125 cm2 and a maximum power of 11 kW. Article AM ​​refers to mopeds of 50cc or less.

From the age of 18, he can obtain an A2 or B and get a driver’s license. A Group A2 driver’s license is valid for motorcycles with an output of up to 35 kW and for vehicles of classes AM and A1. 18-year-olds can also get a category B license for light vehicles and a BE license that includes a trailer.

A class A license can be obtained for motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of 125 cm³ or less and a rated output of 11 km or less if you have obtained a class A2 driver’s license for at least two years or have reached the age of majority. 

Portuguese Driving School

If you are new to driving, to get your license in Portugal, you will have to take practical and theoretical lessons and pass two tests which I will explain later. This can be done at an accredited driving school in Portugal.

If you don’t speak Portuguese, a translator may be able to translate the test into your language.

A medical certificate must be obtained prior to enrollment in the driving school and can take up to 2 weeks to process. 

Portuguese Driver’s License Test

By law, you must drive at least 32 hours in a driving school to pass the driver’s license test. Before the practical exam, you must also pass the theoretical exam. Passing the theory exam requires at least 28 hours of theory and 16 hours of hands-on practice.

However, theory tests can be booked upon request if you are ready. Driving school gives you a theory book on everything you need to know called “Codigo de Estrada”. After class, you will be asked to practice for the exam online. The

theory test requires you to answer 30 multiple-choice questions in 35 minutes and gives you only three incorrect answers (Pass: 27 out of 30). This exam is typically more complex than the others.

The practical exam is 40 to 50 minutes. You are never alone in the car while the examiner evaluates you. An instructor and another tester are also on board.

In addition to demonstrating that you can drive safely, we encourage you to avoid parallel parking and sidewalks.

If you pass the driver’s license test, the examiner will notify you whether you passed or failed. Then pay a small bill for the issuance of your driver’s license. You will receive this within a month. You can drive immediately with a provisional license.

If you fail the test, you will have to pay the registration fee for the test (approximately 90 euros).

Foreign Driver’s License For Portugal

Driver’s licenses from non-EU countries are not accepted in Portugal. Must be exchanged within 185 days of obtaining permanent residency in Portugal.

The procedure to exchange a foreign driver’s license for a Portuguese driver’s license is a simple alternative to getting a new Portuguese license. You can apply online and have to pay a small fee of less than €40.

The following documents are required:

• Copy of identification card
• Tax ID number
• Medical certificate issued by a doctor
• An excellent psychological report issued by a psychologist of the Group 2 driver
• Driver’s license certified by the Portuguese Consular Service Translation 

However, in order to exchange some driver’s licenses from certain countries in Portugal, it is necessary to pass a practical test.

Driver License Expiration

The expiration date of a driver’s license depends on its category. For the Group 1 driver’s license, which includes the categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, and BE, the driver’s license is valid for 15 years until he reaches the age of 50. It expires every five years from age 60. Expires every two years from age 70. The

Group 2 license covering categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, and De expires every five years between the ages of 40 and 65. If you are 68 years of age or older, you must renew your driver’s license. From age 68, renewal is required every two years.

Renewal Of Driver’s License

When your driver’s license expires, you must renew it. This can be done online at the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT), an IMT counter, or a civil office.

If doing this online, he will log into the IMT using his tax identification number (NIF) and financial portal password.

If a Certificate of Psychological Competence (CAP) or medical certificate is required, these must also be presented.

When renewing a driver’s license locally, you must present the driver’s license in exchange for your ID (or NIF and ID number or residence permit).

Online renewal of driver’s licenses up to 70 € 27, 70 to 40 can renew online. €30 for under 70s and €15 for over 15s.

A medical certificate or certificate of mental health (CAP) is required in the following situations:

• Group 1 Light Vehicles (M, A1, A2, A, B1, B, BE): 60+ or ​​Driver’s License has a required limit of 147.
• Group 2 Heavy Vehicles (C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE): Always

(Basic) Portuguese Road Safety Regulations

Let’s take a look at the Portuguese Road Safety Basic Regulations. The list is quite long, but the rules are basically the same as in other European Union countries.

