Buy the IMT Driving License
If you are a non-EU national and you are new to Portugal, you should exchange your foreign driving license as soon as is possible. If you don't do it, your license may be confiscated or cancelled.
To complete your exchange, you'll need to submit the following documents: an ID, a completed IMT Modelo 13 form, and proof of residence. You may also require a medical exam.
Cost
The cost of buying the IMT driving license varies based on whether you choose to take the theory test in person or online. In person, the test is EUR15 and lasts 30 minutes. It is comprised of 30 multiple-choice questions and covers the syllabus you've learned in preparation classes. The test is available in Portuguese or English. The IMT website lists private centers that provide this exam.
The IMT also provides an online service for replacing stolen or lost drivers' licenses. The website allows citizens register their request for a digital certification. You can then present the certificate at a police station and receive a replacement license within 8 weeks. In addition, you may submit your request to an IMT desk in person. You'll need an ID document like a citizen card or taxpayer number, passport or residence permit and a completed Modelo 10 IMT form.
After you have moved to Portugal it is essential to exchange your foreign driving license to the Portuguese driver's license as soon as you can. This will help you avoid massive fines if your foreign license is lost or stolen. Also, you should obtain your new Portuguese license before the validity of your current one runs out.
You can make your request online or in person at a IMT office. However the in-person visit is more common for complex applications which include the exchange of foreign licenses. In-person meetings can require additional documentation, such as an original foreign license translated or a copy of the license from your home country.
In contrast to other countries, the US has no central driving license database. It could take IMT longer to verify your driver's license. You can avoid this issue by asking IMT for an extension of your temporary paper driver's license in the event that it is soon to expire.
The process of changing your US driver's license to one in Portuguese one can be a bit confusing and time-consuming. You should prepare all the necessary documents prior to visiting an IMT office and you must bring cash in the event that the office doesn't accept credit cards. A good tip is to download an app called SIGA on your phone which will inform you how many people are being handled and how long you'll have to wait.
Requirements
You can exchange a foreign driving license for the Portuguese license without the need to pass the Portuguese driving test. The process is lengthy. You may need to arrange your documents, but you will also need to attend preparation classes and pass the theory test either at IMT or privately. You must have completed 32 hours of lessons in the classroom and 28 hours of theory in order to be eligible for a driving test. The lessons are conducted in government-approved centers. You can find the list of these centers on the IMT website. The duration of the classes is dependent on your availability as well as your progress.
To exchange your foreign license You will need to present an abstract of driving records from the state where you resided the last time in the United States. The document must be stamped or apostilled to be valid when included in your application to IMT. The embassy can authenticate this certificate for you. You can bring the certificate to your IMT appointment in person.
You can apply online or at an IMT office close to you. Comprar carta de condução da categoria A is easier and less stressful. You'll need an identification document, such as your taxpayer number or citizenship card, in order to submit an application. If you're exchanging a foreign license, you'll also need your passport or resident permit.
The IMT has a new service that allows drivers to request a duplicate driver's license online. This new service can save time and money, and it is much more convenient than visiting an IMT office in person. The IMT created a portal that lets drivers upload their documents and even provide a picture.
The institute also provides the possibility of receiving an automatic notification when it is the right time to renew your driving licence. Besides that it also informs you of the IMT also informs you about the expiration date of your driving license and how to renew it.
Time frame
The process of getting your driver's license in Portugal is a long process. The IMT can take as long as 30 days to process your request and can take even longer if you apply during peak periods. You are able to drive while you wait using your driving license issued by a foreign country or temporary permit.
You can track the status of an application online and follow the progress of an application. However certain applications require a personal visit. In some cases you can submit the necessary documents directly from your country of origin. This can make the process much quicker.
If you're applying to exchange your EU driver's license, you must make the change as soon as you can. This will protect your license from being lost or stolen while you wait for it to be processed. It is also important to get an Portuguese license prior to travelling abroad. The IMT will not be able to replace your EU license if it is lost or stolen in another country.
After you've submitted your application, you'll be required to take a medical exam. This is a simple exam to determine if you're mentally fit enough to drive a vehicle. This test does not include stress tests or blood tests and therefore should be easy to pass. The IMT website contains a list of approved physicians for this test.
Once you have passed your medical test then you can begin preparation for both the practical and theory exams. The theory exam can be taken at the IMT or an examination center that is private, but you must have completed your preparatory classes prior to taking the exam. The practical test can be taken independently or as a part of the theory test. If you decide to take the practical test in conjunction with the theory test be sure that you have your preparation class certificate present at the time of the test. You'll have to take the exam if you don't.
Insurance
If you are planning to move to Portugal soon, you should change your driver's license as soon as you are able to. Failure to do this could result in fines and delay in the issuance of your residence permit. It is recommended that you exchange your residence permit within 90 days.
If you're an EU resident or not, you need to obtain a Certificate of Authentication for your old license before changing it to one that is a Portuguese one. This document is available from the embassy in your country or consular services in Portugal.
You'll have to pass a medical test. Fortunately, the exam isn't as long as you may think. It's a combination of bloodwork and a check-up to make sure you're able to drive safely. A medical doctor from a network can conduct this test costing around EUR25.