Latest news and stories about driving laws in Portugal for expats and residents.
An analytical overview of the updated driving licence regulations in Portugal, focusing on the implications for expatriates and the legal framework governing road rights.
He helped drunk drivers obtain duplicate licences so they could continue driving
The driver risks a fine of 500 euros and an accessory penalty of driving prohibition for a period of two to 24 months.
Sixteen additional infringements were identified regarding a lack of documentation, tyre issues, driving licences, and lighting.
ANSR will carry out awareness campaigns across the country, while enforcement operations will be conducted by the Public Security Police and the National Republican Guard.
… and that’s just the GNR! Every week, Portugal’s GNR police stops around 280 drivers with blood alcohol levels constituting a criminal offence, bringing the cumulative total to 8,438 arrests The post Police pull over around 280 drunk drivers every week appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Every week, the National Republican Guard (GNR) intercepts approximately 280 drivers with blood alcohol levels classified as a criminal offence, totalling 8,438 arrests between 1 January and 31 July. The GNR reports that the difference between the total number of crimes and arrests is due to cases requiring hospital blood tests, where results are processed later. The highest incidence occurs among adults aged 31 to 64, particularly on weekends during the early hours. Porto, Setúbal, Aveiro, and Faro recorded the highest numbers. In Portugal, a blood alcohol level of 1.20 g/l or higher is a criminal offence punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine.
Every week, the National Republican Guard (GNR) intercepts around 280 drivers with blood alcohol levels considered a criminal offence, totalling 8,438 arrests between 1 January and 31 July.
The penalty was imposed by the National Road Safety Authority and confirmed in two court rulings.
Criminalising driving 'above a certain speed' is one of the measures being considered for the new Highway Code. There will also be pilot tests to understand driving behaviours.
Home News 3. 6 million drivers caught speeding in Portugal in 10 years 3. 6 million drivers caught speeding in Portugal in 10 years More than 3.
Socialists criticise the lack of public discussion before changes to the driving instruction regime and want to hear from the IMT, ANSR, and driving schools, at a time when accident rates have risen again.
The PS accused the Government this Tuesday of recklessness in the changes to the law that allow learning to drive with a tutor and requested a parliamentary review of the decree, which they consider to have 'fallen from the sky', in order to hear from various entities and amend it. 'By requesting this parliamentary review, we want a discussion to take place that did not happen regarding this...'
António José Seguro is already following in Marcelo's footsteps, but only when it comes to selfies. Meanwhile, could a new law allowing people to learn to drive with parents or grandparents put driving schools out of business and increase accidents?
Almost only those who are unaware of the law or do not hire a lawyer knowledgeable in road traffic law to contest the fine end up paying or losing their license.
In four months, the PSP detected 3,521 drivers travelling on national roads without civil liability insurance. This averages 29 drivers per day who were issued fines ranging from 500 to 2,500 euros (for light vehicles, heavy vehicles, and motorcycles) and 250 to 1,250 euros (for mopeds), along with vehicle seizure and direct liability for any damages caused. According to information released by the PSP this Wednesday (May 27), in the same period of 2025, the PSP had recorded 3,427 infractions, representing a 2.7% increase in the number of drivers detected driving without valid insurance. According to the Public Security Police, 7,027 road prevention and inspection operations were carried out from January to April, with 239,872 drivers inspected. In this set, a total of 4,262 road crimes and 75,947 road misdemeanours were detected, including infractions for lack of mandatory civil liability insurance. In a statement, the security force reminds that civil liability insurance is legally mandatory for all vehicles, and driving without valid insurance constitutes a serious misdemeanour, punishable by fines, vehicle seizure, direct liability for damages, the loss of two points on the driving licence, and a driving ban of between one month and one year. The PSP also detected more than three thousand drivers over the alcohol limit between January and April.
The possibility of learning to drive with the help of a tutor, provided they have held a driving licence for at least 10 years, has been promulgated. The measure applies to category B licences.
President Seguro has today promulgated diplomas which allow learner drivers to ‘learn’ with the help of a tutor (someone with at least 10 years’ driving experience), and this way reduce The post President rubber-stamps diplomas allowing learner drivers to learn with ‘mum and dad’ appeared first on Portugal Resident.
An analysis of the legality of replacing traditional side mirrors with camera systems in vehicles within Portuguese territory.
The data was presented by the GNR.
The GNR indicates that between 1 January and 22 April 2026, it recorded 2,373 crimes of driving without a legal licence. This crime covers individuals without a licence or those who have exceeded the legal renewal deadline.
Crimes of driving without a legal licence occurred mainly on local streets (71.37%) and national roads (15.59%), with the highest incidence in the North and Centre regions.
The GNR warns of an increase in the number of motorists driving on the road without a valid driving licence.
In the last three years, there has been a significant fluctuation, with 8,985 crimes in 2023, falling to 6,246 in 2024 and rising again to the current 7,525 in 2025.
The Public Security Police (PSP) reported that more than 9,000 motorists have been caught driving vehicles without a valid mandatory inspection since the beginning of the year.
The Minister of Internal Administration announced on Wednesday, April 15, that the government will draft a new Highway Code and reactivate the GNR Traffic Brigades (extinguished in 2007) in response to the high level of accidents on national roads. Luís Neves stated that 40 short-term measures will be implemented, including increased enforcement, with police 'stop' operations no longer being announced in advance, more speed cameras, and changes to penalties and traffic offences. Neves also announced stricter criteria for the revocation of driving licences and harsher punishments for drink-driving, while pledging to combat the statute of limitations on traffic offence proceedings by extending them to the maximum legal limit.
A petition launched in Portugal is causing controversy. It seeks to ban the over-75s from driving, suggesting that the current safeguards in place (regular checks by a doctor) are not The post Petition seeks to ban over-75s from driving appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Home News Petition aims to ban drivers over 75 in Portugal Petition aims to ban drivers over 75 in Portugal In Portugal, a petition addressed to the Assembly of the Republic has been launched proposing a ban on driving for those aged 75 or over. By Bruno G.
A public petition is underway that aims to ban people over 75 from driving. It is alleged that, with age, cognitive limitations appear that increase the risk of accidents.
