The articles written by the PÚBLICO Brasil team are written in the variant of the Portuguese language used in Brazil.
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Yes, the Brazilian National Driving License (CNH) is valid in Portugal. Since September 2023, a bilateral agreement eliminated the need for residents in Portuguese territory to exchange their document for a Portuguese license.
It is important to highlight that the Brazilian driver’s license, which can be digitalis only valid in Portugal as long as it is within the original validity period, and only categories A and B are recognized in the European country. For other license categories, you will need to obtain a Portuguese license.
If the Brazilian driver’s license has expired and the person lives in Portugal, the tip is to get the Portuguese home straight away. To avoid inconvenience, anticipate the expiration date and request the conversion. Other important points: the Brazilian driving license cannot be issued for more than 15 years and the driver must be at most 60 years old.
For those who are touring Portugal and intend to rent a car to explore the country, it is important to find out about all the requirements with the chosen rental company. In general, everything is very easy and many people already come from Brazil with everything figured out.
The Brazilian driver’s license is not valid in all European countries. Each country has its own traffic rules, which includes recognizing foreign driver’s licenses. Therefore, before traveling, check the website of the embassy or consulate of the country you are going to and check the traffic rules. You can’t be too careful.
If you are going to drive in Portugal for a longer period of time or if you need a license for categories that are not equivalent to the Brazilian driver’s license, the rule is to ask for a Portuguese driving license. The requirements are: be a resident in Portugal; be at least 18 years old; have physical and mental fitness to drive; and pass theoretical and practical driving exams.
The documents required are: passport or Portuguese Citizen Card; taxpayer number (TIN); medical certificate of physical and mental fitness to drive; Brazilian driver’s license (if possessed); and proof of residence in Portugal.
Paths to be followed
The first step is to register with the IMT (Institute of Mobility and Transport), which can be done online or in person at one of the public service locations. The second stage is carrying out exams. The theoretical is done online and the practical, in a vehicle of your choice.
But pay attention to deadlines. The total time of the process varies according to the availability of the interested party to take the exams and the demand at IMT’s public service locations. In general, the process can take two to four months to complete.
There are different factors that influence the schedule, such as the category of the desired portfolio. The more complex ones, such as C and D, may require more time for driving lessons and exam preparation. In the case of additional driving lessons, the candidate will need to use an accredited instructor. The number of classes required varies depending on skills and learning pace.
Fees to be paid
The total costs for obtaining a Portuguese driving license can vary significantly, but generally include the following items: application fee, which varies according to the category of license desired; medical examination, the cost of which varies depending on the location where it is carried out — generally, it is between 30 and 50 euros (R$ 180 and R$ 300). Each driving lesson can cost between 20 and 35 euros (R$120 and R$210).
Exam fees vary depending on the category of license desired. Check the IMT website for updated values. Other costs involve teaching materials and license issuance fees. Always consult an accredited driving instructor or driver training center to check all values. After passing the exams, the Portuguese driving license will be sent by post to your home.
Portuguese wallet
The Portuguese driving license is also accepted in Brazil, as long as it is within its validity period. For those who have a Portuguese document and wish to exchange it for a Brazilian one, the process is similar to that of obtaining their first driver’s license, as they will need to present the same documents and take theoretical and practical driving exams.
Driving with an expired Brazilian driver’s license in Portugal is considered a serious offense, with a fine of up to 350 euros (R$2,100) and vehicle retention. Driving with an expired Portuguese license in Brazil is also considered an infraction, with a fine and retention of the license by Brazilian authorities.
Portugal follows the points system on the driving license. The driver starts with 12 points and, if he doesn’t have a fine for three years, he gets 15 points. It is possible to reach 16 points if, when renewing your license, you take a road safety course. Each infraction removes points from the license: serious infractions remove two to three points; very serious; 4 to 5 points; and road crimes, six points. An example of a road crime is driving with more than 1.2 grams of alcohol per liter of blood or under the influence of drugs. In addition to losing six points, it could result in a sentence of up to one year in prison. If the number of points is reset, the driver will be unable to drive for two years and, after this period, the process must begin again, with a theoretical and practical exam.
In Brazil, instead of losing points, the driver accumulates them when committing traffic violations. The maximum number allowed is 19 points in 12 months. When reaching 20 points, the document is suspended. All points are accumulated for a period of one year. That is, the validity is 12 months according to the date of infringement. Once this period is completed, the points expire.
