CNH without driving school: the government explains in detail what the new licensing model will be like

The federal government has officially presented guidelines on how the process of obtaining the National Driving License, the CNH, will work without the obligation to attend a driving school.

The proposal is part of a draft resolution of the National Traffic Council – Contran -, submitted to public consultation by the Ministry of Transport. The objective, according to the government, is to reduce costs and simplify the path to the first license.

The draft may still undergo changes, but the basic text must be maintained with any adjustments based on suggestions sent by citizens, businesses and sector bodies.

Among the main innovations is the fact that the candidate will be able to carry out almost all the phases in digital mode, simply showing up in person for the medical visits and the practical driving test.

According to estimates from the Ministry of Transport, the new format can reduce the total cost of obtaining a driving license by up to 80%, since the candidate will only pay the administrative costs and exam fees.

The basic requirements remain the same: the candidate must be at least 18 years old and know how to read and write.

The request to start the process will be made electronically, on the Detran website or app in each state.

One of the most significant changes concerns the theoretical phase. The candidate will be able to choose between three types of courses: the traditional model of driving schools – in person or online -, public traffic schools managed by state bodies or distance courses offered by accredited platforms.

Therefore, the theoretical contents will remain mandatory, but without the need to hire a private driving school.

Once you have completed the theoretical course, the next step will be to take the mandatory exams, such as the psychological evaluation – the psychotechnical test – and the physical fitness exam.

The rates for this phase remain the responsibility of the state Detrans and, therefore, have not changed.

The theory exam will follow the same current format: up to 30 multiple choice questions and a minimum correct answer requirement of 70%.

This test can be done in person or remotely. In both cases, monitoring by the road authority is necessary.

After passing the theoretical part, the candidate can choose whether to attend the practical lessons or take the driving test directly. There is no mandatory minimum workload nor is it necessary to train with driving school vehicles.

Under the new proposal, the practical exam can be taken with your own or borrowed car, as long as the vehicle meets legal requirements, such as maximum age, suitable condition and external identification indicating that it is used for driver training. The use of dual-control cars will no longer be necessary.

With the approval of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the CNH driving school-free proposal is now undergoing final adjustments before coming into force.

The text does not require the approval of the National Congress and the public consultation is open until 2 November 2025 on the Participa + Brasil portal.

The trial mobilized the driver training sector. Bodies representing driving schools, such as the Union of Driver Training Centers of Minas Gerais, invited their members to participate in the consultation.

According to the union, the measure could compromise road safety and cause unemployment in the sector. Furthermore, according to the category, it is based on the “false assumption” according to which the high costs of driving licenses are due exclusively to driving schools.

As the debate progresses, the government highlights that the new model aims to democratize access to driving licenses and offer greater freedom to citizens, allowing them to choose the most accessible and convenient format for their driver training.