UK and Portugal tighten driving licence regulations

In the United Kingdom, a single offence involving the use of a mobile phone while driving can trigger the revocation of a newly issued licence. The offence carries six penalty points and a £200 fine; if a driver accumulates six points within the first two years after passing the test, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) cancels the licence and the driver must re‑apply for a provisional licence and retake both the theory and practical exams.

In Portugal, the government approved a new regime for driver‑training that expands the role of a qualified tutor. Under the revised legal framework, practical lessons may be conducted with a tutor or a certified instructor, while the final exam remains mandatory. Tutors must have held a category B licence for at least ten years, have no recent serious traffic convictions, and complete a road‑safety module. The changes aim to increase flexibility in driver education without compromising safety standards.