Want to know more about tire, color, and window tint homologation, and the changes that need to be made to the vehicle registration certificate?

With this article by Catarina S. Gomes – Lawyers in Braga, you will have all your questions answered and discover... lawyers in Portugal for approval processes.

Vehicle Approvals and Conversions

Vehicle type approval is the process by which an entity certifies that a vehicle model or component complies with applicable administrative regulations and technical requirements.

Approval can be:

• Individual, if it is valid for only one vehicle;
• By model, if it is valid for an unlimited number of vehicles of the same model;
• It's a small series, meaning it's valid for a limited number of vehicles.

Depending on the scope of validity, approvals may be valid only for national territory or valid for the European Union.

Requesting a car change involves resorting to... Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT). It is this state entity that grants authorization for the intended modification.

Tyre, colour, and film homologation

The homologation of tires, colors, and window tinting are measures stipulated in Portuguese law. Therefore, anyone wishing to equip their car with different features can do so legally, provided that these specifications comply with the rules set out in the law.

Change the vehicle's characteristics on the registration certificate.

If you make any modifications to your vehicle, you must register them promptly at the enrollment certificate.

Who can make these changes?

Vehicle modifications can be made by anyone who possesses the vehicle's registration certificate. These modifications can be carried out even if the vehicle has not yet been fully paid for.

How and where can I make changes to the vehicle's characteristics on the registration certificate?

You can make changes to your vehicle registration certificate online or at the service counters of the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT).

If you do this via the Internet, you must access the IMT online and authenticate yourself with the Digital Mobile Key, Citizen Card and reader, or through your taxpayer number and access password to the Finance Portal.

To change the tire dimensions Must deliver:

• Vehicle identification document (Registration Certificate or Vehicle Logbook and Title of Ownership);
• Identification document of the applicant;
• Statement issued by the brand (if the measurements you wish to change are not listed in the "special notes" section of the registration certificate);
• IMT Model Form 9 completed and submitted on paper.

To change the vehicle color Must deliver:

• Vehicle identification document (Registration Certificate or Vehicle Logbook and Title of Ownership);
• Identification document of the applicant;
• Completed and submitted IMT Form 9 in paper format.

What kind of changes can be made?

In addition to tire size and vehicle color, you can change the fuel type and request a notation of the vehicle's gross towing weight.

If you intend to convert your vehicle to gas, or if you already have a gas vehicle with a blue sticker that was converted before June 2013, you must:

• Go to an installation/repair company accredited by IMT to obtain a certificate for the installed equipment.
• After obtaining the installed equipment certificate, you must schedule an extraordinary inspection (Inspection B) at one of the vehicle inspection centers. You must present the installed equipment certificate at the time of inspection, along with the vehicle documents. If the vehicle passes the inspection, you will receive a Class B inspection certificate.
• Finally, once you have both certificates, you must request an update to your vehicle's Registration Certificate to reflect the new fuel type. You can do this online through the IMT portal or in person at an IMT service desk.

Whether online or in person, you must submit the following documents:

• Certificate of installed equipment, issued by an installation/repair entity accredited by the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT);
• Certificate of extraordinary inspection (type B), issued by a vehicle technical inspection center;
• Vehicle identification document (Registration Certificate or Vehicle Logbook and Title of Ownership);
• Identification document of the applicant;
• Completed and submitted IMT Form 9 in paper format if requesting the service at a counter.

If you want to request a notation of the vehicle's gross towing weight because this information is not present on the vehicle itself and you intend to tow any vehicle, you must provide:

• Vehicle identification document (Registration Certificate or Vehicle Logbook and Title of Ownership);
• Identification document of the applicant;
• Completed and submitted IMT Form 9 in paper format.

How much does it cost to change the vehicle's characteristics on the registration certificate?

The cost of these changes varies depending on the change you want to make.

Application of Colored Films

Who can apply colored films?

According to Portuguese law, it is possible to apply colored films to the windows of passenger and commercial vehicles, provided they are properly approved.

The films affixed to vehicles belonging to security forces and judicial authorities, corresponding to the cargo area of light goods vehicles or the sanitary compartment of ambulances, are not included in these provisions.

How do I apply colored films?

The application of colored films must be reported to IMT and must include:

• Identification, address, telephone, fax and email of the applicant;
• Nature of the approval sought (initial approval or extension) (approval);
• Brand, model and type of film;
• Trade name, if any;
• Location of the film production unit.

This modification of the vehicle's characteristics requires its registration on the vehicle registration certificate, after its approval in an extraordinary inspection at a category B center.

How much does it cost to apply colored window film?

To apply colored films, a fee of €150 must be paid. Payment must be made at the counter in cash, ATM, or by check payable to IGCP, EPE.

The role of lawyers in the approval and modification of vehicle characteristics in the registration certificate.

Lawyers can play a very important role in the process of changing a registration certificate. Lawyers:

• They assist and advise you in the process of changing your enrollment certificate;
• They assist in obtaining the necessary documents for amending the registration certificate;
• They make your life easier, helping you throughout the entire process!