RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Portugal

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in Portugal

Theory questions, in 30 minutes30
Pass mark27 correct
Theory test€15
Driving test€30
Learner licence€15
Licence card€30

Total official fees: €90, paid through your driving school (10% off online). School fees come on top.

Before you start driving

2
Learner licenceYes. The driving school requests your learner licence (licença de aprendizagem).
Medical checkYes. An electronic medical certificate from any doctor.

Required lessons

1
Driving school (compulsory)Theory and driving lessons at a licensed driving school (escola de condução), which also books your tests.

Good to know

8
Minimum age18 for category B.
Licence validityRenewed at set ages, with a medical certificate from 60.
Exam languagesPortuguese. The theory test can also be taken with a translator from IMT's official list.
If you failBook a new test through your driving school and pay the fee again.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits your licence to automatic cars.
New driversA 3-year probationary period. Serious offences can cancel the licence.
Already have a licence from abroad?EU licences stay valid. Licences from road traffic convention or agreement countries are exchanged without tests within 90 days of your residence permit. See the Abroad tab.
Also worth knowing
  • Keep your address up to date with the school: the licence is posted to the address on your learner licence.
  • If your Portuguese isn't strong, ask for a theory test with an IMT-listed translator.

Step by step

  1. Enrol at a driving schoolWith ID showing you live in Portugal, your tax number and the medical certificate.
  2. Learner licenceRequested by the school.
  3. Theory testAt an exam centre.
  4. Driving testIn traffic with an examiner.
  5. LicenceSent to the address on your learner licence. Then 3 years of probation.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Some mistakes fail you on the spot: ignoring a STOP sign or a red light, not stopping for pedestrians at a crossing, or the examiner having to step in.
  • Stalling the engine more than 3 times, or 3 faults in the same manoeuvre, also ends the test.
  • Minor faults add up, and more than 10 is a fail. Fasten your seatbelt, adjust the mirrors and signal every manoeuvre.
  • Practise parallel parking in your lessons: it's part of the test.

Based on: Generali Tranquilidade: How to pass the driving test first time, with IMT rules (2023, Portuguese) ↗

Official links

IMT: Car licence (Portuguese) ↗IMT: Renewing a licence (Portuguese) ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

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