President Luiz Inácio Lula of Silva sanctioned this Friday the law that allows the automatic renewal of Carteira Nacional from Habilitação for drivers considered good drivers. The standard changes Código from Trânsito Brasileiro and was published in Diário Oficial from União. The measure has already been in force through a provisional measure since December 2025.
The sanction occurred without vetoes. The text defines clear criteria so that the driver is entitled to renewal at no cost and in a simplified manner. Motoristas who meet the requirements do not need to appear in person at Detran for the process.
Exame doctor remains mandatory after changes to Congresso
The original draft of the provisional measure dispensed with the physical and mental fitness exam for good drivers. Congresso Nacional, however, reinstated the requirement during the processing. With the final version sanctioned, the exam is once again mandatory even for those who do not have points on their driver’s license.
Essa change was the main point of adjustment between the government and parliamentarians. The mandatory examination guarantees the maintenance of security criteria in the license renewal process.
The national public price for physical, mental and psychological aptitude exams will be set by the União’s highest executive transit body. The table replaces previous state variations.
Critérios to be considered a good driver
The law establishes specific requirements for qualifying as a good driver. The driver must comply with all of the following items in the 12 months prior to the expiration of the driver’s license.
- Não have points registered in the wallet
- Não record traffic violations subject to scoring
- Estar subscribed to Registro Nacional Positivo of Condutores
Secretaria Nacional from Trânsito reported that, since the provisional measure was issued, around 2 million drivers have already had their driver’s license renewed automatically.
Emissão of the physical driver’s license becomes a paid option
The law also makes issuing the document in physical format optional. Drivers who prefer the printed version must go to an Detran unit and pay the corresponding fee. The digital version remains available at no additional cost.
Essa change represents yet another simplification in drivers’ daily lives. The digital driver’s license is already widely used in the official application.
Mudanças in the first qualification for categories A and B
The sanctioned standard confirms changes for those seeking their first license in categories A, for motorcycles, and B, for passenger vehicles. The theoretical course is no longer exclusive to driving schools.
Candidates can opt for free content on the government’s digital platform, traditional driving school or a combination of both forms. The minimum workload of 45 theoretical class hours is no longer required.
Nas practical classes, the future driver can choose between a driving school or an independent instructor accredited by Detran. The vehicle used in the lessons can be provided by the instructor or by the student himself. The mandatory 20 hours of practical classes were also removed.
Como joins the good driver register
The process of signing up for the benefit is simple and carried out using the CNH Brasil application. The driver needs to follow some steps to authorize participation.
- Abrir the CNH application Brasil
- Selecionar to Condutor option
- Acessar Cadastro Positivo
- Tocar in Autorizar participation
Após authorization, the system automatically checks the driver’s history at the time of renewal. Quem does not meet the criteria and continues to need to schedule exams and pay traditional fees.
Impacto expected in drivers’ routine
The measure seeks to reduce bureaucracy and costs for those who drive responsibly. Automatic renewal eliminates the need for prior scheduling and travel to Detran for most drivers.
Especialistas in traffic believe that the rule can encourage safer behavior on the roads. Maintaining the medical exam, however, preserves the focus on physical and mental fitness.
Estados and Detrans must adapt their systems to the new procedures in the coming weeks. Senatran advises drivers to check their driver’s license status on the official app.
