NOTE: The information below is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as legal advice. This supplemental information was provided to the Embassy by local authorities after a recent change in regulations.

U.S. Driver’s license Exchange- APPLY ONLINE 

U.S. Citizens are entitled to drive in Portugal with their U.S. issued driver’s license for a period no to exceed 185 days, provided they are not legal residents.
After acquiring legal residency, U.S. citizens have 90 days in which to request the exchange of the driver’s license without being required to take a driving test. During that period, U.S. citizens may continue to drive with their driver’s license.
After exhausting the 90 days without making the request, U.S. citizens will not be allowed to continue driving, but they will be allowed to request the exchange without being subject to completion of driving test. They have a deadline of two years counting from the date of acquiring residency to make the request.

U.S. citizens need to present the following document issued in the USA to the local authorities:

An abstract of driving record from the issuing authority in the last state of residence in the United States. Here is the contact info for the DMV The Abstract must attest the authenticity of the driving license, date of issue and expiration date, class of vehicles that you may drive and any suspension and revocation.
The Abstract must be authenticated. The authentication process called an “Apostille” is requested from the State authority. Please follow the link to the US States Designated authorities for authentications

For further information about the driver’s exchange, please visit the Portuguese Government authority website IMT .