The Highway Code has been changed! The objective is to allow driving in national territory, of motor vehicles, by holders of driving licenses issued by countries that are party to bilateral conventions or agreements with Portugal.
All permits that allow driving in Portugal must be valid and, with the new rules, cannot be seized, suspended, expired or revoked. The diploma takes effect on August 1.
Foreign, CPLP and OECD driving licenses
According to the LexPoint Portal, holders of driving licenses issued by Member States of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as well as international driving licenses and driving licenses issued by foreign States under conditions of reciprocity, now have the possibility to drive in Portugal.
The new rules exempt CPLP and OECD drivers from exchanging driving licenses, as is the case with holders of driving licenses issued by member countries of the European Union, and allow non-residents to drive in Portugal with their licenses during about six months.
Thus, as of 1 August, driving titles issued by other OECD or CPLP Member States are valid for driving motor vehicles in addition to a driving licence, provided that the following cumulative conditions are met: (NEW)
- the issuing State is a signatory to one of the conventions referred to in the following subparagraph or
- a bilateral agreement with the Portuguese State;
- no more than 15 years have elapsed since the issue or last renewal of the security;
- the holder is under 60 years of age.
You non-residents in Portugal can drive motor vehicles in the country during the first 185 days following their entry into the country, provided they are: (NEW)
- driving licenses issued by a foreign State in accordance with the International Geneva Convention of 1949,
- or with the Vienna International Convention of 1968;
- driving licenses issued by a foreign State under conditions of reciprocity;
- international driving licenses presented with the national title that supports them.
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