In Portugal, scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles with engines up to 50 cc (or electric ones up to 4 kW) are officially called ciclomotores. To ride them legally, you need an AM category driving licence. This is the “youngest” and most basic category — designed for vehicles that can’t go faster than 45 km/h. It covers two- and three-wheeled mopeds, light quadricycles, and even some small agricultural mini-tractors. The whole process is regulated by the IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes) and is quite straightforward, especially compared to categories A or B.
The AM category can be seen as the first step towards getting a licence for a full-sized motorcycle or more powerful scooter. On our website you can rent motorcycles and scooters in Lisbon, but only if you already hold an open A or B category licence.
From what age can you get it?
Regular AM category — from 16 years old. There is also an option for teenagers: from 14 years old you can obtain a special licence (licença especial) if the young person is attending at least 7th grade and had no failing grades in the previous school year. In this case, written parental or guardian consent is mandatory.
In all cases you will need:
- good physical and mental health — confirmed by a medical certificate from a doctor,
- residence in Portugal,
- no court-imposed driving ban.
If a person already has category B and is over 25 years old, they can ride motorcycles up to 125 cc without any additional exams. However, for pure 50 cc vehicles this rule usually doesn’t come into play.
Where to take lessons and sit the exams?
Almost everyone starts with a driving school (escola de condução). They exist in virtually every medium-sized or larger city: Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Faro, Setúbal, Almada, and so on. Some well-known options include:
- schools affiliated with ACP (Automóvel Club de Portugal),
- Prevenção Rodoviária Portuguesa,
- Segurança Máxima,
- and many smaller local schools.
You can find the nearest one on the official website imt-ip.pt (there’s a search by district) or simply Google “escola de condução AM + your city”.
Technically, it is possible to go straight to the exams at an IMT examination centre without attending a school. In practice, hardly anyone does this: for complete beginners it is extremely difficult to pass the practical test first time without any preparation.
The full process step by step
- Gather the documents:
- Cartão de Cidadão or passport + tax number (NIF)
- Medical certificate (atestado médico) from a doctor authorised to issue them (usually €20–50)
- 2 recent passport-style photos For 14–15-year-olds, additionally:
- parental consent + copies of their ID documents
- birth certificate
- school certificate confirming attendance of at least 7th grade and satisfactory performance
- Enrol in a driving school and complete the course. This normally includes 10–15 theory lessons (Road Code, first aid, safety) + several practical lessons on a moped/scooter. For 14-year-olds the programme is slightly shorter but places even greater emphasis on safety. The whole course usually takes 3–4 weeks to 2–3 months, depending on how frequently you attend.
- The exam has two parts:
- Theory test (30 questions, pass mark 21 correct answers, costs ≈ €15)
- Practical test (riding on a closed circuit + a short section in traffic, ≈ €30) Exams are held either at IMT centres or at accredited driving schools. If you already hold another category, the theory part is sometimes waived or simplified.
- Finally, collect your licence. After passing, submit your application at the IMT. The issuance fee is €30. You receive a plastic card valid for 10 years (shorter for younger drivers — sometimes until age 30).
How much does it cost on average?
- Driving school course: €220–550 (includes use of the scooter for practice)
- Medical certificate: €20–50
- Theory + practical exam: ≈ €45
- Licence issuance: €30
Total is usually between €400–750. The biggest expense is the driving school course. Since the programme is the same everywhere, it makes sense to call several schools, compare prices and read reviews about their quality.
A few useful tips
- Before paying anything, check the current rules on imt-ip.pt — things do change from time to time.
- Foreigners with a residence permit or long-term visa can also obtain a Portuguese driving licence.
- For practical lessons always bring a helmet, gloves, closed shoes and a jacket with long sleeves — otherwise you won’t be allowed to ride.
- Didn’t pass first time? You can re-sit after 15 days.
In the end, getting a licence for a 50 cc scooter in Portugal is perfectly doable and not as intimidating as it might seem. The key is to choose a decent school, prepare properly and stay calm during the exam. Any scooter or motorcycle gives you freedom of movement — and, above all, teaches you real responsibility on the road.