Learner drivers to learn with ‘mum and dad'

@TGCampo

They still have to pass the test.

Who can be a driving instructor (tutor)?

The role of driving instructor is subject to strict criteria. Only those who meet the following requirements may serve in this role:

1. Have held a Class B driver’s license for at least 10 years.
2. Have no history of traffic offenses or serious violations.

...

The "tutor" role is one of the changes. But there are others, such as:

1. The written exams can now be taken in foreign languages.
2. All new drivers are subject to a 2-year trial period, with stricter limits on traffic violations and alcohol.

...

https://www.guiadoautomovel.pt/noticia/ … ao-de-2026

"This measure aims to address the lack of practical experience that often leads to accidents in the first few years after obtaining a driver’s license, by allowing students to practice in real-world and varied settings without the financial pressure of the hourly cost of traditional lessons."

"The tutor may not receive any payment for teaching, as this is an activity based exclusively on personal or family cooperation."

"Before being allowed to drive with a tutor, the student must complete several legal requirements. The student must have already attended and successfully completed the classroom instruction, and, as for the practical training, must have completed a minimum of twelve hours of driving and covered at least 250 kilometers with a certified instructor."

"A blue and yellow sign bearing the word “TUTOR” must be displayed, visible on the front and rear of the vehicle. Driving is limited to national territory, and there are significant geographical restrictions, such as a total ban on driving on highways or similar roads. In addition, the instructor must be aware of their legal responsibility, since, for the purposes of traffic violations, they are liable for the student’s actions and must also ensure that the vehicle’s insurance explicitly covers this."

@JohnnyPT

As usual, these are all good points. I wonder why only the written exam can be taken in other languages. I could pass the written exam in Portuguese, but a driving teacher or examiner with some accent would spell trouble.

Overall it is always good to push cost down as much as reasonable.

Exams:

Translation for the Theory Test: You can request a translation of the theory test into more languages, beyond portuguese and english.

Practical Test with an Interpreter: During the driving test, you may be accompanied by a translator or interpreter, or even take the test with an examiner who is proficient in your language.

It seems to me that all these measures already existed for English (lessons and exams). Now they have been extended to more languages, and the practical test can be taken with the support of an interpreter for any language.

@JohnnyPT

That's great and much better than in many other EU countries. I had read about people having difficulty finding English language driving schools and exams, but if that's no problem anymore, great!

In the UK there's a similar system where a learner may drive when the passenger holds a full licence (there are rules) this has been the case for many years. Usually the learner starts lessons with a driving instructor in a driving school car till they get the basics then get driving practice in a private car with a licence holder in the passenger seat. The arrangement works quite well, driving instructors tend to be booked for months a head and presently the first available driving test dates are November so a couple of lessons a week for 20 + weeks - someone I know in the UK failed their test last week and each driving school lesson was about €80 so about €3000 if just using driving school from now to test date.

@Strontium

To legally supervise a learner driver in the UK, the passenger must meet the following criteria:Be at least 21 years old.Have held a full driving licence (from the UK, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein) for a minimum of 3 years. Be qualified to drive the specific type of vehicle being driven (e.g., must hold a manual licence if the learner is driving a manual car).Not be banned from driving.In addition to these supervisor rules, the learner driver must ensure the vehicle is fitted with valid L-plates (or D-plates in Wales) and hold valid insurance.

@Strontium

Actully most people learn from their parents the basics of driving in the UK providing they drive of course. Then they go on to driving schools or instructors to pollish up their driving skills. They do this to save on money because its so expensive to learn how to drive.

Of couse they do have to follow the rules which I outlined in my above comment.