Get a driving license
To drive a vehicle on public roads, you must be legally qualified, i.e. you must have a driving licence.
You can obtain a licence to drive a car from the age of 18. There are different categories of driving licence, depending on the vehicle you wish to drive. As a rule, anyone over the age of 18 who has no physical or mental impediments can obtain a licence.
Who can get a driving license?
When can you get a driving license?
You may get the driving license of light-duty vehicles from 18 years old. There are different minimum ages for other license’s categories.
From 16 years old
Category | Allows to drive |
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AM |
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A1 |
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B1 |
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Category | Allows to drive |
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A2 |
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B |
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BE |
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C1 |
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C1E |
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Category | Allows to drive |
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C |
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CE |
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D1 |
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D1E |
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Category | Allows to drive |
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A |
If they have had the A2 category license for 2 years, they may get the A category license before 24 years old. |
D |
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DE |
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What are the documents and requirements to get a driving license?
- Portuguese Citizen Card or identity card. If you have foreign nationality, submit one of the following documents:
- temporary or permanent residence permit issued by the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF)
- temporary or permanent residence card issued by the SEF
- passport + a study, work, temporary stay or residence visa, issued by a Portuguese Consular Office, by the SEF or by other service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Portuguese Citizen Card or identity document for Brazilian citizens under the general status of equal rights and duties, provided by the Friendship, Cooperation and Consultation Treaty between the Portuguese Republic and the Federal Republic of Brazil.
- Portuguese Citizen Card or identity card. If you have foreign nationality, submit one of the following documents:
- Electronic medical certificate which certifies the existence of the physical conditions to drive. The medical certificate is sent by the doctor who carried out the assessment to the Mobility and Transports Institute
- Psychological assessment certificate and report, which prove you are psychologically able to drive. He psychological assessment certificate and report are issued by a psychologist and must be submitted by the candidate at the driving school.
How get a driving license?
To get a driver's license, you must attend preparation classes at a driving school (private companies) and take the theory and driving tests for the license's category you choose.
Not all schools allow you to take all categories of license. You should choose the one that is most convenient for you.
It is the driving school that enrols the students in the necessary exams to get the license.
Classes and tests in English
If you want to be trained and take the theory test in English, you should make that request when you register with the driving school.
As a general rule, the driving school will ask you to book the theory test with translation, which will be done at the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT) or at a private examination center. In some situations, the exam can be taken on its own, as in the case of exchanging a foreign license for a Portuguese one.
Translation of the test is only foreseen for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1 and B.
What is the Deadline to get a driving license?
Drivers' applicants do not have a minimum time limit for obtaining the license, but if:
- two years after enrollment in the driving school, have only been successful in the theoretical test (valid for one year), before the end of the validity of the two years, apply for revalidation of the qualification that allows him to receive training.
- two years after enrollment in the driving school, have not obtained the qualification, have to submit a new process, with a new medical certificate and psychological assessment report, if required, and start the new training.
What is the Price to get a driving license?
The license’s price depends on the category and driving school you pick.