Light at end of tunnel for drivers in Azores
A longstanding problem for Bermudians seeking to rent vehicles abroad is to go before lawmakers in the regional parliament of the Azores today, in a move welcomed by the Bermuda Government.
The legal limbo that made Bermuda driving licences invalid in the Portuguese territory, despite its cultural links with the island, has resulted in drivers from Bermuda getting blocked from rentals as well as being detained by police and incurring fines in the Azorean courts.
Similar issues were reported in recent years by Bermudians across Europe, in the United States and elsewhere over Bermuda’s failure to sign an international treaty, the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, drawn up to standardise international road safety rules.
Under the treaty, reciprocity of recognition of driving credentials would mean that visitors to Bermuda will be able to use their licences to drive a car on the island.
Andrea Moniz-DeSouza, the Honorary Consul of Portugal in Bermuda, welcomed the “long-awaited progress” in getting a potential solution before the Azorean parliament after “many years of dedicated advocacy”.
Last year, she highlighted the problem to The Royal Gazette as “dangerous” for drivers abroad, saying it had been “an ongoing issue with minister after minister in both governments, and Bermuda has not budged”.
Ms Moniz-DeSouza said she had pressed the issue for “years” with the Bermuda Government, the Azores and the Government of the Republic of Portugal, highlighting “the undue hardship this situation has caused not only for Portuguese Bermudians and Bermudians of Portuguese descent, but for all Bermudians and residents of Bermuda wishing to drive legally while visiting or living in Portugal”.
“The lack of mutual recognition has meant that Bermudians have faced unnecessary obstacles, expenses and administrative burdens when travelling to Portugal — despite the deep historical, cultural and familial ties that bind the two communities.”
She added: “A new proposal to address this longstanding issue is now being submitted to the Azorean regional government by the Partido Popular Monárquico.”
Ms Moniz-DeSouza thanked the PPM for presenting the matter for “discussion and a vote at the level of the Azorean regional government”, and said the Azorean Emigrant Association, over which she presides, had played a “major role” in getting her access to legislators.
She called it “a viable, well-crafted proposal to resolve this outstanding issue once and for all”.
Ms Moniz-DeSouza was hopeful of a positive vote at the regional level for the proposal, and that it would “then proceed to be heard by the Parliament of the Republic of Portugal, paving the way for a fair and practical solution that honours the spirit of reciprocity and the strong bonds between Bermuda and Portugal”.
She said she was confident it would mark “a turning point for the recognition of Bermuda driver’s licences in Portugal — and a meaningful step forward for the many Bermudians who maintain close ties to their Portuguese heritage”.
A summary of the proposal, provided to the Gazette, argued that “strict” standards of reciprocity in international law could leave citizens unprotected.
It said: “For example, a foreign driving licence might not be recognised in Portugal if the issuing country does not have a reciprocity agreement with Portugal.
“Portugal follows the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949) and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968).
“As such, Portugal only recognises foreign driving licences from countries that are parties to these conventions or have a bilateral agreement.
“Tourists with such licences can drive in Portugal for up to 185 days after entering the country, before establishing residence.”
However, Portuguese law does not recognise Bermudian licences because there is no bilateral agreement or reciprocity arrangement.
Ms Moniz-DeSouza pointed out the island’s “strict car ownership limits”, and that car rentals were not permitted on the island until 2017, when minicars could be rented by anyone with “a valid licence, regardless of origin”.
She said the minicar rentals, which would allow Portuguese citizens to drive in Bermuda, could allow Portugal to recognise Bermudian licences, enabling holders to drive in Portugal as tourists for up to 185 days.
Ms Moniz-DeSouza said it would also be argued that Bermudian licence holders who choose to settle in Portugal would be permitted to drive for an additional 90 days after obtaining their residence permit.
“Thereafter, they would then need to apply to exchange their licence at Portugal's Institute for Mobility and Transport without requiring a driving test,” she added.
“This reciprocal arrangement would facilitate greater mobility and strengthen the ties between the two regions.”
Ms Moniz-DeSouza said that roughly 35 per cent of Bermuda’s population was Portuguese or of Portuguese descent, owing to migration since 1849.
She added: “This historical connection supports a more flexible and humanistic interpretation of the reciprocity principle between Portugal and Bermuda.”
She said she was “optimistic that the outcome will garner support from the parliament of the regional government of the Azores, which will allow us to elevate this important issue to the national level”.
“There, I will continue to work alongside the Government of the Azores to advocate for this worthwhile cause.”
Owen Darrell, the transport minister, said he met Ms Moniz-DeSouza yesterday to discuss the matter.
Mr Darrell said: “This is an encouraging development that speaks to the shared recognition of the historical and cultural ties between our communities.
“This initiative plays an important role in improving connectivity and convenience for Bermudians travelling to Portugal and the Azores.”
Mr Darrell said the Government was grateful to Ms Moniz-DeSouza and the PPM for advancing the issue.
He added: “This is good news and we remain optimistic that continued collaboration will lead to a successful resolution.”
• To read Andrea Moniz-DeSouza’s statement in full, see Related Media
You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote.
