Driving licence in Brazil

In Brazil, a driver's licence (officially named Carteira Nacional de Habilitação in Portuguese, shortened as CNH and translated as "National Qualification Card") is required in order to drive cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles.

It was formerly called PGU, but in 2008 CONTRAN (Conselho Nacional de Trânsito, translated as "National Traffic Council") overhauled the system, requiring all driver's holders to re-register, so they could be grouped in Renach (Registro Nacional de Condutores Habilitados, National Register of Qualified Drivers).

When a vehicle is spotted (either by a traffic agent, the police or an automated system such as a speed camera) violating traffic regulations, its owner receives a notification by post, including details of the violation: type; location; the penalty fine; and proof, if available, like pictures taken by speed cameras.

In 2017, the Ministry of Cities (MCID) in partnership with the National Department of Traffic – DENATRAN (currently SENATRAN) and SERPRO launched the digital version of the CNH.

For then Minister Bruno Araújo, in addition to streamlining the process, the Digital CNH would offer an innovative way of identification.

The intention of this format is to facilitate the electronic validation, document recovery and greater durability, thus providing mobility, practicality and convenience, in addition to security.

The Brazilian National Driving Licence will change from a paper format to a plastic card with a microchip, containing information on the driver.

[3] The resource will facilitate supervision and will allow the provision of services: such as road user toll payment, public transportation and biometric identification according to the Ministry of Cities.