Can I keep my US Driver's License

Hi Cyntia,

Using a US driver's licence in Portugal: (translation required)

https://www.imt-ip.pt/sites/IMTT/Portug … acoes.aspx

To buy a car in Portugal you need to have a residence permit and a fixed residence in Portugal. The insurance must have an address in Portugal.

Best Regards

@JohnnyPT

I'm pretty sure this info is out of date (as of last summer) and you now no longer need to transfer a US license to a Portuguese license when you're a resident.

@Nac25,

You are quite right. You are well informed. It wasn't my fault but the IMT website is out of date...

BUT

This authorisation only applies to driving on Portuguese territory and with some conditions, like age limit, as you are not exchanging a foreign licence for a Portuguese one, which allows you to drive in EU countries, for example.

Here is a link from the Portuguese government:

https://eportugal.gov.pt/noticias/carta … m-portugal

We've been in Portugal less than a month and are still awaiting our D7 visas, however, we did buy a car already and obtain insurance pretty easily. We have US driver's licenses. All we needed was our passports, NIF and money to buy a new car (probably a local address helped). Someone recommended Fidelidade insurance and that was the best although we did shop around. Our insurance came through on the same day they called us to pick up the car so it worked out great. We couldn't get the Via Verde card for the rolls right away because didn't have an ATM card. It came last week though so we'll tackle that this week.

@JohnnyPT The age limit is being strictly followed. I am over 60 years old and  IMT made me take the medical and psych tests. Another friend who is over 60 just renewed her license and was also required to take the psych test before IMT would renew the license.

Holy Cow, over 60 and  you need a psych test!

I could recommend that for many people who are younger than me....

@JohnnyPT

English translation of the website in the link is "Under construction"

It's ok now:

https://eportugal.gov.pt/en-GB/noticias … m-portugal

I'm not sorry I did not die young...but I'm over 60 so psych test

physical

plus driving school? Then written test and practical test?

Can I have the written and practical tests in English?

@Ricktark1,

Some answers here regarding Classes and tests in English and Electronic medical certificate:

https://eportugal.gov.pt/en/servicos/ti … e-conducao

@JohnnyPT thank you for your help! I will try to open and read all about it, tonight.

Muito obrigado.

The psych test story from https://eportugal.gov.pt/en/servicos/trocar-carta-de-conducao-estrangeira-por-portuguesa:

a favourable psychological assessment certificate issued by a psychologist (for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E and DE, as well as B and BE in the case of ambulances, fire engines, vehicles for school transport, patient transport, collective transport of children and hire cars).

I.e., the psych test requirement applies to everyone who wants to be licensed to drive these special categories - heavy vehicles, ambulances etc.

I can't find a government page that clearly addresses the age related requirements in the exchange case, but maybe it's the same as for revalidation of the Portuguese license, for ordinary not-so-heavy vehicles:

Os condutores de veículos das categorias AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B e BE, ciclomotores e tratores agrícolas devem revalidar a carta de condução: [... various ages at which revalidation is required ...]

A partir dos 60 anos, é preciso apresentar um atestado médico para fazer a revalidação da carta. Depois dos 70 anos, é preciso apresentar um atestado médico, que pode ser pedido a um médico, e um certificado de aptidão psicológica (CAP), que pode ser pedido ao Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT) ou por um psicólogo.

Here the psych test isn't required until 70 years.

@donn25 I am over the age of 60 and applied one month ago for a Portuguese license. I was contacted by IMT with a list of requirements one of which was the psych test. I have now complete the psych test and have it ready for submission.

@donn25 The psych test is being asked for anyone 60 and over when you exchange your driver's license. IMT sent me their outline of what they want.

@busyboy50 I saw your earlier post on this point.  In both you state that you're over 60, but in neither do you clarify whether you're under 70.