the government will announce automatic renewal for “good drivers”; see the rules

At g1, Renan Filho said the government would launch the Brazilian CNH app this Tuesday, during a ceremony at the Palácio do Planalto. After that, the new rules must be published in an additional edition of the Official Journal of the Union; once registered, they will come into force immediately.

The minister also stressed that the government will announce the automatic and free renewal of driving licenses for “good drivers”. The driver will receive this seal and be entitled to the benefit if they have no violation points on their registered license in the year preceding the renewal of their driver’s license. There will be no change in the document renewal deadline.

— If you don’t commit a traffic violation, you don’t need the state to get you in trouble. If you drive well, that’s a sign that you don’t need another test. If you did not score a point, it means you are not committing an infraction. And if you’re driving and haven’t committed any violations, there’s no point. It is simply a matter of bringing the citizen back to the public body — underlined Renan Filho.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the reformulation aims to reduce costs and make the process more accessible, in a scenario in which, according to official data, around millions of Brazilians drive without a license.

For the government, flexibility can reduce the number of people who drive without a license and expand access to training. In addition to the 20 million irregular drivers, there are 30 million Brazilians who are old enough to obtain a driving license, but have not started the process, according to the National Traffic Secretariat (Senatran).

It is hoped that, thanks to the new rules, the entry of these groups will be facilitated, especially in regions where driving schools are rare or financially inaccessible.

The new model makes theoretical courses and practical courses more flexible. The theoretical content will be offered free of charge in digital format by the government and the candidate will be able to study remotely, in person or with accredited entities. There will no longer be a predefined minimum workload: previously, course hours were compulsory.

The changes in practical courses are even more significant. The mandatory workload drops from 20 hours to just 2 hours, and it will be possible to train with an approved independent instructor or in traditional driving schools. The candidate can also use their own vehicle during the courses and the practical exam, provided that it meets the requirements established by the Brazilian Highway Code.

The figure of the “autonomous instructor”, now regulated, opens up a space for professionals approved by Detrans who will be able to offer training without links to driving schools. The government promises free training and an integrated inspection course via the digital traffic map.

Tests remain mandatory

The evaluation stages – theoretical test and practical exam – remain intact. Transport Minister Renan Filho has already said the aim is to shift the focus from class numbers to test performance, a model adopted in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.

Possible savings

The government estimates that with this flexibility, the cost of obtaining a driving license could fall by up to 80%. Today, depending on the state and the driving school, the total value can reach R$5,000.

A survey commissioned by the Ministry of Transport itself showed that price is the main reason why a third of Brazilians do not start the licensing process.

Professional drivers will also be affected