I managed another challenge over the last couple of days by successfully registering for my driving licence renewal.
Even more astounding is that I did not have to resort to speaking English in any of the offices.
Because I am now rapidly approaching a milestone birthday I suddenly realised that the mandatory age limit to renew my driving licence is ten years earlier than it is in the UK and a cursory look at my licence confirmed that it expires on my birthday.
I had already researched, online, the required documents to take to IMT and it turns out that I need a medical certificate (Atestado Médica). I cannot renew the licence online because I do not yet have a citizens card (Cartão Cidadão), I cannot book an appointment with IMT because I do not have a social security number (Número Segurança Social) so my only option was to go in person to the office in Castelo Branco.
To obtain a medical certificate I made a visit on Tuesday to the Affidia clinic in Fundão to enquire and was told that the doctor is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 4pm and 6pm. They do not make appointments so it is a case of turn up, wait and see.
I duly returned at just past 4pm on the next day and registered with the reception. After correcting the lady three times with information that she failed to properly copy from my documents, incorrect passport number and expiry date and incorrect birth date, I finally sat in the waiting room for my turn. During which time, other people turned up, were seen and then left, while I continued to sit there.
At 17h42 I was called in to see the doctor who I remember from the time we had to exchange our UK licences. He was very thorough - I had hands, feet and a head, I could see the single letter that he indicated on the eye test chart and I confirmed that I had no diabetes - done. Then we briefly chatted (In Portuguese) about Vale de Prazeres and the great number of different nationalities living here, while he filled out the computer form and printed my certificate. I was complimented on my Portuguese language and we parted with a handshake - things seem to be getting back to normal.
By 17h50 I was waiting to pay the 50€ invoice for the service.
Today, armed with all the relevant paperwork, I took the early train to Castelo Branco and walked to the nearby IMT office. The familiar ticket appointment system is back in use and I got A007, with A005 currently being 'served', things were looking good. It took about 15 minutes for me to get to the desk and it all went quite smoothly, I still had to inform the clerk that we had changed address - even though I have previously updated it on the IMT website and it was on two of the documents that I presented. But I managed that also.
Yet another 30€ lighter, I left the IMT with my temporary licence and a smug feeling over my achievements.
Unfortunately, my earlier 'cleverness' of purchasing a return ticket on the train had backfired. I could have been back at Castelo Branco station in time to catch the intercity train to Fundão and then the post-lunchtime train back to Vale de Prazeres, arriving around 13h30.
I never envisaged that one could get into and back out of a government office in Portugal in such a short timeframe.
As it was, I decided to wait for the regional train due to depart Castelo Branco at 14h39. Well, I had already paid for the ticket.
So, an hour's walking around seeing the sights then into a local café for a little lunch. Another walk around and back to the train station for a cold beer.
What did we learn today? 😂
Home at 15h15.