exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Dec 3rd 2020, 11:19 am
#136
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Location: Porto
Posts: 53
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
How long did it take for others to receive a further contact from IMT after receiving the initial auto-response “we have your email and will process it as soon as possible”? Just getting a little concerned that I initially heard from IMT again within 24 hrs of my first auto-response - when they advised I needed to send again all docs as PDF - but it is now nearly 2 weeks since I sent it again and received another auto-response. Does this match others’ experience?
Dec 3rd 2020, 12:22 pm
#137
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Dec 3rd 2020, 3:03 pm
#138
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Location: Algarve
Posts: 92
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Started the online process 1st Oct, received request for €30 about 2 weeks later, then received appointment for biometrics 2 weeks after that, 2 weeks after that I received my temp licence with a request to send my actual UK licence to Porto. About 2 weeks later I had brand new Pt licence in my hand. All in all less than 8 weeks. Very smooth process but I appreciate not everybody is having the same experience.
Dec 3rd 2020, 4:25 pm
#139
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Location: East Algarve
Posts: 1,000
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Started the online process 1st Oct, received request for €30 about 2 weeks later, then received appointment for biometrics 2 weeks after that, 2 weeks after that I received my temp licence with a request to send my actual UK licence to Porto. About 2 weeks later I had brand new Pt licence in my hand. All in all less than 8 weeks. Very smooth process but I appreciate not everybody is having the same experience.
Dec 4th 2020, 7:15 am
#140
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Location: Algarve
Posts: 92
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
It seems to depend on so many variables that we have no control over, like who handles it, which office, which person in same office handles it and goodness knows what else. I do think it is a very difficult time for IMT offices, working through the pandemic and with an increased workload and backlog and of course the transition deadline. They haven’t really managed to get on top of it all and probably won’t for a while yet. At Faro the IMT was very busy and the queue outside large, noisy and uncomfortable. I’m glad its all over for me.
Dec 4th 2020, 7:27 am
#141
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Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
I used an agency (Gracy Biss) to renew mine early April. I only received a two-month paper. It was about to run out so I phoned Gracy and she said I had till the end of the year. A couple of weeks later my plastic one arrived, end June. Conversely, my friend renewed his in June and he received his in two weeks. Both at Faro. 
Dec 4th 2020, 7:57 am
#142
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Joined: Jun 2020
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Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
I thought it was just a big backlog. But from Geronimo's experience there seems to be more to it.
Seven weeks waiting now, with nothing....
Seven weeks waiting now, with nothing....
Last edited by suiko; Dec 4th 2020 at 8:00 am.
Dec 4th 2020, 8:08 am
#143
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Joined: Feb 2020
Location: Algarve
Posts: 92
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
I used an agency (Gracy Biss) to renew mine early April. I only received a two-month paper. It was about to run out so I phoned Gracy and she said I had till the end of the year. A couple of weeks later my plastic one arrived, end June. Conversely, my friend renewed his in June and he received his in two weeks. Both at Faro.
Dec 4th 2020, 8:14 am
#144
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Location: Algarve
Posts: 92
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Its just how it is here, even getting residency, the process can vary from office to office and even between the different staff handling the paperwork in the same office. You just have to roll with it, stressing and worrying don’t help. If you’ve got some proof that you’ve started the process and taken all reasonable steps then its all you can do. You can always contact the UK embassy in Lisbon and see if they can help, it would at least be an official response on the matter.
Dec 7th 2020, 12:15 pm
#145
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Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
For anyone who is still to exchange their licence and to have their medical check - I have just used the service I asked about above and it was fantastic! (That is, if - as the Dr assured me - IMT now immediately have my Atestado Médico Electrónico in their system awaiting my exchange application). It was so quick and easy - so long as you have a device that can make video calls - didn’t have to leave the house, easy to book, Dr spoke brilliant English. Just took the number of my residence certificate, asked about current licence categories, asked about any ongoing conditions/medications I have, and whether I use glasses/lenses. Gave me a quick eye test using a chart that appeared on my screen. Then emailed the Atestado to me to check for accuracy whilst on the call, then he pinged it to IMT.
if anyone books a video consultation with them, to exchange your licence choose the video consulta + Atestado only option at 29€ - the more expensive option is only for renewing existing PT licences and includes them applying to IMT for the client, not available for licence exchanges.
if anyone books a video consultation with them, to exchange your licence choose the video consulta + Atestado only option at 29€ - the more expensive option is only for renewing existing PT licences and includes them applying to IMT for the client, not available for licence exchanges.
The three other 3 services range from €19 to €49 (this latter for a psychological and mental health assessment).
When one clicks through, it becomes €49 for this service , it seems, for the driving picture option; the others being for sports, professionals .
Dec 7th 2020, 9:58 pm
#146
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Posts: 218
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Could you supply the link to this service for the fee of €29 please? On the home page it states this fee for the medical attestation., under 'choose your video consultation' presentations.
The three other 3 services range from €19 to €49 (this latter for a psychological and mental health assessment).
When one clicks through, it becomes €49 for this service , it seems, for the driving picture option; the others being for sports, professionals .
The three other 3 services range from €19 to €49 (this latter for a psychological and mental health assessment).
When one clicks through, it becomes €49 for this service , it seems, for the driving picture option; the others being for sports, professionals .
Dec 8th 2020, 11:56 am
#147
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 475
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Looks a bit different from when I used it. 29€ was a special offer for bookings by end Nov but full price was less than 35€ - I think - for the consulta and atestado, and then there was the 49€ option also inc support with the IMT process. At the time they advised by email that the IMT support was only for renewing and not for exchanging foreign licences, as one can only do that oneself. Looks like they may have now made it one price fits all, whether you can use the IMT support or not. Maybe worth dropping them an email [email protected] see if they still do consulta and atestado only.
Dec 8th 2020, 12:26 pm
#148
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 218
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Must say, though, even at 49€, I would still have gone with it rather than using my local centro de saude or a private clinic, even if it was a touch cheaper. This was much less hassle all round.
Dec 8th 2020, 2:24 pm
#149
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Location: East Algarve
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Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
We had no hassle getting our medical at our local private clinic with our doctor. It cost €30 and the certificate was uploaded to the system straight away.
Dec 9th 2020, 11:18 am
#150
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Joined: Oct 2018
Location: Obidos
Posts: 298
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Just a further heads up to IMT changes.
Previously you went to the local office...
Due covid they took the step to move to online applications...
Now they've closed the usual telephone numbers and moved enquiries to a premium rate number (due to demand).
Office staff not too happy as they claim the government has wanted to do this for many years enabling they to make job cuts but staff refused whilst holding a position of strength. Unfortunately they lost that strength during this pandemic.
Previously you went to the local office...
Due covid they took the step to move to online applications...
Now they've closed the usual telephone numbers and moved enquiries to a premium rate number (due to demand).
Office staff not too happy as they claim the government has wanted to do this for many years enabling they to make job cuts but staff refused whilst holding a position of strength. Unfortunately they lost that strength during this pandemic.