$700.00
Description
Driver’s License in Portugal
All licenses issued in the European Union are accepted.
Driver’s licenses from non-EU countries (except Switzerland) are accepted if you have a visa in your passport and at the time of hire have not been in Europe for longer than 6 months. Longer than that, you need to get a driver’s license from an EU country.
If your domestic driver’s license is printed with non Roman Alphabet (Arabic, Japanese, Cyrillic etc), an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) or an official translation in English is required when you drive in Portugal. Please note that an International Driving Permit (often referred to as an International Driving Licence) does not replace the requirement for a regular driving licence. And you must carry your current overseas driver’s licence, IDP or translation with you all the time when driving in Portugal.
To drive in Portugal, the driver must present a valid national driver’s license that has been held for at least 1 or 2 years (according to different car rental company).
Tips
Some Portuguese car rental companies require you to have a photo ID license. If your foreign licence does not have a photo ID, you should get an IDP before travelling to Portugal if you intend to rent a car. UK drivers with the new-style photo card licence will need both the paper counterpart and photo card. UK licence holders who have a paper license only will also need an official photo for identification when driving in Portugal.
Age Requirement
To rent a car in Portugal you must be at least 19 years old (age may vary by car category). Each car rental company has its own age requirements and a deviation from the minimum age is possible depending on the vehicle. If you’re 19-25, you are likely to have to pay a young driver fee.
*Attention! Some car rental companies would have different requirements. Please check Terms and Conditions during the booking process.
Portuguese driver’s license for European citizens: How it works, where to get it
When is it necessary to obtain a Portuguese driver’s license? What do you need to do to have a Portuguese license? Here is all you need to know about this document which is crucial to getting around in the country.
Even though there is public transport in most of the country, a driver’s license is still essential. But obtaining a driver’s license can be a lengthy process. You need to take at least 28 driving lessons, plus 32 classes and sit two different tests, the highway code test and the driving test.
Any citizen is entitled to get a driving license, provided he or she fulfils the legal requirements: minimum age (see table below), physical and mental capacity and residence in Portugal. The Portuguese Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) is the competent authority for issuing driver’s licenses.
Do you have an EU driver’s license?
European Union and European Economic Area (28 EU States + Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) driver’s licenses are valid in Portugal until they expire. If you possess one, exchanging them is optional.
If you move to Portugal you must inform the regional or district Service of the IMT of your area of residence. Failure to do so within 60 days could be considered an infraction. This information can be relayed in person, with the following documents:
- Model 13 IMT form;
- Photocopy of your driver’s license, the original of which must be shown;
- A valid form of ID and proof of residence permit in Portugal.
If you have a lifelong driver’s license, after informing the IMT of the fact that you are living in Portugal, the document you will be given – the National Residence Registry for Drivers with an EU license – is valid for two years. At the end of this period you must exchange it for a Portuguese driver’s license.
Necessary documents and requirements for exchanging your license
If you plan to exchange your driver’s license for a Portuguese one, you must fulfil the following requirements:
- Be of the minimum age required by Portuguese law for the category of your license;
- If necessary, provide proof of physical, mental and psychological fitness;
- Provide proof or residence in Portugal;
- Proof that you are not subject to a driving prohibition, or to any security measures limiting the issuing of a driver’s license.
In order to exchange your driver’s license for a Portuguese one, you must personally present several documents:
- Your original, valid and definitive driver’s license;
- ID and proof of residence in Portuguese territory;
- A document bearing your tax number;
- A certificate, from any practicing doctor, for all-category drivers.
Your new driver’s license will be mailed to the Portuguese address you indicated when you put in your replacement request.
How much does the exchange cost?
Exchanging your European Union/European Economic Area driver’s license costs 30€.
Guide for obtaining a Portuguese driver’s license
A driver’s license certifies only that someone possesses the ability to drive the vehicle they intend to drive. Each category of vehicle is subject to distinct rules.
These are the most important categories in Portugal, with the respective minimum age.
| Category | Vehicles | Minimum age |
| AM | Mopeds and motorcycles with under 50 cm³ of engine capacity | 16 |
| A1 | Motorcycles up to 11kW power with an engine capacity between 50 cm³ and 125 cm³ and AM category | 16 |
| A2 | Motorcycles up to 35 kW power, and AM and A1 categories | 18 |
| A | Motorcycles with over 35 kW power and AM, A1 and A2 categories. | 24 or two years of A2 driver’s license |
| B1 | Heavy Quadricycles (microcar) | 16 |
| B | Licht vehicles; A1 category vehicles for people over 25 or who also have a motorcycle driver’s license | 18 |
| BE | Light vehicles with a trailer | 18 |
How to pick a driving school
Picking a high quality driving school is important. Make sure the school is insured and pay attention to the following details:
- price range;
- minimum number of classes;
- available timetables;
- flexibility for changing classes and possible consequences;
- criteria for passing the driving test.
How much can a Portuguese driver’s license cost?
The cost of training to obtain your driver’s license varies among different driving schools and according to the category of vehicle you are aiming for. We advise you to compare different options and to pick the one with the best quality/price relationship.