Photographic ID Carrying

[bessieboo]

Some friends of mine who are staying in Villamoura were yesterday stopped, (ages 22 - 52)by the GNR, initially for not wearing a rear seat-belt for which they were fined 120 Euros, fair enough, but on top of that they were each fined an additional 60 Euros each for not carrying any photographic ID. I had no idea that EVERYONE was supposed to carry it all times. Is everyone else aware of this?

BB

[pickwick]

Hi

See below from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-liv ... awsCustoms

You must show some form of identification e.g. a passport if requested by the police or judicial authorities. This requirement is rigorously enforced when driving in Portugal. In other cases, it should be sufficient to carry a photocopy of the data page of your passport, but be prepared to produce the original document, if necessary. This may mean being accompanied by the police to collect it from your hotel. Please keep a photocopy of the data page separate from the original.

[bazza]

yes as far as i am aware it has allways been compulsary to carry photo ID and for tourists a passport. Even photo copies of such have been rejected when i have been stopped by GNR

[Barry]

We have been stopped twice by the GNR, but then again we do spend about 6 months of the year in Carvoeiro, so I don't think they are picking on us. And actually treated very politely, including a salute ( it must be my age). Each time they were happy with plastic part of my drivers licence, since it has my photo on it. Unless someone knows better, it would be best to keep your passport safe.

[TomUK]

As a regular user of rental cars I am aware of the requirement to carry the car rental details and photo ID in the car. I always have my photo driving licence with me in my wallet, as well as the rental documents, but I am reluctant to carry my passport around. I always have good quality scans of the details page of my passport with me, but fortunately I have never been checked by the traffic cops or GNR, so don't know if my ageing looks and amiable manner will get me off the hook. We always wear seat belts to avoid attracting their attention (and to avoid going head first through the windscreen!)

[Farol]

This has been covered before. See here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21855&hilit=certified+copy&start=15

[bessieboo]

Thanks everyone. We've always photocopied our passports, but will now make sure we carry our actual driving licences. Agree with Emm, am not happy carrying my passport with me at all times, then again am not happy about the prospect of being fined 60 euros! Have been very lucky not have had any dealings with the GNR over the past 7 years...... touching wood as I say that!!

[James Faro]

Some friends of mine who are staying in Villamoura were yesterday stopped, (ages 22 - 52)by the GNR, initially for not wearing a rear seat-belt for which they were fined 120 Euros, fair enough, but on top of that they were each fined an additional 60 Euros each for not carrying any photographic ID. I had no idea that EVERYONE was supposed to carry it all times. Is everyone else aware of this?

BB

I hope this did not spoil their holiday. The GBR can have some limited discretion about not issuing fines but I suppose not wearing seatbelts and not carrying passports/ID was probably not discretion-free, two offence at the same time being committed.

Very good advice to keep passport photocopies. I have scanned copies of mine on email so if I ever lose mine at least I download and print copies before I need to go to the consulate - fingers crossed so far, no!

[Bruce Wallis]

I lost my passport here last year....................
WHAT a performance!!!!
You have to report the loss to the GNR........11 euros, (they give form of loss for consulate)
Get a temporary travel document from the UK consulate in Portimao...not sure now, but I think that was about 45 euros...or maybe 75....
New passport photo for temp passport 10 euros

THEN.....when you get back to the UK....the cost of a new passport.

Over all, the thick end of £200.

For that reason, my passport sits in the safe, and I carry my photo I/D driving licence.

You can never be sure with the GNR.....most of them are fine....but some can be like 3rd world Gestapo.The thing to watch out for is jodhpurs, shiny knee high boots and wrap around shades!!

[DaveK]

My understanding is that way back after the revolution, or maybe before, they were trained by ex gestapo. May be wrong, but!

[Sharen Crane]

I had no idea that EVERYONE was supposed to carry it all times. Is everyone else aware of this?

I had no idea that I should be carrying photographic ID for me! I don't drive the hire car whilst we are there so I didn't think I would need to! I know that we had to have Michael's because of the driving issues, although he does now have a photo driving licence. That said I almost always have both of the passports with me, purely because if I have them both together I am less likely to forget where I have put mine.

[keela]

You should carry your ID with you just in case. However I was stopped by the GNR last week. I was approaching the Globes roundabout in Albufeira, just going past the apartments at Corcovada. I saw that the GNR were at the roundabout and hoped that they didn't stop me but just as I got near I was waved to the side. Stopped the car, switched off and got out. The conversation went:

GNR: Bom Dia and offers his hand which I shake.
Me: Bom Dia
GNR: Something in Portuguesea but before I could reply - "Are you English"?
Me: Yes
GNR: Are you on holiday?
ME: No, I live here.. He looked into the back of my car.
GNR: Oh, you have a dog.
GNR: In English but very quietly something about a lot of dangers. Partner says something in Portuguese. The he says " You have a nice day now".
Me: You too.

No request for sight of ID, driving licence, insurance, IPO or anything. I came away with the impression that they were just lonely and wanted to speak to someone other than each other!!!! Hubby reckons that they had probably been told to watch out for someone specific and having stopped me and realised that I was not that person, was an end to the matter. He was very pleasant and can honestly say that it was the best stop I have had with the
GNR!!!!

[sam]

I was stopped last year, on outskirts to CVO. I only had my driving licence for ID (old style UK, no photo). He asked about the car, and I supplied copy of hire contract which has passport details on it. They took both to their car, seemed to be checking something, then returned them and waved me on my way.

[Sharen Crane]

Those of you stopped whilst driving a car should have your ID with you, however the comment in the original post was about passengers in the car also being fined for not carrying ID and that is the query? Did you all know you are supposed to be carrying ID as a passenger?

[e-richard]

... Did you all know you are supposed to be carrying ID as a passenger?

I don't think this is just because you are a "passenger".

Portugal does have some obscure law about everyone needing to carry ID cards whatever, wherever.