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A Day in Faro
A Day in Faro
Hello forum chums. Just thought you may like to hear about my exciting day in Faro helping my friends and for those of you still muting the idea of matriculating a UK or other foreign registered car here, it might just be the deciding factor. Remember even if you pay someone else to do the paperwork for you, you still have to go with them for most of the stages to sign all the papers.
We left Silves at 9am to complete Phase 5, or is that 6 or 7 of the car matriculation process? We arrived at the Alfândega (customs) around 10am after parking the car and walking back there. There was a queue of people but eventually got seen well within the hour (thought we must be on a good day). We were given the new car registration (matricula) on a printed form known as a DAV, which my friends signed for and we were told to go next to the DGV office up the road in Faro to simply give them a copy of this document to request a new vehicle registration document (livrete) and to go to a shop almost opposite to have the plates made for the car.
After a quick coffee to refresh us, we walked the 10 minute walk to the DGV. We queried which was the appropriate ticket (as there was a choice of 4) to take in order to wait our turn. We were told "veiculos" and so we took one and sat down to wait for our turn. We had number 537 and they were on 513. Hmmm...probably a long wait I thought. So my friend's husband went to get the plates made up across the road. This was quick and easy and he was back within about 10 minutes. Success!!
3 hours later...YES 3 HOURS later, our turn arrived to be seen and guess what? The Alfândega hadn't given us all the right papers and we were told to walk back to get them, plus to get photocopies of my friend's passport and fiscal card. I was at this stage given a piece of paper with all the things on we had to produce. Aaaaaarrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhh!
Why couldn't anyone have given us this at the reception, when we got our ticket, rather than let us wait 3 hours to discover this fact or better still give it to us at the Alfândega? Several deep intakes of breath. 
10 minute walk back to the Alfândega and after another wait I butted in across a person already being dealt with (not something I ever like to do but I was desperate by this stage and I thought my friend's husband might spontaneously combust). The woman went to get me the missing paper obviously blaming us for not pointing out to them that we didn't have it. I should have known of course.
10 minute walk back to the DGV and we went straight back to the same woman. She was by this time obviously with someone else, so we stood immediately behind to squeeze in again..no way were we going to sit there for another 3 hours.
The information entered on computer, 30 Euros paid and an SAE completed, so they could send the new livrete to my friends and we were finished. Yipeee.
Finally, we collapsed in a heap outside a bar and consumed one or two beers before driving back to Silves. Got back at 6pm. Great day out. Can't wait to do it again...NOT. All part of life's great tapestry and another learning experience I suppose.
We left Silves at 9am to complete Phase 5, or is that 6 or 7 of the car matriculation process? We arrived at the Alfândega (customs) around 10am after parking the car and walking back there. There was a queue of people but eventually got seen well within the hour (thought we must be on a good day). We were given the new car registration (matricula) on a printed form known as a DAV, which my friends signed for and we were told to go next to the DGV office up the road in Faro to simply give them a copy of this document to request a new vehicle registration document (livrete) and to go to a shop almost opposite to have the plates made for the car.
After a quick coffee to refresh us, we walked the 10 minute walk to the DGV. We queried which was the appropriate ticket (as there was a choice of 4) to take in order to wait our turn. We were told "veiculos" and so we took one and sat down to wait for our turn. We had number 537 and they were on 513. Hmmm...probably a long wait I thought. So my friend's husband went to get the plates made up across the road. This was quick and easy and he was back within about 10 minutes. Success!!
3 hours later...YES 3 HOURS later, our turn arrived to be seen and guess what? The Alfândega hadn't given us all the right papers and we were told to walk back to get them, plus to get photocopies of my friend's passport and fiscal card. I was at this stage given a piece of paper with all the things on we had to produce. Aaaaaarrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhh!
Why couldn't anyone have given us this at the reception, when we got our ticket, rather than let us wait 3 hours to discover this fact or better still give it to us at the Alfândega? Several deep intakes of breath. 10 minute walk back to the Alfândega and after another wait I butted in across a person already being dealt with (not something I ever like to do but I was desperate by this stage and I thought my friend's husband might spontaneously combust). The woman went to get me the missing paper obviously blaming us for not pointing out to them that we didn't have it. I should have known of course.
10 minute walk back to the DGV and we went straight back to the same woman. She was by this time obviously with someone else, so we stood immediately behind to squeeze in again..no way were we going to sit there for another 3 hours.
