Buy the IMT Driving License
If you're not a EU national and you are new to Portugal you must exchange your foreign driving license as soon as possible. If you don't, your license could be confiscated or even cancelled.
To complete your exchange, you'll need the following documents: a photo ID and an completed IMT Modelo 13 form, and proof of residence. You may also require medical examination.
Cost
The cost of an IMT driving license varies based on if you take the theory test online or in person. In person, the test is EUR15 and takes 30 minutes. It is comprised of 30 multiple-choice questions that test the syllabus that you've learned in preparation classes. The test is conducted in Portuguese however, you can also choose to translate it into English. The IMT website lists private centers that offer this exam.
The IMT provides a service online to replace lost or stolen driver's licenses. The website lets citizens submit their request for a digital certification. Then, you can take the certificate to a police station in order to receive a new license within eight weeks. In addition, you can submit your request at an IMT desk in person. You'll require an ID document like a citizenship card or taxpayer number, passport or residence permit and an completed Modelo 10 IMT form.
After you have moved to Portugal it is essential to exchange your foreign driving license to a Portuguese driver's license as soon as you are able. This will help you avoid massive fines if your foreign license is lost or stolen. You should also get your new Portuguese driving license before your old one expires.
You can submit your request online or in person at an IMT office. In-person visits are the most common for complicated applications like ones that involve the exchange of foreign licenses. In-person meetings might require additional documents, such as a notarized translation of your foreign license or a copy of your country's the governing body.
The US has no central database of driving licenses, unlike other countries. It can take IMT longer to verify your driver's licence. You can avoid this issue by asking IMT to extend the temporary paper driver's licence in the event that it is soon to expire.
The process of changing your US driver's license for one in Portuguese one can be a bit confusing and lengthy. You should make sure you have all the required documents prior to visiting an IMT branch. Also, it is recommended to bring cash if the office does not accept credit cards. An excellent suggestion is to download an app called SIGA on your smartphone which will inform you the number of people being dealt with and how long you'll need to wait.
Requirements
You can exchange a foreign driving licence to obtain the Portuguese license without taking the Portuguese driving test. The process could be long. It is possible that you will need to organize your documents, but you will be required to attend preparatory classes and take the test in theory either at IMT or privately. To be eligible for the driving test you must have completed 28 hours of theory classes and 32 hours of practical ones. These lessons are taught at government-approved centers. These centers are listed on the website of the IMT. The length of the lessons is dependent on your availability as well as your performance.
To transfer your foreign license you must provide an abstract of your driving documents from the state in which you last resided in the United States. The document must be apostilled or stamped in order to be valid in your application to IMT. The embassy will authenticate this certificate for you. You can bring it along to your appointment in person with IMT.
You can apply for a driving license online or in person at the IMT office in your city. The online method is easier and less stressful. But, you'll require a proof of identity like your citizen card or taxpayer number to make an application. If you're exchanging an international license, you'll also need your passport or resident permit.
The IMT offers a new service that permits drivers to request duplicate driving licenses online. This new service will save time and money, and it is more convenient than visiting an IMT office in person. The IMT has created a portal that allows drivers upload their documents and even provide an image.
The institute also gives you the option of receiving an automatic notification when it is appropriate to renew your driving licence. Besides that it also informs you of the IMT also informs you about the expiration date of your driving license and how to renew it.
Time frame
Getting your driving license getting your driving license in Portugal can be a lengthy process. It can take up to 30 days for the IMT to process your application and even longer during high-demand times. You are able to drive while waiting for the IMT to process your application using your driving license from another country or temporary permit.
The IMT's online portal allows you to check on the status of your application as well as track your progress, however certain applications require an in person visit. In some cases you can submit the necessary documents directly from your home country. This will make the process much faster.
If Comprar carta de condução da categoria A applying to exchange your EU driver's license, it's important to make the change in the earliest time possible. This will prevent your license from being lost or stolen while you wait for it to be processed. It's also essential to get a Portuguese license before traveling abroad, as the IMT cannot replace your EU license if it's stolen or lost in a different country.
Once you've submitted your application, a medical exam is required. This is a simple exam to determine if you're mentally fit to drive a vehicle. It doesn't include tests for stress or bloodwork and therefore should be simple to pass. The IMT website contains a list of doctors approved to administer this exam.
After passing your medical test, you can start preparation for both the practical and theory exams. The theory test can be taken at the IMT or an examination center that is private but you must have completed your preparatory classes prior to taking it. The practical test can be taken separately or as a part of the theory test. If you choose to take the theory test and the practical test together, you'll require a certificate of the preparation class along with you. Otherwise, you'll have to take the exam at a later time.
Insurance
If you're planning to move to Portugal in the near future, it is recommended to exchange your driver's license immediately. Failure to do so can result in fines and delay of your residence permit. It is also recommended that you complete the change within 90 days of receiving your residency permit.
If you're an EU resident or not, you must obtain a Certificate of Authentication for your old license before changing it to one that is a Portuguese one. This document can be obtained at the Embassy of your country or through consular services in Portugal.
You'll also need to pass a medical exam. This exam is not as difficult as you think. The test includes bloodwork as well as physical examination to confirm that you are able to drive safely. A doctor from a medical network can perform this test costing around EUR25.