Traffic rulesBrazil

Brazil’s national driving licence is the Carteira Nacional de Habilitação (CNH). It records the categories of vehicle the holder may drive, the document’s validity and any medical or administrative restrictions.

The National Traffic Council (Contran) issues national rules, the National Traffic Secretariat (Senatran) manages national systems and standards, and each state or the Federal District operates services through its Detran.

The principal law is the Brazilian Traffic Code (Código de Trânsito Brasileiro or CTB), supplemented by Contran resolutions, Senatran ordinances and state-level service procedures.

The Registro Nacional de Carteiras de Habilitação (Renach) is the national driver record containing identification data, examinations, licence events, restrictions and traffic-related entries.

CNH do Brasil is the federal digital platform and app used for services such as starting a first-licence process, taking the federal theory course, viewing digital documents and consulting driver information.

Yes. The official digital CNH has the same legal validity as the physical document when displayed through an authorised government application.

Yes. Contran Resolution 1,020/2025 introduced a more flexible process, including a federal online theory course, no nationally fixed minimum duration for theory training, a minimum of two practical hours for categories A and B, authorised independent instructors and an open-ended application period.

Applicants should check the official website or service portal of the Detran in their state or the Federal District, together with the CNH do Brasil platform.

A candidate must be criminally responsible in Brazil, which normally means being at least 18 years old.

Yes. The CTB requires a first-licence candidate to know how to read and write.

The candidate must have an accepted identity document or equivalent and a CPF. The Detran may request additional documents to confirm residence and civil data.

A first-time candidate may apply for category A, category B, both AB, or the ACC authorisation for ciclomotors.

No. Those categories require previous driving experience in a lower category and other eligibility conditions.

Yes. The candidate must attend the competent Detran or authorised service point for collection or confirmation of a facial image, signature and fingerprints.

The national sequence includes the initial request, theory course, Renach and biometrics, psychological assessment, physical and mental fitness examination, theory test, practical instruction, practical test, issue of the provisional permit and later issue of the definitive document.

Under Resolution 1,020/2025, the process remains open for an indefinite period and ends only in the circumstances specified by the regulation.

Yes. A candidate may pursue categories A and B concurrently, but must complete the category-specific practical requirements and practical test for each.

No. The current national model allows theory study through different authorised channels and practical instruction with an authorised independent instructor or an instructor linked to an authorised organisation.

Brazilian law permits fine revenue to fund first-licence costs for eligible low-income candidates included in CadÚnico. Availability and selection depend on government programmes and local implementation.

Yes. Completion of an approved theory course remains a stage of the first-licence process.

No. Resolution 1,020/2025 removed a nationally predetermined minimum duration for the first-licence theory course.

It may be offered by Senatran through its digital platform, by authorised driving schools, specialised distance-learning providers, public traffic schools or other authorised traffic-system bodies.

The theory course supplied directly through the federal CNH do Brasil platform is intended as a free public option.

The syllabus includes traffic law, road signs, safe and defensive driving, first aid, citizenship, environmental responsibility and the safe operation of vehicles.

The national examination contains 30 questions drawn from the National Question Bank.

The candidate must obtain at least 20 correct answers.

The examination lasts at least one hour. The permitted time is doubled for candidates with dyslexia, ADHD or autism-spectrum disorder under the national rule.

The national regulation provides the examination content in Portuguese, which the candidate must understand regardless of nationality.

The candidate may retake the examination without a limit on the number of attempts until passing.

The national regulation permits the second attempt without an additional examination fee. Other costs or scheduling conditions should be checked with the Detran.

Yes. The candidate must pass an examination of physical and mental fitness performed by an authorised traffic-medicine examiner.

Yes. A psychological assessment is part of the first-licence process.

Yes. The examiner may impose restrictions or adaptations, such as corrective lenses, hearing support, an adapted vehicle, an automatic transmission or a shorter medical-validity period.

