How do I present a defense?

Should you wish to respond to the notice of infraction, you may present a defense, within 15 working days from notification.

The defense should be addressed to the President of the National Road Safety Authority and presented in writing, in Portuguese, and contain the following elements:

• Infraction number (composed of nine digits and which can be found in the upper-right corner of the notification);
• Identification of the defendant by name;
• Statement of the facts, reasoning and request;
• Signature of the defendant or, where applicable, of the authorized representative who must attach the power of attorney for this purpose or a legal representative.
• The defendant, in the defense must indicate clearly the facts upon which it bases the proof, under penalty of denial of the evidence presented and, if he so wishes, he may call witnesses up to a limit of 3. The witnesses indicated by the defendant in the defense should be present on the date, time and place indicated by the entity instructing the proceeding.

Location for submission of the defense:

• By registered mail to the National Road Safety Authority, located at the Science and Technology Park of Oeiras, Avenida de Casal de Cabanas, Urbanização de Cabanas Golf, n. º 1, Tagus Park, 2734-507 Barcarena,

or

• ​Personally at the Infraction Section of the District Command of the PSP or at the Citizen Service Office of District Command/Traffic Detachment of the GNR, of the area of residence of the defendant, for which contact information may be consulted here in​​.