Renew driving licence abroad

You really need to exchange your licence for a Portuguese one, preferably before it expires. To do so you will have to follow local regulations
A UK valid licence can be used in the EU but you cannot have a non UK address on a UK licence (so a bit of a catch 21 situation) They won't renew it with a non UK address.
I had to do this to get a valid licence in France. If I were you though I would also take and keep a photocopy of your licence. Here in France they take away the original . I'd rather keep evidence that I passed and held a licence in the UK for if I ever return.

I live in Spain and as a resident I have to have a spanish license. My son passed his driving test in Spain but returned to UK and after 6 months had to change his license to a UK one .

Hi Jay!

I think you will be able to, but it will complicate things. You have to fill in the DVLA renewal form which is paper-based, not online. The form asks for the name and address of your doctor and consultant. The DVLA write to your consultant to ask about your fitness to drive. So, your Spanish consultant would have to fill in a DVLA form I guess. You don't send in any evidence as such - they contact the medics directly.

In your situation, you'd probably be best ringing the DVLA and explaining and asking them what to do.

Smidge

Hi JayPRocks,

I'm in similar situation, but based in Dubai,UAE. I regularly see a Consultant here locally and also have good control. Can I ask what did the DVLA advise you regarding the GP address and Consultants details on the forms? I have a UK address so can use that but more worried about declaring indirectly that I don't permanently live in UK, and therefore won't be allowed UK license. I have a UAE license and I am not required by their processes to give up my UK one in exchange.

Any advise you can offer would be gratefully received.

Thanks,
Ruth