How to Buy Exchange Portugal Driving Licence

( 01/01/2013 ➔ )

Driving licence exchange in Portugal

If you are planning on obtaining a driving licence from Portugal we would be glad to help! However, doing it yourself may also be an option if you are already in Portugal. Here is some information to get you started.

Driving licences are valid until 30, 40, 50, 60, 65 and 70 and thereafter every two years, with no age limit (exception: when the driving licence was obtained between the age of 25 and 30, these drivers are exempt from revalidating their driving licence at the age of 30) for categories A and B.

Driving licences for novice drivers over 30 years are valid until:

40, 50, 60, 65 and 70 and thereafter every two years, with no age limit (exception: when the driving licence was obtained between the age of 25 and 30, these drivers are exempt from revalidating their driving licence at the age of 30); - category A
40, 50, 60, 65 and 70 and thereafter every two years, with no age limit (exception: when the driving licence was obtained between 25 and 30 years, their drivers are exempt from revalidating their driving licence at the age of 30); - category B

Driving licences for elderly drivers over 50 years are valid until:

60, 65 and 70 and thereafter every two years, with no age limit (exception: when the driving licence was obtained between the age of 25 and 30, these drivers are exempt from revalidating their driving licence at the age of 30); - category A
60, 65 and 70 and thereafter every two years, with no age limit (exception: when the driving licence was obtained between the age of 25 and 30, these drivers are exempt from revalidating their driving licence at the age of 30); years - category B

If you hold a driving licence for life (i.e. one that remains administratively valid for an unlimited period) that was issued by another EU country, you will have to to renew the licence 2 years after changing your usual place of residence.

Non-EU driving licences - exchange & recognition

You must exchange your non-EU driving licence within 185 days after obtaining residence in Portugal (if your country is part of the Road Traffic International Agreements).

To exchange your non-EU driving licence:

go to a service desk of the Institute for Mobility and Transpor t (IMT, IP)
hand in the following documents:

The original of the valid driving licence:
A photocopy of a personal identification document (showing the original);
Presentthe tax identification number;
Medical certificate issued by any doctor in the exercise of their profession, for drivers of all categories;
Favorable psychological assessment certificate issued by any psychologist in the exercise of their profession, for Group 2 drivers: drivers of vehicles of categories C, CE, D, DE, category C1, C1E, D1 and D1E and drivers categories B and BE exercising driving ambulances, fire vehicles, transport of patients, school transport and passenger car rental passenger.
Statement issued by the issuing authority or diplomatic or consular authority, attesting the authenticity of the driving licence, date of issue and respective validity, categories of vehicles that are enabled with the respective dates and restrictions and although the driving title was obtained the approval in driving test;
Translation of the driving title, authenticated by the consular service of Portugal or another Member State on the appropriate country when its content is not in Portuguese, French, English or Spanish.

If you have previously exchanged a non-EU driving licence for an EU licence in another EU country, you can use it in Portugal.

1. Model P5. The plastic card model has been gradually introduced as of 1 July 1999. From 1 July to 31 December 1999, both models P4 and P5 were issued. P: Description and security features
Model P5. Security features: Frontside: two-colour guil loche background printing with integrated microlettering (rainbow print- ing light red-red fluorescent and red-blue fluorescent); text with microlettering and flag (blue), stars and a ‘P’ (yellow fluorescent); non-visible ultraviolet print (red fluorescent); optically variable ink. Backside: Two-colour guilloche background printing with integrated microlettering (rainbow printing light red-red fluorescent and red-blue fluorescent), non-visible ultraviolet print (red fluorescent).

Physical description
Size	54 x 86 mm
Format	ID-1
Material	Plastic card issued in accordance with Directive 91/439 EEC, ISO 7810 and ISO 7816.1.
Colour	Light pink, with text in blue and black characters

Security features
Security hologram The text and driver data are personalised by means of laser engraving. The data are written between layers of polycarbonate.
Location	Front side of the licence: the EU flag and the Portuguese national coat of arms are in the upper right-hand part of the licence; the girogram overlaps with the photo of the driver. Reverse side of the licence: bottom left-hand section, under the stars and the national coat of arms
Characteristics	The blue of the EU flag comes up blue under UV light. The background of the driving licence, which is offset printed, reacts to ultraviolet light. It can be observed in front of the national coat of arms.. A transparent Diffractive Optically Variable Image Device [DID� - Girogram], featuring the Portuguese coat of arms, is inserted within the polycarbonate laminated layers. The holographic technique enables the hologram to be identified immediately; the colour shifts abruptly from red to green as the card is rotated 90�. A motif depicting the 5 shields on the Portuguese coat of arms is printed using optically variable ink (OVI), shifting from gold to green depending on the observation angle. The surface of the card is covered with "DRIVING LICENCE", written in all official EU languages.
Method of verification	Move the licence around in natural light or/and ultraviolet light.

Categories
Category	Period of validity
AM, A1, A, B1, B, BE	Until 60: 10 years; 60-70: 5 years; above 70: 2 years (*see comment)
C1, C, C1E, CE	Until 70: 5 years; above 70:2 years (** see comment)
D1, D, D1E, DE	25-65: 5 years; 65 or above: no renewal

Codes
National codes	Description	Community codes
105	Immovable windshield.	01 - Correction and or protection of vision.
103	Helmet with visor.	01 - Correction and or protection of vision.
160	Subject to possession of valid medical certificate
136	Not entitled to drive group 2 vehicles	05 - limited to mandatory subcode use, driving subject to restrictions for medical reasons.
137	Anticipated medical assessment.	05 - limited to mandatory subcode use, driving subject to restrictions for medical reasons.
138	Anticipated psychological assessment	05 - limited to mandatory subcode use, driving subject to restrictions for medical reasons.
139	Use of orthopaedic vest	05 - limited to mandatory subcode use, driving subject to restrictions for medical reasons.
140	Psychological assessment	05 - limited to mandatory subcode use, driving subject to restrictions for medical reasons.
998	Restricted to driving 3-wheel and 4- wheel vehicles	05 - limited to mandatory subcode use, driving subject to restrictions for medical reasons.
282	Service brake booster	20 - Modified braking systems.
361	Manual commands only	30 - Modified combined braking and acceleration systems
997	Suitable for Group 2
999.	Limited to a gross weight of 20,000 kg	76 - Restricted to category C vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 7,500 kg (C1), and a trailer with a maximum permitted mass over 750 kg, provided that the maximum mass of the combination of vehicles does not exceed 12,000 kg and the maximum authorised mass of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the tractor vehicle

Professional drivers
Certificate of professional competence is issued	NO
Code 95 is marked on the driving licence	NO