To be eligible to obtain the TVDE certificate, you must speak Portuguese, hold a Category B (light vehicle) driving licence for more than 3 years, and it must be a Portuguese licence.
If your driving licence is foreign, you must exchange your foreign driving licence for a Portuguese one.
For example, a Brazilian citizen whose driving licence from their country of origin has been valid for more than 3 years and who exchanged it for a Portuguese licence about a month ago is eligible to start this process.
If you meet these three requirements, we suggest following this sequence of steps:
1) Complete the TVDE training course and obtain the Group 2 endorsement on your driving licence.
These can be done simultaneously.
TVDE Training
The training consists of 19 hours of theoretical classes, which can be in person (2 full days) or via videoconference, depending on the training provider you choose, 25 hours of e-learning, and 6 hours of in-person individual driving lessons.
The course costs from €195 and lasts about 3 weeks.
You can schedule your training [here]. Once you complete the course, you will receive your TVDE training certificate.
Note: If you already hold a valid taxi driver licence (CMT), you are exempt from taking the training course. However, you must still present your Criminal Record Certificate and request the TVDE driver certificate from the IMT in order to work for an operator. This process costs €30.
Group 2 Endorsement
To obtain this, you will need two documents:
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An Electronic Medical Certificate issued by any licensed doctor (for example, your family doctor);
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A Psychological Evaluation Certificate issued by any licensed psychologist.
Some training providers assist with obtaining these documents.
Once you have both, you can request the endorsement at a Citizen’s Bureau (Espaço Cidadão), an IMT office, or through certain training entities that offer this service.
The revalidation of Group 2 licences occurs every five years until the driver reaches the age of 70, and every two years thereafter.
Revalidation must be done within the six months preceding the expiry date.
Important: If the driver misses the renewal deadline, even by one day, they must repeat the initial endorsement process if they only hold a Category B or BE licence.
Note: If you hold a Category C (heavy vehicle) licence or higher, you do not need this endorsement.
2) Obtain your Criminal Record Certificate.
You can see how to do it [here].
3) Once you’ve completed all these steps, go to the IMT online portal and follow these steps:
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Step 1: Fill in your personal information
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Step 2: Select “Request Certificate”
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Step 3: Upload your training certificate
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Step 4: Finalize the process
Note: You can also submit your documents and request the TVDE certificate in person at an IMT office. However, the fee is €30 instead of €27 online, and you will also need to fill out and submit IMT Form Model 31.
Validity
The TVDE driver certificate is valid for 5 years, renewable for equal periods, provided that the driver meets the good conduct requirement (via the Criminal Record Certificate) and completes an 8-hour refresher course.
A certificate that is not renewed before its expiry date expires for all legal purposes. Once expired, the certificate cannot be renewed.
In other words, if a TVDE driver certificate (CMTVDE) expires and the holder wishes to continue or resume working as a TVDE driver, they must repeat the full TVDE training course to obtain a new certificate.
The renewal request can be submitted via the IMT online portal up to 6 months in advance, and must include the following documents:
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Certificate of attendance and completion of the 8-hour Road Training course;
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Criminal Record Certificate specifying the role “TVDE Driver”;
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Valid driving licence and Group 2 endorsement;
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Payment of the applicable fee (€30, or €27 if submitted online).