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Model of an old CNH, issued from 2006 to 2015

In Brazil, a driver's licence (officially named Carteira Nacional de Habilitação in Portuguese, shortened as CNH and translated as "National Qualification Card") is required in order to drive cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles. Current CNHs can be used as identity cards in all the national territory.

It was formerly called PGU, but in 2008 CONTRAN (Conselho Nacional de Trânsito, translated as "National Traffic Council") overhauled the system, requiring all driver's holders to re-register, so they could be grouped in Renach (Registro Nacional de Condutores Habilitados, National Register of Qualified Drivers).

Minors, the illiterate and people without an ID card are not allowed to have a CNH.

Required training

Until 2008, 20 hours of theory classes and 15 hours of practical classes were required in order to obtain a CNH. However, from 2009 on, a total of 45 hours of theory classes are required for all categories, these classes now covering the previously optional subjects such as Brazilian traffic law, defensive driving and first aid. After attending the classes, students are subjected to a 30-question test, and are approved if providing at least 21 correct answers. Finally, at least 25 hours of practical lessons must be taken plus more 4 hours of night lessons, and 5 hours in a car simulator, accompanied by an instructor from a certified driving school.

Infractions

When a vehicle is spotted (either by a traffic agent, the police or an automated system such as a speed camera) violating traffic regulations, its owner receives a notification by post, including details of the violation: type; location; the penalty fine; and proof, if available, like pictures taken by speed cameras. Fifteen days after this notification is received, the actual ticket is issued. During these 15 days, the owner can submit a form to inform the traffic authority if they were not the one driving the car when the offence was committed. For example, if Marcos lends his car to Paulo, and Paulo commits a traffic offence, Marcos will receive the notification. He then fills the form with Paulo's information, has Paulo sign it and submit it to the traffic authority within the 15 days. Then all fines and other sanctions for that violation will be issued to Paulo instead of Marcos.

Traffic violations in Brazil issue points against the driver's license. Offences are divided in four categories: "minor" (3 points), "medium" (4 points), "serious" (5 points) and "very serious" (7 points). The points for a traffic violation last for one year, starting at the day of the offence.

If at any time the total score passes 20 points (which means the driver has obtained more than 20 points within one year), the license will be suspended and the local traffic authority will notify the driver, who can enter a defense within the next sixty days. In after the 60 days the traffic authority will decide the duration of the suspension, which can vary from 1 to 24 months. Once the suspension period ends and the driver completes an "offender driver reeducation course", the suspension is terminated.

Temporary CNH

Also called PPD ("Permissão Para Dirigir" translated as "Permission To Drive"). The first driving licence is a 1-year permit. It is basically the same as a fully-fledged licence, but with some particularities regarding infractions and penalties. The permit may be revoked (instead of only suspended) in the case of committing any "very serious" or "serious" infraction, or two "medium" infractions. The 20 points system remains the same. Having the CNH permit revoked means the driver must restart the entire process to acquire a new CNH permit.

Expiration Date

The Brazilian driving licence is valid for 30 days after the expiration date. It means one may still drive for 30 days using the expired licence.

Digital Driver's License

In 2017, the Ministry of Cities (MCID) in partnership with the National Department of Traffic – DENATRAN (currently SENATRAN) and SERPRO launched the digital version of the CNH. For then Minister Bruno Araújo, in addition to streamlining the process, the Digital CNH would offer an innovative way of identification. The Digital CNH (CDT) is the digital version of the CNH with the same legal value as the printed version. The intention of this format is to facilitate the electronic validation, document recovery and greater durability, thus providing mobility, practicality and convenience, in addition to security. The 26 states and the Federal District are already enabled to issue the Digital CNH.^[2]

In general, the Digital Driver's License is an application that stores, on the cell phone, the driver's license and the vehicle document that is in your name, or in the name of another owner, as long as the latter shares the vehicle document through the app. The digital license has the same validity as the printed documents. To enable the Digital CNH, the driver must have the CNH printed with the QR code (issued from 2017 onwards).

Future

New Driving licence with chip

Model of the new Brazilian National Driver's License

The Brazilian National Driving Licence will change from a paper format to a plastic card with a microchip, containing information on the driver.

A resolution of the National Traffic Council (Contran) said that the change would become effective on 1 January 2019.^[3]

The resource will facilitate supervision and will allow the provision of services: such as road user toll payment, public transportation and biometric identification according to the Ministry of Cities.

The new document should increase durability, reduce fraud and enable integration with other countries.^[4]