No. Fitness is assessed individually. A candidate may be found fit, fit with restrictions, temporarily unfit or permanently unfit depending on the condition and the applicable medical standards.

Yes. Review and appeal procedures are available under Detran and Contran rules. The candidate should follow the deadline and procedure stated in the result notice.

Yes. Current federal law requires a negative long-window toxicological test as a condition for obtaining the first provisional licence in categories A and B.

No. The 2-year-and-6-month periodic testing rule applies to category C, D and E holders under 70, not to ordinary A or B holders.

The CTB requires a detection window of at least 90 days for the relevant long-window examination.

Yes. A negative result is required for obtaining and renewing categories C, D and E, together with the periodic testing rules applicable to those drivers.

A new examination is required every 2 years and 6 months, counted from issue or renewal, regardless of the ordinary medical-validity date.

Yes. A driver with the Exerce Atividade Remunerada (EAR) annotation is subject to psychological assessment at the intervals and procedures required for that status.

It is the official digital learning authorisation issued after theory-test approval, allowing practical instruction in the requested category under direct supervision.

No. Practical driving on public roads must be continuously supervised by an authorised traffic instructor.

Training may be provided by an authorised independent instructor or by an authorised instructor linked to a driving school, public traffic school or traffic-system body.

No. An authorised independent instructor is permitted under the national framework.

The national minimum is two hours of practical driving instruction.

At least two hours must be completed for category A and at least two hours for category B.

Not necessarily. It is only the statutory minimum. The candidate and instructor should arrange enough practice to achieve safe, consistent control and meet the examination standard.

Yes. The vehicle may be supplied by the instructor or the candidate, provided it satisfies the legal, identification and safety requirements for instruction.

No. A relative may supervise only if that person is also an authorised traffic instructor acting under the required procedure.

After the required practical instruction has been recorded in Renach. For ACC, the specific route under the national regulation may permit the test after theory approval without mandatory practical lessons.

Yes. A candidate who requires adaptations should train and test in a vehicle that complies with the medical restrictions and Detran requirements.

The Detran with jurisdiction over the candidate’s declared residence or domicile administers the examination under national standards.

The final evaluation belongs to an examination commission appointed by the competent authority. The candidate may be accompanied in the vehicle by an authorised representative who gives route instructions and records relevant events.

Yes. The authority may use cameras, sensors or other monitoring systems under the national rules.

Yes. The authority or the candidate may provide the vehicle, and a third party’s vehicle may also be used if it satisfies all requirements.

The candidate starts at zero and receives penalty points for traffic infringements committed during the examination.

A light infringement has weight 1, a medium infringement weight 2, a serious infringement weight 4 and a very serious infringement weight 6.

The final score must be 10 points or less.

Yes. The commission may stop it if repeated lack of technical control makes continuation unsafe or if the candidate shows severe emotional instability or incompatible behaviour.

The result is entered in Renach and the provisional Permissão para Dirigir (PPD) is issued automatically.

The candidate may take further practical examinations without a national limit on attempts.

Yes. The candidate may use the Detran review or appeal procedure and should preserve the result sheet and any available electronic evidence.

The PPD is the provisional driving document issued after first-licence approval, before the definitive CNH or ACC.

It is valid for one year from its issue date.

Yes. Once the PPD has been issued, the holder may drive vehicles in the authorised category without instructor supervision.

During the 12-month provisional period, the driver must not commit a serious or very serious offence and must not be a repeat offender for medium offences.

No. A light offence alone is not one of the statutory disqualifying events for the PPD.

Normally no. The statutory restriction concerns repetition of medium offences during the provisional period.

Yes, once the infringement is finally confirmed through the administrative process.

Yes, once it becomes administratively final.

The definitive document may be issued automatically while there is no final administrative decision. If the offence is later finally confirmed, the definitive document can be cancelled.

