According to a technical note issued on Monday (1/12) by the Center for Public Command (CLP), Brazil will no longer be one of the most expensive countries to issue a National Driver’s License (CNH). The analysis comes on the same day that the National Traffic Council (CONTRAN) unanimously approved a resolution approving the federal government’s proposal to end mandatory classes in driving schools. The rule will come into effect after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation, which is scheduled to happen this week.
According to the Foundation, obtaining a driver’s license in Brazil today costs an average of R$3,200, of which R$2,500 is paid for the driving school and R$700 is for the mandatory fees. The value corresponds to approximately 7.8% of the average annual salary of Brazilians, which is R$41,000. On the other hand, in European countries such as France and Germany, for example, the value corresponds to 2.4% and 3.2% of the average annual salary, respectively.
The United States is the leading country with the cheapest driver’s license, according to a CLP survey. Only 0.3% of the cost of an annual salary goes toward obtaining a license. There, the average annual salary is $69,400. The cost of a license ranges from $10 to $89 and tests from $50 to $150, but there are packages that range in price from $200 to $1,800.
North America is followed by Thailand with 0.6% of the cost compared to annual salary, then Portugal with 1.7%. In Portuguese territory, the average monthly salary is just over 25.1 thousand euros. The license costs €400, plus an issuance fee of €30.
Read also
-
Brazil
Driving license without a driving school: when will the new rules come into force?
-
Brazil
Driving license without driving school: understanding the changes with the new approved rules
-
Brazil
Contran approves the end of mandatory lessons in driving schools to obtain a driver’s license
-
Brazil
CNH: The end of the requirements sparks driving schools, which will appeal to the STF
In the CLP’s assessment, the proposal approved by Contran puts the country in line with the international trend to democratize access to licenses. The main goal is to make the process less bureaucratic, reduce costs for citizens, and expand access to driver’s licenses for the millions of Brazilians who do not have a driver’s license.
The CLP also understands, as does the Federal Government, that this measure brings security. “In Brazil, it is estimated that 40% of vehicles in circulation are operated by unlicensed drivers. Empirical analyzes consistently show that unlicensed drivers are at a high risk of being involved in accidents, in addition to appearing with a disproportionate frequency in serious incidents,” the foundation’s memo said.