The fine for driving without a valid license can reach up to €600, if the document has expired five years ago. Above five, you risk a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine of 240 days.

According to a report by CNN Portugal, until January 16 of this year, the National Republican Guard (GNR) counted 276 people without a driving license, with it revoked or expired. Last year, the Public Security Police (PSP) counted 8,296 drivers without a legal license, an increase of 14% compared to 2020 and 81% compared to 2019. The districts of Lisbon, Porto and Setúbal are the ones with the most infractions.

When do I have to renew?

The law has changed and since 2008 and drivers of light cars and motorcycles are required to renew their license at the age of 50. At the time, the IMT said it would send letters to alert drivers to this change. Four years later, in 2012, the Government introduced the new Legal Eligibility Regulation to drive, which provides for different revalidation.

Drivers of vehicles of categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE, Mopeds and Agricultural Tractors must:

Renew the license at age 50, when qualified before January 2, 2013;

Renew on the date stated in the document, when enabled after January 2, 2013;

Every 15 years, after the date of qualification until reaching the age of 60, when qualified after July 30, 2016.

Drivers of vehicles of categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE, as well as drivers of categories B and BE - who drive ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles, transporting patients, school transport, public transport for children and passenger cars for hire - must:

Renew at age 40, when qualified before January 2, 2013;

Renew on the date stated in the document, when enabled after January 2, 2013;

Renew every five years, after the qualification until reaching the age of 70, when qualified after July 30, 2016

Also be aware that if your license has expired for up to two years, you can renew it without training or examination. Up to five years, you have to take an exam with a practical test. Between five and ten years, you will have to attend training and take the practical exam.