Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Hello, I have managed to finally book a driving medical to exchange my UK licence for a Portuguese one, but wanted to check whether an eye test is also required?


Many thanks guys,

Jules

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Normally if you only wear glasses

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Thanks Loafing, that helps. I don't as a matter of fact.

Thanks

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Mine did, but that may be because my license still wrongly says I need glasses (had laser surgery some time ago)

I had the medical online during lockdown, so the eye test consisted of the doctor showing an eye chart on my laptop screen (3ft in front of me...) and confirming that I could read it ;)

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

It very much depends on your doctor. Mine just asked me if I wear glasses for driving (as I wear them all the time, we had a bit of a laugh about that) then asked which categories I wanted.

My husband had to read off an eye chart, but he had a different doctor.

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

My husband and I (don't wear glasses for driving) were required to get an eye test as well as a medical.

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Juleskitoo - when you say you've finally managed to book a driving medical, can you explain the reason behind the delay?

Is it because there were simply no appointments available at your GP surgery, or something infrastructure related behind the whole process? I like to know because if it's admin / infrastructure related then much more forward planning will be needed by me. Obviously if it is personal then just say personal will be sufficient. Thank you.

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

And in addition, once you've submitted all the paperwork, how was the new Portuguese license received? Was it sent via the post or you had to go to their office to collect it?

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Delivered to your door by registered post

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Sent to our PO Box, no signature required.

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

I had an category upgrade to my PT license a year ago, and they gave me a temporary card.
The new license will come by post they said.

Maybe someday, maybe...

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

When I exchanged mine a couple of years ago I had to have a psychological report for my class for slightly heavier vehicles (cant remember the class) as I got my license in the '80s
Then it turned out that the official online simulation was wrong and I couldn't keep that class anyway
The doctor also sent me for an eye test and blood tests ....
so, I think it may be a case of YMMV

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Ah, yes, that's a good point. I was going to get the psychological test in order to keep some of the classes above B but then discovered that this is only possible if you actually passed a separate test for those categories. If you just got them "for free" in the UK after passing the car test then you can't keep them

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Just to add - we had our Medical for driving licence exchange done today (south Central PT) - no eye test. Questioned me - yes I wear glasses for driving but have contract lenses in at the moment - no eye test. Questioned SHMBO - no glasses for driving, just for close reading - no eye test. So not quite sure what he uses the eyetesting board up on the wall for ...
Otherwise the test was just a chat about any diseases we might have, what tablets we might be taking, and filled out the form and sent it off to IMT.
He gave us a Certificate in case anyone should need to see it or if we have complications with IMT. Price 35 euros each.

Also to confirm that as before Brexit we were EU member country citizens and also allowed to keep our EU (Spanish) driving licences, as long as they were registered with IMT, and all that happened 2 years ago - although the paper from IMT says you have to revalidate (which we thought meant to get it updated to carry on til the expiry date of the licences) they actually do mean that you then have to exchange it for a PT one as resident in PT (in spite of what the EU says to the contrary!) - hence the sudden need for the Medical Exams!

We have been communicating with IMT emails and they have been remarkably quick with answers (if somewhat vague in their responses and needing clarification!). Perhaps the email queue is diminishing as Covid settles down somewhat so anyone who has longstanding business with IMT might want to try again? [email protected] was the best at answering !

Re: Driving licence medical - what's involved?
 

Question - can the medical test be done at a local government health centre, or does it have to be done privately?

If it can be done at the local government health centre, do they charge for the service? If so, then how much?