Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
We have SWISS driving licences, having exchanged our U.K. licences for them some time ago. We missed the 90 day automatic exchange window. My wife submitted her licence for exchange in March 2019 under the old rule. Her licence was removed from her and she was given a piece of paper which says she is no longer allowed to drive. We have been waiting for her to be called for a driving test. We have been told by other SWISS holders that it can take up to 2 years to be called. When the law changed on 15th January we went back to IMT and they switched her application to the new law and gave her the paper licence which allows her to drive again. She is now awaiting the plastic licence to arrive in the post. I put my application in last week, within the two year period of having become resident in Portugal, it was exchanged for the paper licence without issue and I await the plastic licence. So if the U.K. licence falls into the group with the Swiss licence then you will have two years from becoming a Portuguese resident to make the exchange. We had not registered our licences prior to our applications.
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Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Originally Posted by Mitzi2012
(Post 12806798)
We have SWISS driving licences, having exchanged our U.K. licences for them some time ago. We missed the 90 day automatic exchange window. My wife submitted her licence for exchange in March 2019 under the old rule. Her licence was removed from her and she was given a piece of paper which says she is no longer allowed to drive. We have been waiting for her to be called for a driving test. We have been told by other SWISS holders that it can take up to 2 years to be called. When the law changed on 15th January we went back to IMT and they switched her application to the new law and gave her the paper licence which allows her to drive again. She is now awaiting the plastic licence to arrive in the post. I put my application in last week, within the two year period of having become resident in Portugal, it was exchanged for the paper licence without issue and I await the plastic licence. So if the U.K. licence falls into the group with the Swiss licence then you will have two years from becoming a Portuguese resident to make the exchange. We had not registered our licences prior to our applications.
Your's most definitely wasn't between March 2019 (when you became aware it wasn't valid because they refused your wife) and when you got your piece of paper last week. i.e. You and your wife were both treated under the new law that allows an expired (Bilateral Agreement - Swiss, or 1968 Vienna Convention - UK) driving licence to be exchanged provided it expired within 2 years of becoming resident. |
Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
The Swiss Licence was valid to drive in Portugal for six months after becoming resident. I am not sure if this still holds under the change in the law.
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Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Originally Posted by Mitzi2012
(Post 12806949)
The Swiss Licence was valid to drive in Portugal for six months after becoming resident. I am not sure if this still holds under the change in the law.
125.3 - The license holders referred to in paragraphs c), d) and e) of paragraph 1 are authorized to drive motor vehicles in Portugal during the first 185 days following their entry into the country, provided they are not residents. 125.4 - After establishing residence in Portugal, the holder of the licenses referred to in the preceding paragraph must exchange the driving license within 90 days. |
Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Could somebody please advise if I have the exchange requirements to exchange my uk license correct?
My residence permit was issued Jan 24th 2020 I will have to go to office of Faro and arrive very early to get a ticket or download an app I can’t find to get a virtual ticket (Please advise the name of the app if it exists) Provide the following documentation Identification document (passport) Proof of residence in Portugal Fiscal identification number Medical report (Is this needed?, I’m in my 50’s) Original driving licence (UK pink license) Declaration of authenticity issued by the driving licence issuing authority (Is this needed?) The costs involved If the application is made within the 90 day period, the fee is €30,00 for the issue of the licence If the application is made after the 90 day period, the fee is €75,00 (€15 for the issue of a learner’s permit, €30 for the practical test and €30 for the issue of the licence) As I’m slightly over 90 days is this still valid or is there a grace period due to covid? I also read that some people drove to a different center due to Faro being a nightmare, but at this point I presume I shouldn’t be driving anywhere? Any insights would be greatly appreciated |
Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Originally Posted by Pivobelly
(Post 12787477)
I have NHR status (since 2019) but haven't yet exchanged my UK driving licence for a Portuguese one. I'm unclear if I need to do this before 31st January 2020 (brexit day) in order to avoid having to take a Portuguese driving test. At one point I was informed the cut off date would be the 31st December 2020 when the transition period ends.
Can anybody provide clarification please? Many thanks You don’t say which month you became PT resident in 2019 but the two year timeframe starts as of that date and is subject to an as yet unknown agreement if you miss the December 2020 window. Why take the risk? |
Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Originally Posted by algarvebound
(Post 12848625)
Could somebody please advise if I have the exchange requirements to exchange my uk license correct?
Originally Posted by algarvebound
(Post 12848625)
My residence permit was issued Jan 24th 2020
I will have to go to office of Faro and arrive very early to get a ticket or download an app I can’t find to get a virtual ticket (Please advise the name of the app if it exists) Under normal circumstances, you could use the app which is called SigaApp to get a ticket on the day for the queue - info here but I wouldn't have thought so right now, as it's not the same thing as having an appointment booked. I would suggest an initial approach via one of the methods published on the IMT website contacts page
Originally Posted by algarvebound
(Post 12848625)
Provide the following documentation
Identification document (passport) Proof of residence in Portugal Fiscal identification number Medical report (Is this needed?, I’m in my 50’s) Original driving licence (UK pink license) Declaration of authenticity issued by the driving licence issuing authority (Is this needed?) No, you don't need a declaration of authenticity for a UK licence.
Originally Posted by algarvebound
(Post 12848625)
The costs involved
If the application is made within the 90 day period, the fee is €30,00 for the issue of the licence If the application is made after the 90 day period, the fee is €75,00 (€15 for the issue of a learner’s permit, €30 for the practical test and €30 for the issue of the licence) As I’m slightly over 90 days is this still valid or is there a grace period due to covid? |
Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
“Red Eric” Thank you very much for your replay, that’s incredibly helpful.
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Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Originally Posted by algarvebound
(Post 12849111)
“Red Eric” Thank you very much for your replay, that’s incredibly helpful.
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Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
An update:
I had to get my Portuguese heath number (Numero De Utente) that involved a visit to my local health dept who told me to contact the regional office in Loulé, I did that via phone and emailed the documents, they sent the number via email. I then scheduled an appointment at my local private clinic and they took care of the test which was basically listen to my heart and reading back some very large letters. I am now trying to get an appointment at the Faro IMT office by emailing customer service who gave me email address of an employee to contact but so far after a couple of days I have not received a reply. If anyone has a better way to get an appointment I’d appreciate any help. |
Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever get a local licence, especially if the UK makes a direct deal with Portugal. I guess I wouldn't be allowed to drive a Portuguese plated car with my NHR status?
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Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Originally Posted by Pivobelly
(Post 12853340)
I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever get a local licence, especially if the UK makes a direct deal with Portugal. I guess I wouldn't be allowed to drive a Portuguese plated car with my NHR status?
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Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Originally Posted by Pivobelly
(Post 12853340)
... I guess I wouldn't be allowed to drive a Portuguese plated car with my NHR status?
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Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Final update. I emailed the main customer service again and they provided me with an appointment the following day. Arrived 30 mins early, had to wait outside for a few minutes then security guard checked a list and I was allowed to enter. It only took 15mins to do the exchange. 30 euros. I was the only person inside when I was being processed.
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Re: Exchanging UK driving licence for Portuguese
Originally Posted by RichardHenshall
(Post 12853361)
Why would your tax status have any bearing on your entitlement to drive?
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