Documents when driving

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:19 am

Do we really need to have our passports with us when driving in Portugal or would a copy do ?.

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:46 am

While I don't know the precise answer to the question of copies, as I understand it, you need driving license and photo ID, so new style driving licenses with photo is sufficient and no passport needed.

blue · Post by **blue** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:28 pm

I was stopped on Tuesday by the GNR, they were stopping most vehicles & checking papers. They asked for both passport & driving license.

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:35 pm

Blue, do you have new style driving license with photo ?

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:02 pm

I was stopped at Easter. I showed the GNR my passport, hire-car agreement and my UK photo driving licence . . . . and I was allowed to continue my journey.

PS: It also helps to be polite and smile.

heini · Post by **heini** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:26 pm

We usually carry photocopies of passports and driver's license. The Canadian driver's licenses have a photo. Have been stopped once with no problems, the officer seemed to be more concerned with the rental car papers. He was very friendly and polite and spoke very good English.

steve · Post by **steve** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:19 pm

Technically I think that you need to carry the originals of your passport or residencia and your driving licence. Some people carry certified copies of these documents but a friend of mine who was stopped by the police and had these was told that he must have the originals. Also you if you produce a residencia with a UK druiving licence you have to have a paper to show that the licence has been registered with the DVG.

blue · Post by **blue** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:13 am

I don't have a new licence but friends of mine have & they're still asked to produce their passport.

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:07 am

Thanks for all the tips and info, think we will keep to the safe side.

Question came about as an aquaintence of ours who live in the algarve, driving a port reg car was stopped by the police and not having passports with them were escorted home where they had to produce these documents.

They also received a 90euro fine.