Traffic rulesPortugal

The Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT) is responsible for issuing Portuguese driving licences.

Examinations are conducted by the IMT or by authorised private examination centres.

Yes. A valid licence is recognised throughout mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions, subject to its categories and restrictions.

Yes. A valid Portuguese EU-format licence is generally recognised throughout the EU and EEA.

No. EU rules generally permit only one valid EU or EEA driving licence at a time.

It is the IMT platform for biometric updates, renewals, replacements and other supported services.

It is an IMT platform for viewing licence information and completing supported driver transactions.

The Balcão do Condutor allows drivers to view licence points, infringements, alerts and unpaid fines.

Supported government applications can display licence data, but the physical card should be carried when required, especially abroad.

Yes. IMT fees are regulated, while tuition, lessons, vehicle use and administration vary between schools.

The minimum age is 18 years.

The minimum age is 16 years.

No. Written authorisation and evidence from the person exercising parental responsibility are required.

Yes. The applicant must satisfy the normal-residence requirement.

Yes.

No. A current prohibition, disqualification or security measure preventing licence issue must first end.

At an authorised driving school, which registers the learner and manages training and examinations.

A valid identity document showing residence in Portugal and a Portuguese tax identification number.

Yes. An electronic medical certificate is required.

Yes, if residence, identity, age, health, training and examination requirements are met.

Yes. Fraud, impersonation or false declarations can cause refusal, cancellation and criminal consequences.

Yes.

A doctor practising lawfully in Portugal transmits it electronically to the IMT.

Yes. Visual acuity, visual field and other relevant functions form part of the medical assessment.

Yes. A harmonised code can require corrective lenses whenever the holder drives.

Yes. Codes may require an automatic transmission, hand controls or another adaptation.

No. Fitness is assessed individually and adapted-vehicle entitlement may be granted.

It is required for Group 2 drivers and in other cases specified by law or requested by the authority.

Heavy-vehicle and bus categories and certain B or BE drivers engaged in emergency, patient, school, child, taxi or rental passenger transport.

Yes.

Yes. New medical information can lead to review, restrictions, suspension or non-renewal.

Yes. Illness, medication, fatigue or another condition can make driving unsafe despite a valid card.

Yes. The learner normally enrols at an authorised school.

It is the document authorising instruction and learner driving within the official training process.

The driving school normally handles the application.

No.

An authorised driving instructor during official instruction.

No. Portugal does not use a general private-supervisor route for category B training.

Authorised schools may use legally compliant methods, but attendance and curriculum rules must be followed.

Yes. Training must cover the statutory theory and practical programme.

Yes.

Yes.

Code 78, limiting the holder to vehicles without a manual clutch.

By passing the applicable practical test in a manual-transmission vehicle.

There are 30 questions.

30 minutes.

At least 27 correct answers.

Each question has between two and four possible answers, with only one correct answer.

Yes, before the examination ends.

Traffic rules, signs, safe behaviour, vehicle responsibilities, vulnerable road users and driving risks.

Yes. The IMT makes official examination-question material available.

A candidate who lacks sufficient Portuguese can request an authorised translation under the IMT procedure.

Yes. A deaf candidate can request an accredited sign-language interpreter.

At the end of the examination through the central IMT system.

One year, during which the practical test must be passed.

Yes. The candidate can view incorrect questions under the prescribed review procedure.

Vehicle knowledge and preparation, special manoeuvres and driving in normal urban and non-urban traffic.

At least 40 minutes.

No more than five minutes of the minimum test duration.

The examiner.

Yes. The instructor normally sits immediately behind the examiner.

Vehicle control, observation, priority, positioning, speed, signalling, manoeuvres and safe independent driving.

Yes. Dangerous conduct or examiner intervention can cause immediate failure.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes, resulting in code 78 unless manual entitlement is later obtained.

Yes, subject to a new booking, payment and validity of the theory result.

Yes. A complaint about either examination component must normally be filed within two working days.

The first three years of the first driving licence.

Normally no, unless a relevant proceeding is pending.

Yes. Holders of AM, A1 or light-quadricycle entitlement can enter probation when obtaining another category.

0.2 g/L blood alcohol.

The licence is cancelled once the decision becomes final.

The same cancellation consequence applies.

The probationary licence can be cancelled.

Yes. It continues until the decision becomes final.

No general novice plate is required.

Yes, but only after the disqualification period and the required special examination procedure.

Mopeds and light quadricycles.

Normally 16 years.

Motorcycles up to 125 cm³, 11 kW and the prescribed power-to-weight ratio.

Motorcycles up to 35 kW with the prescribed power-to-weight and derivation limits.

Unrestricted motorcycles under the direct or progressive access rules.

Quadricycles.

Light motor vehicles up to 3,500 kg with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver.

A trailer up to 750 kg, or a heavier trailer where the combination remains within the category B limit.

A category B combination above 3,500 kg but not exceeding 4,250 kg.

A category B towing vehicle with a trailer or semi-trailer within BE and technical limits.

Those aged at least 25, or younger holders who already possess a valid moped entitlement.

No.

C1 covers medium goods vehicles; C covers heavier goods vehicles.

D1 covers smaller buses; D covers larger passenger vehicles.

Yes.

The Certificado de Aptidão de Motorista is the professional driver qualification for many goods and passenger drivers.

It is entered on the driving licence after the professional qualification requirements are met.

At least 280 hours.

Yes. The accelerated initial qualification has a minimum duration of 140 hours.

Yes. It must be completed every five years.

Normally 35 hours.

No.

Every 15 years from the relevant issue or renewal date.

At 60, 65 and 70, then every two years from age 70.

The first renewal is normally due at age 65.

Every five years.

D1, D1E, D and DE cease to be valid and cannot be renewed.

During the six months before expiry.

Yes, through supported IMT Online or gov.pt services.

A special practical examination is required.

The holder requests a duplicate or replacement through the IMT.

No. It follows the official record and normally preserves the existing expiry.

Yes. A valid licence is generally recognised.

No, although registration, renewal or exchange can become necessary depending on residence and validity.

Yes, when the current age, validity, convention and document conditions are satisfied.

The holder must be under 60 years old.

No more than 15 years may have passed since issue or last renewal.

Yes.

No. The issuing country, convention, agreement and categories determine the procedure.

Yes.

Yes, by the issuing authority or a diplomatic or consular service.

Yes. The IMT service portal supports the process.

12 points.

Three points can be added after each qualifying three-year offence-free period, up to 15 points.

Mandatory road-safety training is required.

The driver must take a theory examination.

The licence is revoked, and the person must wait two years before obtaining a new one.

Usually two, or three for specified aggravated offences.

Usually four, or five for specified aggravated offences.

Six.

0.5 g/L blood alcohol.

Probationary drivers and specified professional, emergency, child-transport, taxi, heavy-vehicle and dangerous-goods drivers.

This FAQ was prepared from current IMT, gov.pt, ANSR and consolidated Portuguese legislation.

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with the IMT, ANSR, a driving school, examination centre, medical provider or government service desk.

Official legislation and instructions from the competent authority always take precedence. Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.