The information entered on computer, 30 Euros paid and an SAE completed, so they could send the new livrete to my friends and we were finished. Yipeee. Finally, we collapsed in a heap outside a bar and consumed one or two beers before driving back to Silves. Got back at 6pm. Great day out. Can't wait to do it again...NOT. All part of life's great tapestry and another learning experience I suppose.
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Guest
Bruxy,
couldn’t you have just fill in the form and put a cheque in the post?
... No
I wouldn’t have asked which colour senha … take one of each, then go and hassle some one when one of your numbers come up Why do you have to queue in one office, then take the paperwork (if you’re luck enough to be given it) to another office? are they being deliberately difficult? if so, why?
couldn’t you have just fill in the form and put a cheque in the post?
... No
I wouldn’t have asked which colour senha … take one of each, then go and hassle some one when one of your numbers come up
Why do you have to queue in one office, then take the paperwork (if you’re luck enough to be given it) to another office? are they being deliberately difficult? if so, why?Thanks for that Cowboy and don't worry I'm still happy. A plate of chilli and a glass or two of wine and I am revived. I just felt sorry for my friends, as I have been in patience training for quite some time now. 
Anyhow, it was an interesting day shall we say and research material for the future. I have to take something positive from the day.
Yes, Ellie I think a donkey could be a better bet, and certainly would be going back to my ancestors roots wouldn't it? Do donkeys need to pay road tax?
A plate of chilli and a glass or two of wine and I am revived. I just felt sorry for my friends, as I have been in patience training for quite some time now. If only Digger mate...if only...digger wrote:Bruxy,
couldn’t you have just fill in the form and put a cheque in the post?
... No
Funny, I did think of doing that but there was a security guard in there being very strict with us all. I am not surprised they need a security guard in there. After telling us we didn't have the right paper from the customs, I thought my friend's husband was going to thump her.digger wrote:I wouldn’t have asked which colour senha … take one of each, then go and hassle some one when one of your numbers come up
No, it is just the way it is done Digger. We have made 3 or 4 visits to the Alfândega to do the various papers, as well of course the inspection centre and sending the papers to the car dealer's HQ in Lisboa to be approved etc etc. The final stage is signing for the matricula you are allocated at the Alfândega, going to a shop to get the plates made and finally moving on the DGV for the livrete stage. No, there is no logic to it, it is just how it is. BUT 3 hours in the DGV tested even my patience. It wasn't just because we were foreigners either, the Portuguese guy sitting next to me with his South African wife asked for MY help as to whether he had the right papers and said he had been back to the various places several times.digger wrote:Why do you have to queue in one office, then take the paperwork (if you’re luck enough to be given it) to another office? are they being deliberately difficult? if so, why?
Anyhow, it was an interesting day shall we say and research material for the future. I have to take something positive from the day.
Yes, Ellie I think a donkey could be a better bet, and certainly would be going back to my ancestors roots wouldn't it? Do donkeys need to pay road tax?
Well they certainly earn enough out of it in taxes. Also all the add on costs don't help. Just for getting a Portuguese dealership to stamp the form to approve the car in Portugal costs €100! Money for old rope.
Personally tbbr I wouldn't bother, unless you really like going up and down the motorway to Faro several times and sitting around in various government offices. I consider myself a fairly easy going, laid back and extremely patient person but even I felt like jumping up and down on the final employee's desk and screaming.
If anyone asks me to help them again I am going to the Dr's first to get some valium.
Buy a Portuguese car and be done with it. Saving money on bringing in a UK car isn't worth the hassle IMHO.
Personally tbbr I wouldn't bother, unless you really like going up and down the motorway to Faro several times and sitting around in various government offices. I consider myself a fairly easy going, laid back and extremely patient person but even I felt like jumping up and down on the final employee's desk and screaming.
If anyone asks me to help them again I am going to the Dr's first to get some valium.
Buy a Portuguese car and be done with it. Saving money on bringing in a UK car isn't worth the hassle IMHO.
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Guest.
don’t wish to get into the matric/no matric thing … but I'd like to pick up on something bruxy said:
and tbbr said:BUT 3 hours in the DGV tested even my patience. It wasn't just because we were foreigners either
people may get the impression the foreigners get a raw deal, or are perhaps made unwelcome. In my experience, being a foreigner in pt is an advantage. I get better service than the average pt punter does in these situations.Maybe its all a clever ruse to get all expats to buy their cars in Portugal rather than import and go through the chaos you describe.
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nightrider