Half of those detained without a driving licence are under 40
The data was presented by the GNR.

Latest news and stories about driving laws in Portugal for expats and residents.
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.

A 65-year-old man tested over the legal alcohol limit and was under a court-ordered driving ban.

Between January and February, 937 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the PSP.

679 drivers were fined for alcohol in January and February. Almost a third were subject to the stricter limit of 0.2 g/l. The PSP also recorded 1,597 arrests for road traffic crimes.

A man was sentenced to two years and two months in prison at the Nisa court for driving with a duplicate licence.
