Overview
In Portugal the driving licence exam has two parts, a theory test (prova teorica) and a practical test (prova pratica). The Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT, Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes) is the authority that issues licences and publishes the theory question bank. You enrol in a driving school, and the school or exam centre handles the fees and the licence request.
This page covers cars and quadricycles (categories B and B1). The IMT pages read for this page do not state the number of questions, the time limit or the pass mark of the theory test, so they are left out here. Ask your driving school or check the IMT site for the current test rules.
Who can apply
For category B you must be at least 18. For category B1 (quadricycles only) the minimum age is 16. A candidate under 18 needs written permission from the person with parental authority, with supporting documents.
You must also:
be physically and mentally fit to drive;
live in Portugal;
not be serving a driving ban or a court measure that bars you from getting a licence;
pass the driving exam.
To enrol with a driving school you present a personal ID document showing you live in Portugal, your tax number, an electronic medical certificate issued by any practising doctor, and, for under 18s, a full birth certificate and the written parental authorisation.
Exam pattern
The exam for categories B and B1 consists of one theory test and one practical test. The IMT publishes the theory questions on its site. Each question has alternative answers and only one is correct, and questions come with their related images. The questions are split into 14 groups for drivers, plus 2 groups for tractors. There are separate groups for professional certificates, such as CAM, taxi (CMT), TVDE and driving instructors.
The IMT updates, changes or replaces the published questions whenever necessary.
Fees
As listed on the IMT site in 2026 for categories B and B1:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Learner licence (licenca de aprendizagem) | 15 EUR |
| Theory test | 15 EUR |
| Practical test | 30 EUR |
| Driving licence | 30 EUR |
The driving school pays these fees. Requests made online get a 10% discount.
How to apply
Enrol in a driving school with the documents above.
The IMT pages show a learner licence (licenca de aprendizagem) as part of the process, with a fee paid by the school.
Sit the theory and practical tests through the driving school or exam centre.
On test day, prove your identity with a valid ID document in good condition, or with the id.gov app, which the IMT treats as equivalent when the exam centre can verify it electronically.
If you need a translator for the theory test, the IMT has a decision on how this works and keeps a list of translators for 2026.
After the exam
After you pass the exams, the school or exam centre requests your first licence. You only need to update your biometric data (photo and signature), either on IMT Online with a valid, activated citizen card or at an IMT counter. The licence is posted to the address on your learner licence.
Preparation tips
Work through the published IMT question groups, as the IMT publishes them as the questions of the theory tests.
Practise the picture-based questions as well as the text ones.
Who pays the exam fees?
For categories B and B1, the IMT says the fees are paid by the driving school.
How old do I have to be?
18 for category B, or 16 for category B1 with written permission from a parent or guardian.