According to the latest news, relevant departments in Portugal have adjusted their motor vehicle driving policy. Chinese citizens immigrating to Portugal or traveling there should take note. Please see below for the detailed policy adjustments.
Portuguese Driver's License—Expanded Services for Easier Processing
When applying for or renewing a driver's license, you can now make appointments in advance, consult relevant information, simplify procedures, and benefit from optimized services. The National Government Secretariat has responded that it will implement these changes as soon as possible, aiming for full implementation in 2017. This year, efforts will be made to establish service centers in the two major cities of Lisbon and Porto to ensure the quality and speed of service, facilitating the implementation of these measures.
Portuguese Driver's License—System Automatically Updates Address Information on Driving Documents
The face of the driver's license will change, with the address field being removed. Personal information (especially address information) will be aligned with the information on the individual's ID card/residence permit. The system will register the personal information from the ID card/residence permit, and when applying for a driver's license, the system will automatically update the relevant documents based on the records from the ID card/residence permit. There is no need to worry about the address on the driver's license being inconsistent with your new address after moving.
Government departments revealed that 400,000 car owners change their addresses every year, and some owners have complained that the procedure for changing addresses on relevant documents is very troublesome every time they move. Now, by removing the address field from the driver's license and only keeping it registered in the system, if the address on the ID card/residence permit changes, the system will proactively update the personal registration information on the driver's license, making it convenient and fast.
Portuguese Driver's License—Extension of Driver's License "Lifespan"
After this reform measure is implemented, the "validity period" of a motor vehicle driver's license will be extended from 10 years to 15 years. Therefore, car owners will not need to be so diligent about renewing or updating their driver's licenses in the future.
Portuguese Driver's License—Online Submission of Health Certificates via the System
Due to the cooperation between modern administrative departments and health departments, an IMT link platform has been established. When car owners apply for or renew a driver's license, they do not need to submit a hospital health certificate in person; the platform system between the two departments will automatically send or retrieve it.
