How to Get a Portuguese Drivers License

One of the logistics of moving to Portugal is getting a Portuguese driver’s license, especially if you prefer driving your own car instead of using public transport. To obtain a Portuguese driver’s license, you’ll need to attend driving school, pass a highway code exam, and complete a practical driving test.

If you have a valid foreign license from an EU/EEA country and are under 60, you might not need to exchange it for a Portuguese one. If you are a non-EU resident, you can drive in Portugal for up to 90 days with your foreign license before needing to exchange it.

In this article, we’ll cover all the steps for how to get your Portuguese driver’s license and whether you are eligible to use your current driver’s license.

Getting a Portuguese Driver’s License

While the public transport in Portugal is very good and relatively cheap, it is much more practical to drive a car so that you can get around easily, especially if you live in or visit places that are difficult to reach by bus or train. 

A Portuguese driver’s license (carta de condução) is a European Union standard license, meaning it has the same characteristics as other EU licenses. 

Portugal driver’s license cards are printed on a piece of plastic that has the size and shape of a credit card and contains all the information regarding the identity of the driver and the type of vehicles they can drive.

Here, we will provide you with everything that you’ll need to know about getting your hands on your Portuguese driver’s license. 

Who can get a driver’s license?

As long as you fulfill the following requirements, you are eligible to get a driver’s license in Portugal:

• Be 18 years old or older
• Live in Portugal for at least 185 days
• Comply with the physical, mental, and psychological conditions required
• Not be prohibited, by a court or administrative authority, to drive
• Not hold a driver’s license of the same category from another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway

If you do hold a driver’s license of the same category from another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway, you must:

• If the license is valid – you may use it in Portugal. You must, however, inform IMT within 60 days that you reside and drive in Portugal.
• If the license has expired or is in a different category – request the exchange of your license for a Portuguese license.

Portuguese driving license types

Portugal has four broad categories of driving licenses, each further split into subcategories, which are made available at different age levels. 

You can find a brief overview of the categories below, and further information about which licenses are available at which age on the Portuguese Government’s website. 

• Category A: Covers all motorcycles, including mopeds, scooters, tricycles, and motorbikes of all engine sizes
• Category B: For light-duty vehicles such as standard cars, vans, and some small motorcycles and quadricycles under certain conditions, as well as light-duty industrial machines
• Category C: For heavy goods vehicles like large trucks and lorries used for transporting cargo, and also
  agricultural or forest tractors with a trailer or semi-trailer
• Category D: For heavy-duty passenger vehicles such as buses and minibuses

Portugal driving license requirements and documents

To obtain a driving license, you must provide the following documents:

• A Portuguese Citizen Card or an identification card. If you are a foreign national, you must submit one of the following:
• Temporary or permanent residence permit or a temporary or permanent residence card issued by AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum). Our article about how to get Portuguese residency shows the process of securing a residency permit. 
• Passport and a study, work, temporary stay, or residence visa that is issued by AIMA, the Consular Office, or another service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• For Brazilian citizens, you will need a Portuguese Citizen Card or identity document (from the general status of equal rights and duties by the Friendship, Cooperation, and Consultation Treaty between Portugal and Brazil).
• A Portuguese tax number (Portugal NIF number)
• National Health Service (SNS) number
• Electronic medical certificate (atestado médico IMT). This certifies that the driver is physically able to drive and must be sent by the certified doctor who made the assessment to the Mobility and Transport Institute. 
• Psychological assessment certificate and report, issued by a psychologist, which shows you are psychologically able to drive. This must be submitted by the candidate to the driving school. 

How and where do you get your driver’s license in Portugal?

To get a driver’s license in Portugal, you must enroll in a certified driving school, where you’ll take preparation classes and complete both a theory and practical driving test for your chosen license category. 

Not all schools offer every type of license, so it’s important to choose one that meets your needs. The school will handle exam registration for you.

