Getting a Brazilian Driving Licence

A valid driving licence (Carteira Nacional de Habilitação - CNH) is compulsory for anyone driving any type of motor vehicle on the roads in Brazil. The licence must be carried on all journeys and must be presented on demand by law enforcement officials.

Some foreigners in Brazil may exchange their licence for a temporary Brazilian one, some may exchange their licence for a full Brazilian driving licence, while yet others may not exchange their licence and will need to take a full driving test (theory and practical) in order to get a Brazilian driving licence.

• For details on exchanging a driver's licence, see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Brazil

Licence holders may only drive a vehicle in the category (or categories) for which their licence is valid. The minimum driving age is 18. 

Obtaining a Provisional Driver's Licence

To begin driving instruction, an individual will need to apply for a provisional driving licence. A provisional driving licence can only be applied for at a driving school (autoescola) directly or at a driving school through a despachante. It is only valid for driving lessons, until the person passes the practical test, and a holder of a provisional driving licence can not drive alone with it.

The documents required when applying for a provisional driving licence are as follows:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of address 
• Individual Taxpayer’s Card (Cadastro de Pessoa Física - CPF)

Despachante

Despachante is the term used throughout Brazil for a professional who works in the area of vehicle documentation and registration on behalf of a vehicle owner.

Among other things, a despachante can apply for new or lost driving licenses, register vehicles and oversee the transfer of a vehicle from one person to another.

It is highly recommended to use the services of a despachante when dealing with vehicle documentation administration in Brazil.

The Driving Test in Brazil

The driving test in Brazil consists of four main parts. These tests must be organised through a driving school (autoescola) and cannot be arranged directly through the issuing Brazilian State Transport Department (Departamento Estadual de Trânsito - DETRAN) office.

Most driving schools offer packages whereby the whole course, including being taken to DETRAN for the necessary tests is included. One fee is paid directly to the school and they make all the required payments for the exams and tests involved.

The Brazilian driving test involves four steps:

1. Medical test (exame medico): This involves a general medical exam and will also include an eyesight and reactions test. This must be done at a DETRAN recommended medical clinic.
2. Psychological behaviour/logic exam (exame psicotécnico): This test is to assess the person's mental suitability to drive. When completed the individual will receive a certificate which allows them to proceed to the next stage. This must be done at a DETRAN recommended medical clinic.
3. Road theory and law instruction and test (teórico de legislação de trânsito): A minimum of 30 hours of instruction regarding the highway code, driving law and theory conducted by a public instructor or a qualified private instructor in Portuguese is required. At the end of the instruction, a written test in Portuguese must be successfully completed at the DETRAN office closest to the residence of the applicant, and can only be booked by the driving school (auto-escola). When the exam is successfully completed, the individual will receive a certificate which allows them to proceed to the next stage. 
4. Practical training and test (exame pratico): A minimum of 15 hours of guided instruction in a vehicle is mandatory. A certificate is issued to confirm completion of this training, after which a practical test at DETRAN must successfully be completed. Appointments for the test are made by the driving school. During the test, a government inspector accompanies the applicant through a series of manouevres. The applicant is notified immediately of a pass or fail on completion of the practical test. 

It is not possible to take the theory or practical test with an interpreter or a translator and the test can not be taken in English.  

Once a candidate has successfully completed each stage of the driving test they will be issued with a probationary license (this usually takes two weeks to process). The probationary licence is valid for one year and allows the individual to drive any vehicle in their license category. If any violation is committed in that year, the license is revoked. If no violations occur, a Carteira Nacional de Habilitação is issued immediately.

Licence Renewal

A Carteira Nacional de Habilitação is valid for either five or ten years. For each renewal, the licence holder must re-take the medical exams which include a blood pressure test, eye-sight test and a hearing test.

It is up to the individual renewing their licence to arrange a medical exam with a doctor accredited by DETRAN. A small fee is payable for the exam. On successful completion of the medical exam a certificate and receipt are issued and these are taken to the DETRAN office closest to the applicant's residence with two recent passport-size photos. A new Carteira Nacional de Habilitação will then be prepared and issued to the person immediately.

• To find a local DETRAN office: Click here and select the state of residence

Lost or Stolen Brazilian Driving Licences

If a CNH is lost or stolen, a person must apply for a replacement card (segunda via or 2ª Via).

A replacement CNH can be arranged in person, through a despachante at the DETRAN office closest to the applicant's residence, or via the Internet.

The following documents will be required:

• Original and copy of the Individual Taxpayer’s Card
• One recent colour passport-size photo
• Copy of the declaration of loss notarised at a local registry office
• Proof of residence from the previous three months (bank statements or utility bills) as well as a photocopy of each

These documents must be taken to the setor 2ª Via da CNH (Division 2) at the local DETRAN office, where an application form will be available. The applicant will then need to pay a tax at the Banco Noss Caixa (in São Paulo this is next to the DETRAN building). Applicants should then return to the setor 2ª Via da CNH with proof of payment to collect their new card.

• To apply online: Click here (in Portuguese)
• For further information from DETRAN: Click here (in Portuguese)

Like many administrative tasks in São Paulo, renewals of driving licences can also be carried out at a one-stop service centre known as Poupatempo (literally meaning timesaver).

• To find a local Poupatempo office: Click here

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Driving in Brazil
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Brazil