Articles written by the PÚBLICO Brasil team are written in the variant of the Portuguese language used in Brazil.
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Yes, the Brazilian National Driving License (CNH) is valid in Portugal. From September 2023, a bilateral agreement eliminated the need for residents of Portuguese territory to exchange their document for a Portuguese driving license.
It is important to emphasize that a Brazilian driving license can only be digitally valid in Portugal as long as it is within the original validity period, and in the European country only categories A and B are recognized. For other license categories it will be necessary to obtain a Portuguese license.
If the Brazilian driving license has expired and the person lives in Portugal, the advice is to bring the Portuguese home immediately. To avoid inconvenience, anticipate the expiration date and request conversion. Other important points: a Brazilian driving license cannot be issued for more than 15 years and the driver must be a maximum of 60 years old.
For those who are traveling in Portugal and intend to rent a car to explore the country, it is important to find out all the requirements with your chosen rental company. Overall, everything is very easy and many people have already come from Brazil with everything figured out.
A Brazilian driving license is not valid in all European countries. Each country has its own road traffic regulations, which include the recognition of foreign driving licenses. Therefore, before traveling, check the website of the embassy or consulate of the country you are traveling to and familiarize yourself with road traffic regulations. You can't be too careful.
If you intend to drive in Portugal for a longer period or need a driving license for categories that are not equivalent to a Brazilian driving license, the rule is to ask for a Portuguese driving license. The requirements are: be a resident of Portugal; be over 18 years of age; have the physical and mental ability to drive vehicles; and pass theoretical and practical driving tests.
The required documents are: passport or Portuguese citizenship card; taxpayer number (Tax Identification Number); a medical certificate confirming physical and mental ability to drive; Brazilian driving license (if held); and proof of residence in Portugal.
Paths to follow
The first step is to register with the IMT (Institute of Mobility and Transport), which can be done online or in person at one of the public service points. The second stage is conducting exams. The theoretical part takes place online, and the practical part – in the vehicle of your choice.
However, pay attention to the deadlines. The total process time varies depending on the interested party's availability to take the exams and demand at IMT public facilities. Generally, this process may take two to four months.
Various factors influence the schedule, such as the category of the desired portfolio. More complex ones, such as C and D, may require more time to learn how to drive and prepare for the test. In the case of additional driving lessons, the candidate will have to use the help of an accredited instructor. The number of classes required varies depending on your ability and pace of learning.
Fees to be paid
The total costs of obtaining a Portuguese driving license can vary significantly, but usually include the following: application fee, which varies depending on the category of driving license chosen; a medical examination, the cost of which varies depending on the place where it is carried out – usually between 30 and 50 euros (180-300 R$). Each driving lesson can cost between 20 and 35 euros (R$120 and R$210).
Exam fees vary depending on the license category selected. Check the IMT website for updated values. Other costs include teaching materials and licensing fees. To check all values, always consult an accredited driving instructor or driver training center. Once you have passed your exams, your Portuguese driving license will be mailed to your home.
Portuguese wallet
A Portuguese driving license is also accepted in Brazil as long as it is within its validity period. For those who have a Portuguese document and want to exchange it for a Brazilian one, the process is similar to obtaining a first driving license, as they will have to present the same documents and pass theoretical and practical driving tests.
Driving with an invalid Brazilian driving license in Portugal is considered a serious offense, punishable by a fine of up to 350 euros (R$2,100) and vehicle impoundment. Driving with an expired Portuguese driving license in Brazil is also considered an offense for which Brazilian authorities may impose a fine and suspension of your driving license.
Portugal uses a points system on the driving license. The driver starts with 12 points, and if he or she has not been fined for three years, he or she receives 15 points. You can earn 16 points if you complete a road safety course when renewing your driving license. Each offense will remove points from your licence: serious offenses will remove two to three points; very serious; 4 to 5 points; and driving offences, six points. An example of a driving offense is driving with an alcohol concentration exceeding 1.2 grams per liter of blood or under the influence of drugs. In addition to losing six points, it can result in a sentence of up to one year in prison. If the number of points is reset, the driver will not be allowed to drive for two years, after which the process will have to start over, with a theoretical and practical exam.
In Brazil, instead of losing points, drivers accumulate them by committing traffic offenses. The maximum allowed is 19 points over 12 months. After reaching 20 points, the document is suspended. All points are accumulated for one year. This means that the validity period is 12 months from the date of infringement. After this period, the points become invalid.