Taking Your Portuguese Driving License Test: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Enroll in a certified driving school
As mentioned, the process starts with enrolling in a government-licensed driving school. The school should offer the necessary preparation for both the theory and practical exams. You will just need to ensure that the school you choose offers training for the license category of vehicle you plan to drive. 

Step 2: Complete required lessons
After enrollment, you must complete 28 hours of classroom-based theory lessons and 32 hours of practical driving instruction. These lessons are taught by qualified instructors and must be taken at a certified driving center. How long this takes depends on your availability and how quickly you progress.

Step 3: Take the theory test (exame de código)
Once you’ve finished your theory classes, you’ll take a theory exam consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 27 correctly to pass. It costs €15 at a public IMT center or up to €110 at a private examination center.

Step 4: Begin practical driving lessons
After passing the theory test, you can begin practical driving lessons on the road. These lessons help you build real-world driving skills and confidence behind the wheel. Your instructor will guide you through everything needed to prepare for the practical exam.

Step 5: Take the practical driving test
When you’re ready, you’ll take the practical test, which lasts around 40 minutes. The exam starts with a short check of your knowledge of the car, followed by a supervised drive with an examiner. You can make up to 10 minor mistakes. The test costs around €30 at a public center and up to €120 at a private one. If you don’t pass, you’ll need to retake it and pay again, and some schools may also require additional lessons.

Step 6: Receive Your Driving License
After you take your test, you will find out straight away if you have passed. If you have, then you will need to pay €30 for the issuing fee. 

After successfully completing both tests, your school will help you complete the final steps with the authorities.  Following this, you will receive your Portuguese license at your address within 8 to 15 days.

How much does it cost to get a Portuguese driver’s license?

The cost of getting a Portuguese driving license depends on the vehicle category, the driving school, and your location, typically ranging from €375 to €920 (though, some driving schools may charge more, or you may need additional lessons at an extra cost).

As mentioned above, the costs for the tests are as follows, depending on which center you complete the exams:

• Theory test: €15 at a public IMT center, or up to €110 at a private center
• Practical driving test: €30 at a public center or up to €120 at a private center
• Possible extra charges for additional lessons and retaking tests if required

Prices tend to be lower in areas like Greater Lisbon and Funchal, while regions such as Évora and Braga are usually more expensive.

Driver License Portugal: Navigating the Language Barrier

Unfortunately, for expats living in Portugal, the language barrier will make it difficult to get a Portuguese driver’s license. While some driver’s schools offer lessons in English, both the theory and the practical test will be done in Portuguese.

If you prefer to study and take the theory test in English, request this at the time of enrollment. Translated theory tests are only available for certain categories and are usually arranged through the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT) – the main responsible authority for driving licenses in Portugal – or an approved private exam center.

It may be a good idea to try doing all the training in Portuguese, if you can. This way, you will be able to get to grips with the language and traffic-related terms while learning to drive. Although difficult, it is a possibility. English is widely spoken in Portugal and if you have a friendly driving instructor, you may even get some Portuguese lessons while driving.

What is the deadline to get a driver's license in Portugal?

There’s no fixed minimum time to get a driver’s license in Portugal, but there is a maximum deadline. If you haven’t completed the full licensing process within two years of enrolling in driving school, your progress may expire.

If you’ve only passed the theory test by then (valid for one year), you must apply for revalidation before the two years are up to continue training. If you haven’t passed any part of the process within two years, you’ll need to start over completely, including submitting a new medical certificate and psychological assessment if required.

Using a Foreign Driver’s License in Portugal

If you have moved to Portugal with a foreign driver’s license, the good news is you may not have to replace it immediately, depending on which country the license is from.

If you have a license from a non-EU/EEA country, you can generally drive in Portugal for up to 90 days. However, it’s a good idea to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP), especially if your license isn’t in English or Portuguese. After that, you’ll need to exchange it for a Portuguese one.

