We've been hearing horror stories

[JanB]

From all over Portugal about getting the Portuguese driving licence and the medical beforehand.


Last time we tried, Grumpy had to have an eye test (50€) and the doctor we had then said that he probably shouldn't be driving because he'd just been diagnosed with copd Because he cannot tell the difference between red, blue and green (brown is a bit dodgy too ) he was told he couldn't drive unless he went to Lisbon, to be "cured"

And speaking to other people in other parts of the country, it seems to be hit and miss with the medical. Some sail through it, some are asked what colour the wall is, some have been given a proper eye test, by the doctor.

So off we went, this morning, to see Dra Ana. Not seen her before and what a lovely lady she is Asked for our current driving licences, we talked about that brexit word, she asked if Keith had any disease - I didn't get asked anything, apart from asking if I wore my glasses all the time. Grumpy was asked if he wore glasses to drive - no - and that was it We have the forms to take to IMTT in Beja

We have to take copies of our residência, attestao, passport and the hand over our English driving licences, 30 euro and then wait. We'll be given a piece of paper to say that we're waiting for our new liccences, but that only lasts a couple of months.

And then we have to do it all again in September, as Grumpy will be 72 in October and after 70, you have to renew every 2 years. I'll have to renew mine in a couple of years.

[saundra]

Glad it was ok Jan and you got the forms alright and you had a nice doctor a bonus

[Kaz]

Phew! xx

[Workingman]

Jan, I am similar to Grumpy.... but the good news is that we have been saved. We are no longer colour blind we now have colour vision deficiency, Huzzar!

Seriously, I cannot really see what difference it makes to driving. Different types of road signs have different shapes depending on what information is being given - circular, triangular or rectangular. They could all be in greyscale and still be understood.

Don't know about Grumpy, but I have the most difficulty with some shades of blue and purple, brown and green, and orange and green. It is not so much the colours in themselves, but with hue and saturation. I have played about with this on the computer and only a slight change in hue or saturation brings out the colours.

On a side note: I am very good with patterns. I often see them long before my colour perfect friends do.

[jenniren]

Gosh that is a palaver Jan

Much easier over here, I just filled in a form online and the new licence was delivered within a couple of days.

[AliasAggers]

Seriously, I cannot really see what difference it makes to driving. Different types of road signs have different shapes
depending on what information is being given - circular, triangular or rectangular. They could all be in greyscale and still be understood..

But what about Red, Amber and Green traffic lights?

[Workingman]

But what about Red, Amber and Green traffic lights?

If a driver does not know that:

Top = Red
Middle = Amber
Bottom = Green

then they probably should not be driving.

However, and on a serious note, there are very few drivers with colour vision deficiency who do not have their own versions of red, amber and green. They might not be as 'pure' as those seen by people with perfect colour vision, but they are still red, amber and green.

Even those who are totally colour blind still can differentiate in greyscale - think of your old black and white TV as an example.

Warning: Some of us with imperfect colour vision, me, have been known to wind up people with perfect vision... just for a laugh.

[JanB]

We've been testing him over the last couple of days. Green is okay, as long as it's not near red or brown.

It's a palaver Jen, because of this brexit nonsense, we now have to have Portuguese licences. Changing Grumpy's English one, when he got to 70, was a piece of cake. I did it on line