Driving licence medical certificate in Portugal
Your category, age and professional use determine the requirements. An appointment does not guarantee that a certificate can be issued.
Group 1 covers motorcycles, mopeds, light vehicles and agricultural tractors. Group 2 covers heavy vehicles and certain professional uses of B or BE. The doctor submits the certificate to IMT, but cannot guarantee its issuance. Some cases need an in-person assessment, further evidence or a psychological certificate.
Legal map
Which categories belong to Group 1 and Group 2?
Check your category and vehicle use before booking.
- Group 1: AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE categories, mopeds and agricultural tractors.
- Group 2 by category: C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE.
- Professional B or BE: ambulances, fire-service vehicles, patient transport, school or child transport, and hire cars used for passenger transport fall under Group 2.
- If you are unsure: check the category and describe the driving activity. A B or BE licence does not always mean Group 1.
The group changes the medical criteria, renewal intervals and additional assessments.
Official category map: IMT — driving licence and the Justice portal — renew a driving licence.
Renewal
When are medical and psychological certificates required?
Deadlines depend on category, acquisition date and age.
The Justice portal requires a medical certificate from age 60 for Group 1 and a psychological certificate after 70. Group 2 renewals require a medical certificate and, after 50, a psychological certificate. First licences, foreign-licence exchanges and health-authority directions may follow different rules.
Assessment
What to prepare for the medical assessment
The appointment provides the evidence for a clinical decision.
Bring identification, your category, medication list and relevant reports. The doctor may need to check vision, mobility, chronic illness, loss of consciousness or treatment affecting alertness.
- Your driving licence, category and any notice from IMT.
- Your medication, relevant medical reports, glasses or contact lenses.
An online appointment may suffice. Otherwise, the doctor will request an in-person examination, test or additional opinion.
If the certificate cannot be issued, ask whether you need a report, examination, vision check, specialist opinion or psychological assessment before renewal.
Electronic route
How electronic submission to IMT works
Once issued, the doctor submits the certificate electronically to IMT.
You need not send a copy. Renewal is a separate online or in-person application. Add a psychological certificate or other document when required.
Keep the renewal confirmation and respond to IMT requests.
If the certificate is missing, contact the issuer and IMT. The clinic does not decide the renewal.
Official sources
Check the rule that applies to your licence
Official procedure: IMT — licence renewal and the Justice portal — renew a driving licence.
Global Health Portugal
Next steps
The appointment covers your category, history and documents.
Do you need an assessment for the certificate?
Prepare your category, medication and reports. Issuance is not guaranteed.
Official sources
Where to check categories and renewal rules
Check your category, deadline and documents on official pages.
Issuance depends on individual assessment and the rules for the category and vehicle use.
FAQ
Common questions
Which licence categories belong to Group 1 and Group 2?
Group 1 covers AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, BE, mopeds and agricultural tractors. Group 2 covers C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE and specified professional uses of B or BE.
Does online renewal remove the need for a medical appointment?
No. The application can be online, but the certificate requires medical assessment. The doctor submits it electronically to IMT after issuance.
When is a psychological fitness certificate required?
The Justice portal requires it after 70 for Group 1 and after 50 for Group 2 renewals. Check with IMT.
Does an online appointment guarantee the certificate?
No. It may suffice, but the doctor can request reports, an in-person assessment or another opinion, or find that the criteria are not met.