The specific requirements for exchange depend on the country of origin and may involve submitting a copy of your foreign driver’s license, a driving record, and potentially an apostille from your state of origin, along with the standard required documents:

• ID
• Portuguese residence permit
• NIF tax identification number
• Psychological assessment certificate
• Medical certificate

To exchange your foreign driver’s license, you’ll need to fill out the appropriate online form (based on your home country), wait for IMT confirmation, and attend a desk appointment to register and collect biometric data.

US citizens driving in Portugal

If you are a US citizen, driving in Portugal with an American license is allowed for 185 days. After this time period, you will need to have Portuguese residency. You will have 90 days to exchange your license without having to take a driver’s test in Portugal. During this time, you will still be able to drive.

However, after 90 days you will no longer be able to drive in Portugal. However, thanks to a bilateral agreement between the US and Portugal, you are still able to exchange your US license without needing to complete a driver’s test for the following two years.

UK citizens driving in Portugal

You need to carry your UK driving licence with you, but you do not need to have an international driving permit (IDP) to visit and drive in Portugal. You will need to show your valid and current license, ID, evidence that you have valid car insurance, and proof of ownership of the vehicle, such as the V5 registration certificate.

EU citizens driving in Portugal

If you have a valid driver’s license from an EU/EEA country, you might not need to exchange it for a Portuguese license, provided you meet certain conditions. For example, you must still meet Portugal’s age requirements, and the license must still be valid.

You may use the license in Portugal until its expiration date, after which point you must exchange it for a Portuguese driving license. However, you must notify the IMT within 60 days of becoming a resident in Portugal.

Driver License Portugal: Renewals

In Portugal, a driver’s license is valid for 15 years and must be renewed every 15 years until you turn 60. After that, you must renew it every five years until the age of 70, and then every two years. 

You are not required to retake the driving test at any age, but starting at age 60, you must submit a medical certificate with your renewal. It’s recommended to begin the renewal process up to six months before your license expires.

You can renew your license either online or in person at an IMT office service desk. Online renewals cost €27 if you’re under 70 and €13.50 if you’re over 70. In-person renewals cost slightly more: €30 for drivers under 70 and €15 for those over 70.

Documents required for license renewal 

• Citizen card
• Taxpayer number (NIF)
• Identification document or residence permit
• Current driver’s license
• Medical certificate (if age 60 or older)

Replacements for Lost or Stolen Driver’s Licenses in Portugal

If your driver’s license is lost or stolen, you must first report it at a police station. You can then request a replacement either online through the IMT website or in person at an IMT service center. 

Only residents of Portugal with a Portuguese-issued license, Portuguese citizens, or individuals living outside the EU/EEA who hold a Portuguese license are eligible to request a replacement.

Documents required for a replacement:

• Valid identification document (citizen card, passport, or residence permit)
• Taxpayer number
• Completed and signed Modelo 10 IMT form

Online requests require registration on the IMT website using your NIF number and password. The fees are the same as for renewals. After submitting your request, you’ll receive your new license in 8 to 10 days, along with a temporary permit to drive while you wait.

Driving in Portugal

You can travel from the North to the South of Portugal in less than a day. This is a testament to the size of the country. However, do not think that the relatively small size translates to a lack of variety in landscapes. From mountains (Serra da Estrela) to beaches with stunning rock formations, to green rolling hills, Portugal certainly will not disappoint.

And with spectacular landscapes across the country, driving is not just a way to get from A to B. You can enjoy widespread views of the Atlantic, vineyards spreading for miles in every direction, and quaint, picturesque villages.

Each will have its own traditions, special cuisines, and local customs. Indeed, if you live in Portugal, you will be sure to experience some beautiful locations on the road.

Renting a car in Portugal

Renting a car in Portugal is relatively cheap when compared to other countries. Prices will vary depending on the part of the country that you are in and the type of car you rent. Also, remember to factor in whether it’s tourist season when renting a car, as this can increase the price significantly. A way around this is to book the car in advance.

Prices can start as low as €10 per day in off seasons, though the average price will be higher in major cities like Lisbon. The cheapest prices tend to be listed as weekly rentals with the same pick-up and drop-off location.