Driving licence renewal in Portugal
Renewing a Portuguese driving licence typically involves submitting an application, providing necessary documents, and undergoing a medical examination. The process can be done online or in person at designated service points.
It is generally advisable for individuals to begin the renewal process several months before their driving licence's expiration date. This allows sufficient time for scheduling medical appointments, gathering all required documents, and accounting for potential processing delays at the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT) or other service locations.
Start 90 days ahead
This lead time accounts for booking medical appointments, gathering documents, and the processing time by the IMT. It's prudent to start well in advance of the expiry date.
The process
- 1Verify the expiry date and any age-related restrictions or conditions on the current driving licence.
- 2Undergo a medical examination by a certified doctor, who will issue an electronic medical certificate (atestado médico eletrónico).
- 3For drivers aged 50 and above, or those in professional categories, obtain a psychological aptitude certificate (certificado de aptidão psicológica) from a certified psychologist.
- 4Gather all required documents, including the citizen card (Cartão de Cidadão) and the current driving licence.
- 5Submit the renewal application online via the IMT portal (Balcão do Condutor) or in person at an IMT service desk, Citizen's Shop (Loja do Cidadão), or other authorized service points.
- 6Pay the applicable renewal fee.
- 7Await notification for the collection of the new driving licence, which may be sent by mail or made available for pick-up.
What to bring
- Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão)
- Current driving licence (Carta de Condução)
- Electronic medical certificate (Atestado Médico Eletrónico) issued by a certified doctor
- Psychological aptitude certificate (Certificado de Aptidão Psicológica) for specific age groups or professional categories
Who handles it
Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) (Institute for Mobility and Transport)
https://www.imt-ip.pt/web/portal-de-servicos/revalidacao-da-carta-de-conducao
The fee for renewing a Portuguese driving licence varies depending on the applicant's age and the timing of the renewal. There is also a cost for the medical examination and, if required, the psychological aptitude certificate. Specific fees should be confirmed on the IMT website or at a service desk.
What commonly goes wrong
- Ensure all medical and psychological certificates are submitted electronically by the health professionals; paper versions are generally not accepted.
- Different renewal periods and requirements apply based on age and the categories of vehicles driven (e.g., professional drivers).
- Renewing significantly after the expiry date may incur additional fees or require a driving test.
- Applicants should confirm if their citizen card's data (e.g., address) is up-to-date, as the new licence will reflect this information.
Sources
Other documents in Portugal
Driving licence renewal in other countries
Often renewed together
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