exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Jan 5th 2021, 9:38 am
#196
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 666
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Note....unable to make any contact with IMT at all, all websites for branches now `under construction`..........never get a reply from hone call or jibberish and left hanging not knowing what is going on, until after 5 mins pphone goes dead, same at SEF main phones.......opless
Jan 5th 2021, 10:38 am
#197
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Location: Algarve
Posts: 92
Jan 5th 2021, 10:41 am
#198
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Location: Algarve
Posts: 92
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Do I understand it correctly that once you have made the application and paid and sent your driving licence to IMT, with no clue as to when you will receive the actual licence, that with the document received in return that that only permits you to drive in Portugal?
And therefore does not cover you to drive in UK?
If correct, apart from not returning to UK until received, is there a way around it?
And therefore does not cover you to drive in UK?
If correct, apart from not returning to UK until received, is there a way around it?
Jan 5th 2021, 10:49 am
#199
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Joined: Mar 2014
Location: East Algarve
Posts: 1,003
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Jan 5th 2021, 11:08 am
#200
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,712
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
And this is the problem for those like me that want/need to go back to the UK where you need to be able to drive your own car parked up there, fully insured, having taken out residency and therefore as in my case have until end March to make the exchange. Yes I could start the process now but then am in limbo until I receive a Portuguese licence, and who knows when that might turn up.....and in the meantime cannot drive in any other country....added to covid conditions in both countries being dire.
Crazy rules drive me mad
Crazy rules drive me mad
Jan 5th 2021, 11:10 am
#201
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 475
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Pre-Brixit I considered the IDP as a belt and braces thing, especially when driving in Far East. But in Europe too. As we know from our encounters with bureaucracy, one official/cop can interpret the rules differently from another. (And bear in mind that for anyone driving in Spain, a different IDP is required than for most other EU countries: the 1949 version. If you go to a post office for the IDP in the UK, they should ask if you intend to drive in Spain)
Jan 5th 2021, 11:10 am
#202
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,712
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
On a more enlightened note, just received a Cert of Cornformity from Vauxhall, for my UK motor, in case I decide to bring the superb car for retirement to Portugal.
Supplied free of charge and done with a smile.........big up Vauxhall Motors
Supplied free of charge and done with a smile.........big up Vauxhall Motors
Jan 5th 2021, 11:12 am
#203
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,712
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Pre-Brixit I considered the IDP as a belt and braces thing, especially when driving in Far East. But in Europe too. As we know from our encounters with bureaucracy, one official/cop can interpret the rules differently from another. (And bear in mind that for anyone driving in Spain, a different IDP is required than for most other EU countries: the 1949 version. If you go to a post office for the IDP in the UK, they should ask if you intend to drive in Spain)
And I guess a green card as well now
Jan 5th 2021, 11:14 am
#204
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2020
Location: Algarve
Posts: 92
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
I applied 1st Oct the day the process went online and had it all completed in less than 8 weeks. I was expecting a nightmare having read the tales of others but it was a breeze. So, yes, very lucky indeed. This was Faro btw.
Jan 5th 2021, 11:52 am
#205
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Joined: Mar 2014
Location: East Algarve
Posts: 1,003
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
We applied on 1 Aug 20 before the online process had been invented. We had appointments at IMT Faro and handed over everything they asked for, including Form D737 from the DVLA which they said they didn't need. How can the same office staff perform so differently? I can guess but I don't understand the system. I have emailed them but get no reply.
Jan 23rd 2021, 10:13 am
#207
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 475
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
When one has exchanged a UK licence for a PT one and then wishes to drive back in the UK- a rental or family car - what will be necessary - just an IDP issued from here in Portugal?
Jan 23rd 2021, 11:11 am
#208
Polished expat
Joined: Jul 2014
Location: Arcos de Valdevez "Onde Portugal se fez"
Posts: 16,844
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Driving in the UK
If you have a non-UK licence
Visitors with a non-UK driving licence can drive in the UK. You do not need an international driving permit (IDP).
If you have a non-UK licence
Visitors with a non-UK driving licence can drive in the UK. You do not need an international driving permit (IDP).
Presumably the same applies to people who are not citizens but are residents and licence-holders of those countries.
Jan 23rd 2021, 12:24 pm
#209
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 475
Re: exchanging driving licence - where and when to make appointment?
Visiting the UK as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
Presumably the same applies to people who are not citizens but are residents and licence-holders of those countries.
Presumably the same applies to people who are not citizens but are residents and licence-holders of those countries.
Jan 23rd 2021, 12:37 pm
#210
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Location: Arcos de Valdevez "Onde Portugal se fez"
Posts: 16,844