Yes. Under the current national regulation, it replaces the PPD automatically after the one-year period when the legal conditions are met.

The driver must restart the complete first-licence process to obtain a new driving qualification.

The Autorização para Conduzir Ciclomotor authorises the driving of vehicles legally classified as ciclomotors. Category A also covers them.

Category A covers motorised vehicles with two or three wheels, with or without a sidecar.

Category B covers motor vehicles outside category A with a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg and no more than eight passenger seats, excluding the driver.

Yes. A category B holder may drive a motorhome with a weight up to 6,000 kg, provided its passenger capacity does not exceed eight places excluding the driver.

Yes, within the combination rules. The towing vehicle must remain within category B and the coupled unit must be below the threshold that requires category E, while all registration and maximum train-weight limits must be respected.

Category C includes category B vehicles and motor vehicles used for freight transport with a gross vehicle weight above 3,500 kg.

Category D includes vehicles in categories B and C and passenger vehicles with more than eight passenger seats, excluding the driver.

Category E covers specified vehicle combinations where the tractor unit is in B, C or D and the coupled unit has a gross weight of at least 6,000 kg, has more than eight passenger seats, or the combination has more than one trailed unit.

The driver must have held category B for at least one year, meet the serious-offence record condition, pass the required toxicological and medical checks, complete the specialised practical training and pass the category test.

The candidate must be at least 21 years old.

The driver must normally have held category B for at least two years or category C for at least one year.

The driver must normally have held category C for at least one year.

Resolution 1,020/2025 sets a minimum of 10 hours for the specialised practical course used in a category change.

Exerce Atividade Remunerada is the annotation showing that the driver uses a vehicle for paid work. It is not a separate vehicle category.

No. The driver must also hold the correct category, satisfy the minimum age and experience rules, and complete any mandatory specialised course.

Brazilian law permits the document to be issued in digital or physical form according to the driver’s choice and the applicable service procedure.

The physical and mental fitness examination is normally valid for 10 years for a driver under 50.

The normal period is five years.

The normal period is three years.

Yes. A medical examiner may set an earlier expiry where a health condition requires more frequent review.

The CTB classifies driving with a licence expired for more than 30 days as a very serious offence. The driver should renew promptly rather than treating the grace period as an extension of fitness.

The driver updates the registration where required, completes the physical and mental fitness examination and any additional assessment or toxicological requirement applicable to the licence and occupation.

Yes. A driver who exercises remunerated activity is subject to the psychological-assessment requirement at renewal.

A valid negative toxicological result is required, and the driver must also remain compliant with the periodic 2-year-and-6-month test when under 70.

A driver registered in the Registro Nacional Positivo de Condutores (RNPC) may receive an automatically processed renewal when the statutory conditions are met.

No. Under Law 15,428/2026, the physical and mental fitness examination remains required even where the licence is renewed automatically through the good-driver mechanism.

Yes. The driver can request a second copy or use the valid digital document while arranging the replacement, subject to Detran procedures.

Yes. The driver can transfer the record to the Detran of the new residence or domicile, which may require updated identification, address and biometric data.

A driver licensed in a country covered by an applicable convention, agreement or reciprocity arrangement may drive for up to 180 days from entry into Brazil, provided the foreign licence remains valid.

It starts on the date the driver enters Brazilian territory.

The driver should carry the valid foreign licence, an identity document and proof of the date of entry. A valid International Driving Permit must accompany the foreign licence where required under the applicable convention or practical circumstances.

No. It is a translation and standardised international document that must be used together with the underlying national licence.

To continue, a recognised foreign-licence holder must normally complete the Brazilian physical and mental fitness examination and psychological assessment and obtain a CNH corresponding to the recognised category.

The driver may have to exchange it through a procedure that includes the physical and mental fitness examination, psychological assessment and practical driving examination.

Yes. Foreign drivers are subject to the CTB, local traffic rules, enforcement measures and penalties while driving in Brazil.

