Brazil Opens Consultation on CNH Overhaul Ending Mandatory Driving Schools to Cut Costs Up to 80%

Overview

• The draft backed by President Lula and Transport Minister Renan Filho would initially apply to categories A and B to broaden access to a first license.
• Officials estimate the reform could reduce the price of obtaining a CNH by up to 80% and help address about 20 million people who drive without a license.
• Under the proposal, practical lessons become optional with no minimum hours, candidates may train with Detran‑credentialed autonomous instructors on closed circuits, and state Detrans would continue to run the exams.
• Senatran data indicate families in Acre and Bahia would need roughly eight months to pay for an A+B license under a 30%‑of‑income benchmark, versus about two months in São Paulo and the Federal District.
• Driving‑school federation Feneauto opposes the plan, warning of more than 170,000 job losses and potential closures and questioning traffic‑safety impacts during the consultation period.