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Using US Drivers License

1 year ago
Hi everyone.

I currently reside in Italy but I can't drive here because they have no drivers license exchange with any US state, and I haven't taken the Italian driving test yet, which must be done within 12 months of residency.

I want to explore around Portugal with a possible move in mind and was anticipating taking trains/buses but a thought just occurred to me that I might have another option.

My state-issued US license hasn't expired and I was wondering if I can drive on it as a "tourist" in Portugal even though I'm a resident of Italy. Since Portugal will do a license exchange for a resident with a valid US license, I thought that might be a possibility.

I've researched the question but can't find anything that answers that question so I thought I'd ask here in case anyone knows. It would make exploring Portugal a lot easier if I could rent a car.

Note: I have an EU residency permit so I can live in any EU country as long as I meet the financial and health insurance requirements, which I do, so there aren't any visa issues that I will need to address.

Thanks in advance!

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Cigna Global Health
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