Cars drive on the right, and other cars can only pass on the left

Vehicles already on the roundabout have (or have) priority

If there is no stop sign or traffic light at the intersection, vehicles coming from the right have priority

They must not cross white or double-white lines

Must stop at traffic lights or red lights even if no one is coming

Mobile phones can only be used in hands-free mode

Seatbelts Mandatory

Speed ​​Limits

Speed ​​limits in Portugal vary by location, but there are three main speed limits.

50 km/h in a residential area, 90 km/h on a

country road, 120 km/h on a

highway

If the speed limit is neither of these three, it will be indicated by a white and blue sign.

Learn To Drive In Portugal

In Portugal, you can take driving lessons in Portuguese or English.

Driving school lessons in Portuguese are usually cheaper than lessons in English. An all-inclusive Portuguese course costs €300-400, and English costs twice as much.

This is a detailed story of a foreigner’s actual experience on a driving course in Lisbon. According to them, the total cost is €830 (this is from 2019 to 2020) and includes 28 hours of theoretical time and 32 hours of practical work, plus all exams and medical reports are included.

Missed or failed exams will incur additional charges

If you do not pass the practical exam, you will need to book another 8 hours of lessons before your next exam.

A medical certificate is also required before the lesson starts. Driving schools usually have a doctor who issues this report.

driver’s license

two passport photos

NIF

medical certificate

driver’s license test history

To get a driver’s license in Portugal, you have to pass two exams, a theoretical one and a practical one.

First, you must pass a theory test. The theoretical part is intended to help you understand the road traffic regulations in Portugal.

Passed the theory test with a score of 27 out of 30. Journey time is typically 30 minutes.

BomConductor is a website (albeit in Portuguese) that helps you practice for your theory exams.

After passing the theory exam (and completing a certain number of driving lessons), you can register for the practical exam. The practical exam typically lasts 40-50 minutes.

After completing the internship, a driver’s license in Portuguese must be issued and sent to your home address for a fee of EUR 30. This usually takes about three weeks.

Renew your Portuguese driver’s license

Your Portuguese driver’s license must be renewed every ten years until you turn 60. After, you must renew every five years until you turn 70. Every two years thereafter.

What Kind Of Driving-License Do You Need In Portugal?

For most people, a Category B is sufficient for everyday driving.

However, the B+E category is required for towing caravans, semi-trailers, etc. To obtain a BE License, you must already hold a valid Class B License.

Frequently Asked Questions: Obtaining A Portuguese Driver’s License

Is A Portuguese Driver’s License Valid In The UK?

Yes, a Portuguese driver’s license is valid in the UK. Under the regulations, anyone with a valid driving license issued in their home country can drive in the UK for at least 12 months on an international driving license. How long is the

Is A Portuguese Driver’s License Valid?

The Portuguese driver’s license is valid for ten years up to the age of 60. Each passport is then valid for five years until she is 70. After that, it is applied every two years and lasts for life.

How Long Can You Use A Foreign Driver’s License In Portugal?

If you have a foreign driver’s license issued outside the EU and EEA countries, you can only drive in Portugal for the first 185 days. If you want to drive in Portugal for an extended period of time, you will need to exchange your foreign driver’s license for a Portuguese driver’s license.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Portuguese Driver’s License?

You must drive at least 32 hours at an accredited school before taking the driving test. You will also need to pass a theory test to understand the Portuguese road traffic rules before starting the class.

Summary

Driving while in Portugal is one of the best ways to explore the country and enjoy maximum freedom and flexibility.

This article has described the steps necessary to exchange a foreign driver’s license for a Portuguese driver’s license.

Also examined the process of learning to drive in Portugal from scratch, including theoretical and practical tests.