Driving License Issues

EDITOR, Please explain why you are not able to help so many people struggling with the DL issues?

in Letters · 27 Nov 2021, 20:30 · 8 Comments

Since you were established in 1977 and reached over 400.000, this newspaper should have some power to get hold of the management of IMT and/or the ministers that are responsible for such a mess. A member on FB (probably a clerk at IMT) stated that over 40.000 driving licenses are behind the schedule. Also a lot of taxi drivers are unable to work, etc. Luckily most of them are portuguese or brazilian, thus can get around the issue when being stopped by GNR, only because the GNR staff are mostly nice and friendly guys.

To be honest, what’s the point of issuing all this text, all these comments and all these complaints from people applying for a new DL. It should be fairly easy for the publisher to act and approach the authority!

A Simson, Albufeira

Disclaimer:
The views expressed on this page are those of the author and not of The Portugal News.

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Comments

You are taking absolute rubbish. They have no more say than you have. This is Portugal where you have to wait sometime so get used to it. OR RETURN HOME

By J from Lisbon on 28 Nov 2021, 14:33

I went to IMT on 10 Nov to renew my licence. I received my new one on th 18 Nov. That's IMT in Faro. I think that's excellent service.

By Ian Watson from Algarve on 28 Nov 2021, 22:22

Let's calm down a bit, shall we?
They are a private institution to begin with so while they have the ability to get information on why DL may be delayed it does not mean they can actually do something about it, in fact the original writer should lodge a complaint with the IMT if they are so inclined exposing their disappointment.
That said, sending a letter to a third party is absolutely useless

By Fábio from Other on 29 Nov 2021, 07:49

This is my story of trying to exchange an EU issued driver licence for a local EU one, on the surface, not a difficult process. However, 9 months so far. Recently I went to Leira IMT after 7 months of waiting, many emails and numerous days of calling a none responsive /helpful IMT Call Centre. I was refused access at Liera and told to call the call centre. Everyone around me, mainly good, hardworking Portuguese folk, with much IMT generated frustration agreed, the call centre is unable to give updates, if they ever answer the phone. Emails are just ignored as well.

4 weeks ago IMT sent an automated "technical process complete" message, no idea if this means success or rejection, or if I will ever get a Portuguese driver license.

It is criminal as I cannot work, or drive outside Portugal. My temporary paperwork has expired as well, with a vague note in the IMT system, suggesting global extention to the end of the year.

This would make a good story, especially going into elections. IMT delays are hitting many more Portuguese folk, already realing from Covid impacts.

The media is so often a source real hope for fixing systemic issues for the people, for holding organisations accountable, private or government.

By RH from Other on 29 Nov 2021, 11:34

Agree completely with previous comment. My wife went to IMT in Fsro, was in and out in 20 minutes and her licence arrived 8 days later.

By David M from Algarve on 29 Nov 2021, 12:48

We applied December 2020. Every month sent same email. Went to IMT Guarda September to discover a computer glitch erased many applications including ours. Why is this not public knowledge? New online form. New medical as passed 6 months. Husband's UK license expired. Friend sent me FB announcement that grace period extended for further year. We can't go anywhere if we wanted to hire a car. Lawyer can't get anywhere. No-one seems to be able to help. I send a letter a month to Guarda. What more can we do? I agree that there should be some sort of help available more especially if one's license has expired. One cannot apply for a UK license if not a resident. Frustrating in the extreme.

By Diana from Beiras on 29 Nov 2021, 16:36

Calm down, Karen!

By Ian from Lisbon on 10 Jan 2022, 15:49

I have been battling for a year and a half it’s a very long story. However I finally got a temp Licence after one year and then they took it away saying that they never received my original documents required for Licence exchange. I have proof that they did receive it! Now they don’t reply to emails or answer any calls!! It’s a nightmare cannot drive and cannot assist with my children!!

By Christina Da Fonseca from Algarve on 07 Feb 2022, 12:26