How to change your driver’s license when immigrating to Portugal

If you want to drive in Portugal, you need to hold a Portuguese driver's license, and obtaining a Portuguese driver's license requires a certain amount of energy and financial resources. However, since China and Portugal are both members of the International Road Traffic Convention, you can exchange your Chinese driver's license for a Portuguese driver's license, but the replacement must be submitted within 185 days after applying for Portuguese residence.

To replace a Portuguese driver’s license, the following requirements must be met:

1. The minimum legal age required by Portuguese law for this category (18 years old in Portugal);

2. Good physical health and mental condition;

3. Living in Portugal (not resident, just get a residence card);

4. Not prohibited from driving due to safety reasons or have your driver's license revoked.

The following documents are required to change the driver’s license (Chinese driver’s license to Portuguese driver’s license):

1. Submit the original valid driver’s license; a copy of the personal ID card and present the original (gold Residence card, passport); provide tax ID number; medical certificate issued by a professional doctor (i.e., the document proving physical health and good mental condition as mentioned above);

2. A professional psychologist specializes in Category 2 drivers, the vehicle types that can be driven include C, CE, D, DE, C1, C1E, D1 and D1E vehicles. Drivers with B and BE driver's licenses can drive ambulances, fire vehicles, hospital vehicles, school buses and The driver of the passenger vehicle issues a certificate of good psychological evaluation;

3. A statement issued by the issuing authority, diplomatic or consular agency proving the authenticity and validity of the driver's license, including the period of the driver's license, usage The date and other information of the vehicle category, and it is a driver's license obtained through the driving approval test;

4. Translation of the driver's license: When the content of the driver's license is not in Portuguese/French/English/Spanish, Portuguese or other The consulate of the member country does the certification. Cost: 30 euros (referring to the cost of replacing a driver’s license).

Other things to note about driver’s licenses:

The European Union’s view on international driver’s licenses: An international driver’s license is a translation of an individual’s driver’s license in the country that issued the driver’s license. Therefore, it can only be used in certain recognized countries. For example, if a U.S. driver's license is translated into Portuguese, it will be recognized for use in Portugal (because the two countries have signed an agreement). However, if you drive with this driver's license and translation in other EU countries, you will not be able to use it in Portugal. Not necessarily legal.

During the process of applying to change your driver’s license, please be sure to pay attention to the following matters (very important):

① If the applicant intends to change his Portuguese driver’s license, please apply under the self-residence card. Apply for replacement within 185 days (based on the validity period of the residence card).

② When applying to change your Portuguese driver’s license, you need to hand in your original Chinese driver’s license and it is non-refundable before you can finally get your Portuguese driver’s license. Based on this, it is recommended that you prepare another Chinese driver's license in advance before applying to change your Portuguese driver's license, or return to China after changing your Portuguese driver's license and report the loss of your original Chinese driver's license so that it does not affect the use of your driver's license in China.