The Portuguese Government has approved new measures for obtaining a driver's license. In general, the biggest changes will be felt during driving instruction, with a greater emphasis on the tutor's role in practical learning.

The Council of Ministers reviewed the Legal Regime of Driving Instruction, defined by Law No. 14/2014. According to the government, regarding the Mobility 2.0 initiative, on 23 January, there will be an alternative regime with greater flexibility for driving lessons.

Relevance of the tutor

The main change concerns learning with a tutor. In Portugal, it has always been possible to learn to drive with a tutor; however, it served as a complement to the mandatory lessons administered by the driving school.

With the approval of the new proposal, these principles are altered. Now, learning can be done with a tutor or instructor, in a model that still requires a final exam. According to the Government, the approved proposal aims to create a more flexible system without removing schools' responsibility for monitoring and evaluating the progress of those seeking a driver's license.

Rules for tutors

Despite the greater openness to the supervised learning model, the criteria for acting as a tutor remain demanding. The law continues to establish clear requirements to ensure some safety in the process.

Although the learning model is now more liberal, the criteria for acting as a tutor remain demanding. The law maintains clear requirements that guarantee safety throughout the process.

Thus, it is stipulated that the tutor must have a category B driver's license for at least 10 years. In addition to driving experience, the tutor must not have any convictions for traffic crimes or any serious or very serious infractions in the last five years.

The current regime also states that the tutor must complete a road safety module and pass the tests with flying colours.

Defined limits

Those in the learning process with a tutor must restrict themselves to the municipality's defined geographical limits, although this data has not yet been released. Learners should also not transport other passengers besides the tutor in the vehicle.

Driving on highways is prohibited, and it is mandatory to take out personal liability insurance during the learning phase with a tutor.

When to start practice

To use a tutor for instruction, those who want to obtain a driver's license must complete a 12-hour, 250-kilometre driving period on the road, administered by an instructor at a driving school.

Role of Schools

Despite the alternative system, schools continue to play a central role in obtaining a driver's license. It is the schools that will approve the learner for the final driving test.

The system stipulates that schools may require additional lessons before proposing the candidate for the final exam.