wellinever

Chatted with ACP this morning about the need for UK national,but PT resident and UK resident,(dual residency) with property and vehicle in both countries, to exchange UK license to PT one.
Was surprised by the answer I got.
It went as follows....Anyone can drive on their existing license as long as they are not in PT for more than 180 days.
I asked how that could be, for a resident of PT.
The answer was the same, as long as you are only in PT for 180 days then you can keep your original (in this case) UK license.
Considering PT insurance companies insure UK residents with PT cars in Portugal then what problem is there, if one is only in PT for 180 days only in the year.
He also said that in any event all you have to do is to leave PT, and then return to UK for a short time (as in a day) and get another proof of arrival in PT to start another 6 months??
Is this correct? If not why not

cheers

morro

I am interested in the answer to this. As I have had my request to exchange my UK licence refused 3 times because of incorrect paperwork! It is the worst form that I have ever filled in!!!

BillBullock

This has been discussed at length before in other threads. The UK Embassy in Lisbon advised me some time ago that there is no such thing as dual residency as far as Portugal is concerned; you are either resident in Portugal or you are resident in the UK, regardless of whether or not you have a house in both countries. If anybody has official references that contradict this, I would be pleased to her from them.

1Steve

A new law came into force in Portugal on the 1st August where Brits officially resident in Portugal can continue to drive on their UK licence until it expires. If you are a UK tourist then the 180 day rule applies. That is my understanding and I wish I had not surrendered my licence to IMT as I am still waiting for them to do their job and give me a PT licence or return my UK one.

Red Eric

Conditions apply :

Cartas de Condução emitidas pelos países da OCDE e CPLP


wellinever is a faller at the third.

And, as a resident, he is not eligible to be treated as a tourist even if he is in the country for less than 180 days per visit.

wellinever

So Red, what would be your understanding of why there is a minimum age of 60?
Apart from the fact that they say so. For example, why not 65 or 55?

Red Eric

It's the current age at which PT license holders first have to submit to a medical after the one they undergo when obtaining their initial licence. There are renewals in between at 15 year intervals but the medical is subsequently dispensed with until age 60.

I presume that's the reason and that PT wants all 60+ year old residents on the PT schedule for renewals with medical assessment.

wellinever

thnks Red. but still have to say that it just seems like beaurocracy gone mad to me, in that a 75 year old non resident can get behind the wheel with non PT DL and drive legally for 180 days, and that is without having had any medical in the issuing country, UK in this case. It clearly has nothing to do with driving safety.

Red Eric

Probably working on the natural selection principle when it comes to doddery old tourists. They're only allowed in the country for brief periods, so they're far more likely to have their medical-conditions-related accidents in their home country.

I'll put it in the suggestion box, though. Tourists should all be subjected to a medical before being allowed to drive in PT

wellinever

Good luck with that !!!
Joking aside, the whole problem is the UK car insurers.
I like most I guess dont care whose license I drive on, PT or UK, I dont care, but unlike PT insurers, UK insurers will not accept NON residents in a policy.
Of course, if you spend more than 90 days in the UK you are classed as a resident, and insurers will accept a PT license, without penalty.
So I guess that is what I will do, if I can get my UK license exchanged before end of the year (not good start as cant get a medical until 28th November)

wellinever

As I cannot have an appointment with my Family GP until 24th November, I cannot make a new application for exchange until after that date, but even then I do not know if my CdeS has direct electronic access with IMT to register a Medical Atestado, But I see from the IMT ....TROCA DE TÍTULOS DE CONDUÇÃO ESTRANGEIROS 3.0, that I could possibly email them a copy of the hard copy of a Medical Report, along with scans of passport/driving license details....
Anyone know if this is now OK?
I am guessing that my original application, made in March 2021 (to which I received an auto reply email), but never heard anything else, did not marry up with a Medical report if my CdeS does not have direct electronic access to IMT , despite the fact that I attached a copy of the Certificate I received from my GP.
I did ask my CdeS about this and they said that medical certificates are sent digitally to IMT, but I have grave doubts about this.
Also is it possible to get the medical done at any CdeS or does it have to be my actual family GP (not private as it costs €50)
I see that you can get one done online, so I assume there is no big deal about this as they cannot properly assess you online

Red Eric

I can't imagine that any Centro de Saude doesn't have the infrastructure or capability to use the relevant IT systems.

They'd have to be doing this for PT citizens who want licences for the first time, or for those renewing at an age where they need a medical etc.

Even a private doctor can submit the necessary to the IMT.

Rambling archer

WellInever - We were told that the Centro de Saude was not necessarily connected to the ITM system and for our slightly rural one I can well believe it ... anyway we were advised to ask at the nearest Driving School as to who they use in the local town and indeed since their students have to go through the process of an official medical they had a couple of suggestions. The chap we went to seemed to do little else and was available within a week for the appointments! The "medical" is a very simple affair and cost about 40 euros each. So not a posh private clinic, not your own GP/Centro do Saude, just a specialist medic who has access to the IMT in-put system.
Hope this helps!

Red Eric

I wouldn't have thought putting multiple applications in would do anything to keep matters nice and clear.

Back in the year, it was being reported that there were already then delays of up to a year on foreign driving licence exchange requests.

wellinever

Indeed I would not want to make things more complicated that they already are.
As I said I applied in March 2021 by email, supplying all docs required including Cert of Conformity from Uk and a scanned copy of the SNS medical.
That prompted an immediate return email from Trocas, estrangeiros, confirming receipt and saying it would be dealt with `in due time`.......
But as I said, to date, nothing at all. Not even asked to send €30 or UK DL.
To do so yesterday I phoned IMT Lisbon, talked to section dealing with Exchange of licenses........yes she found my NIF number.but then went on to say that there is no record of my application !!!!!
But again, even if they found that application, now 18 months old, how would they square the fact that the Medical certificate, would have expired anyway.
So as I see it my only option is to reapply, with a new Medical (hopefully on 24th November) and at least get the application in before end of year, to avoid need to take a test.
That is after I go to CdeS in Slives to get confirmation that they are IMT connected