Yes. Brazilian authorities can restrict the use of the foreign licence in Brazil and retain the document under the procedures applicable to a suspension-triggering offence.

Yes, subject to the foreign-licence rules, but the person must prove normal residence in the issuing country for at least six months when the foreign licence was issued.

It is the Permissão Internacional para Dirigir (PID).

It is generally valid for up to three years or until the underlying CNH expires, whichever occurs first.

A light offence carries 3 points, a medium offence 4, a serious offence 5 and a very serious offence 7, unless the offence is excluded from point counting by law.

The ordinary threshold is assessed over a rolling 12-month period.

The threshold is 40 points.

The threshold is 30 points.

The threshold is 20 points.

For a driver exercising remunerated activity, the point threshold is 40 points regardless of the number of very serious offences, subject to the statutory conditions.

Yes. Several offences carry a specific, direct suspension penalty, such as drink-driving, refusing the required alcohol test and certain extreme-speed or dangerous-driving offences.

Yes. The driver must complete the required curso de reciclagem before the licence is returned or the right to drive is restored.

No. Payment does not erase points. They remain relevant for the statutory counting period unless removed through a successful challenge or the legally defined process.

Yes. The notification provides deadlines for identifying the actual driver where applicable, submitting a defence and lodging administrative appeals.

Cassation is a more serious cancellation of the driving qualification, distinct from a temporary suspension.

It can occur if a person drives while suspended, repeats certain specified serious offences within 12 months, or is judicially convicted of a traffic crime in circumstances covered by the CTB.

After two years, the person may apply for rehabilitation and must complete the examinations required by law.

Brazil applies a zero-tolerance rule: any alcohol concentration can trigger the administrative drink-driving provisions, subject only to technical measurement margins.

It is a very serious offence carrying a ten-times fine, a 12-month suspension, collection of the driving document and retention of the vehicle until a qualified driver is presented.

The fine is doubled, in addition to the other applicable legal consequences.

A person may physically refuse, but refusal itself is a very serious administrative offence carrying the same ten-times fine and 12-month suspension framework.

Yes. Authorities may use clinical examination, video, witness observations, behavioural signs and other legally accepted evidence.

Driving with psychomotor capacity altered by alcohol or another dependence-producing substance may constitute a criminal offence, with detention, a fine and suspension or prohibition from licensing.

Yes. It applies to all drivers, and a final very serious drink-driving offence during the PPD year also threatens the definitive CNH.

Driving under the influence of another psychoactive substance that causes dependence is also prohibited and can lead to administrative and criminal consequences.

A driver should follow medical advice and medicine warnings. Sedatives, opioids, some antihistamines and other medicines can impair reaction time even when legally prescribed.

The driver should stop driving where necessary, seek medical advice and contact the Detran if a new examination, restriction or adapted vehicle may be required.

Failing to complete the test after the statutory deadline is a very serious infringement, and driving after the additional 30-day period can trigger further penalties.

This FAQ was prepared from the consolidated Brazilian Traffic Code, current federal legislation, Contran Resolution 1,020/2025, Senatran material and official Detran guidance. State-specific fees and appointment workflows were treated as variable rather than presented as uniform national rules.

• Presidency of the Republic: consolidated Brazilian Traffic Code
• Contran Resolution 1,020/2025: learning, licensing and driver documents
• Senatran Ordinance 923/2025: course content and training requirements
• Ministry of Transport: CNH do Brasil
• Law 15,153/2025: low-income licensing support and toxicological testing
• Law 15,428/2026: driver documents, examinations and good-driver renewal
• Senatran: foreign licences and international driving documents
• Brazilian Manual of Driving Examinations
• Ministry of Transport: 18 years of the Lei Seca

Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with Senatran, Contran, a Detran, an examination authority, clinic, instructor or driving school.

The information is general guidance and does not replace the CTB, official notices or instructions issued for an individual application.