New EU driving licence rules: what changes in Portugal?

The new European Union (EU) rules on driving licences came into force on 25 November. They are intended to improve road safety, cut accidents and bring legislation across Member States into closer alignment.

Member States now have three years to incorporate the directive into national law, followed by a further year to put it into practice. So what will change for people applying for a driving licence in Portugal?

Driving licence at 17

The most significant change allows young people to obtain a car driving licence (category B) at the age of 17, subject to one condition. Until they turn 18, they may only drive when accompanied by an experienced driver. At present, a car driving licence in Portugal can only be obtained from the age of 18.

Lorry and passenger vehicle driving licences

For heavy goods vehicles (category C) and passenger vehicles (category D), the rules simply clarify arrangements already in place in Portugal. With a professional competence certificate, category C can be obtained at 18 and category D at 21; without that certificate, the minimum ages remain 21 and 24 respectively. As a result, there is virtually no change in this area compared with Portuguese law.

Do you have questions about the requirements for obtaining a driving licence? Find out more on the IMT website.

Theory test

New drivers will receive training that focuses more closely on real-life hazardous situations, including blind-spot risks, driver-assistance systems, opening doors safely and distractions caused by mobile phones.

The theory test will be updated to cover these subjects, adding further material to existing topics on road signs, legislation and road safety. In Portugal, this will mean a gradual adjustment to the test rather than a change to the fundamental process.

Two-year probationary period

A minimum probationary period of two years will become compulsory in every Member State. Portugal already has a three-year probationary period, so the measure will have little practical impact.

Driving licence validity

Car and motorcycle driving licences will continue to be valid for 15 years, although this may be reduced to 10 years when the licence is used as an identity document. Lorry and coach licences will still need to be renewed every five years.

For drivers over 65, the validity period may be shortened. However, this also broadly matches Portuguese legislation, which requires periodic renewal and a medical certificate from the age of 60. Find out here how often you need to renew your driving licence.

Digital driving licence

The new rules also introduce a digital driving licence that can be accessed on a mobile phone. The EU aims for this to become the official format. Portugal already provides a digital version through the id.gov.pt app.

A physical driving licence will remain available on request and should be delivered within three weeks.

What still needs to happen?

Member States will have three years to transpose the directive into domestic legislation, plus another year to prepare for its practical implementation.

Overall, the new EU rules modernise and standardise driving licences, but for Portuguese drivers the most important change is the option to obtain a car driving licence at 17 with accompanied driving.

The remaining measures, including the digital driving licence and minor updates to the theory test, are designed to modernise the system without radically changing what is already in force in Portugal.