Law No. 38-A/2023 of 2 August established a pardon of sentences and an amnesty for offences on the occasion of World Youth Day held in Portugal, and entered into force on 1 September 2023.

Serious and very serious road traffic offences for which ancillary penalties, such as driving disqualification and vehicle impoundment, were imposed were covered by the pardon granted to all drivers, regardless of age, provided that the offences were committed up to 00:00 on 19 June 2023 and that the maximum applicable fine did not exceed €1,000.

The amnesty applies only to ancillary penalties. Accordingly, the payment of traffic fines remains mandatory, irrespective of whether the offences are classified as minor, serious or very serious. Notwithstanding the amnesty, both the recording of the offence in the Driver Offences Register (Registo de Infrações do Condutor – RIC) and the corresponding penalty points on the driving licence continue to be recorded.