Azorean lawmakers will ask mainland Portugal to end a legal grey area that has blocked Bermudians from renting vehicles in the territory.

The Azorean Parliament voted unanimously yesterday to recommend that the national Government of Portugal recognise Bermuda driving licences.

A discrepancy in international agreements had rendered the island’s licences invalid in the Portuguese archipelago — blocking many Bermudians from renting cars and even resulting in fines and arrests.

Ratifying a reciprocity agreement would enable Bermudians to rent and drive vehicles in the Azores and throughout Portugal.

Andrea Moniz-DeSouza, the Honorary Consul of Portugal in Bermuda and president of the Azorean Emigrant Association, welcomed the move.

She said: “This important step not only strengthens the ties between our communities but also enhances the mobility and opportunities available to Bermudians visiting or residing in Portugal.

“The Azorean Government’s recommendation to the national Government of the Portuguese Republic to adopt this law reflects our commitment to fostering connections and facilitating travel for our emigrants, expatriates and visitors from Bermuda.”

Ms Moniz-DeSouza added: “I am eager to participate in the forthcoming lobbying efforts at the national level over the next few months to advocate for this crucial legislative change.

“This initiative represents a significant advancement in the recognition of the contributions and presence of our community abroad and I look forward to working alongside officials and stakeholders to see the law implemented effectively.”

The problem emanated from Bermuda’s failure to sign on to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, which standardised international road safety rules.

Under the treaty, citizens of participating states have universally recognised driving credentials and are able to rent vehicles in other participating states.

Because of Bermuda’s absence from the treaty, similar issues have been reported by Bermudians visiting Europe, the United States and elsewhere.

The Ministry of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport announced in July that it was advocating to get the legal issue fixed.

Later that month, the Azorean Parliament said the issue would go before local courts for review.

Ms Moniz-DeSouza has campaigned at length for a fix, describing the problem as “dangerous” to Bermudians.

Yesterday, she told The Royal Gazette: “The Secretário of Communities, Paulo Estevao, just called me after the vote and thanked me for all our help and not giving up on this.”

She said she had been asked to join a delegation to Portugal in mid-October to “get our message across” to all political parties in the republic ahead of a vote.