31 de agosto de 2023

National Driver’s License for Foreigners in Brazil

Most foreigners residing in Brazil are very interested in issuing their National Driver’s License to drive in the country. In this article, we will detail how the issuance of CNH works for foreigners in Brazil, and what are the requirements and benefits.

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Author: Lucas Velozo de Mello Marchiori

Does every foreigner need a CNH to drive in Brazil?

The CNH is mandatory for Brazilian citizens to drive in the national territory. However, not every foreign citizen needs a CNH to drive in Brazil.

Foreign citizens who are in Brazil as tourists may be exempt from CNH. For this, the foreigner must be a national of a country that is a signatory to the Vienna Convention. Alternatively, the foreigner must be a citizen of a country with a reciprocity agreement with Brazil.

At the end of the article, we will list all the countries that are part of the Vienna Convention and that have reciprocity agreements with Brazil.

Despite the waiver of CNH, citizens who fit these cases must still observe some requirements. Foreign citizens must be over 18 years of age and have a driver’s license from their country of origin. The Driver’s License must be within the validity period.

The driver must also carry a passport or other identification document. In addition, you must prove the date of entry into Brazil, which cannot exceed 180 days.

What are the requirements to issue a CNH in Brazil?

Foreign citizens residing in Brazil must issue a CNH to drive in the country.

Foreigners who do not have a driver’s license in their country of origin may also obtain a Brazilian driver’s license. For this, they must follow the same procedure, but they will need to take a driving test.

Foreign citizens who already have a Driver’s License from their country of origin undergo a simplified procedure to obtain a CNH.

It is necessary that the citizen already has a National Migration Registry Card (CRNM).

If you want more details on how to obtain the CRNM, access our article dedicated to the topic.

In addition, the immigrant must present the following documents:

Passport with Federal Police visa and/or stamp – original and copy;
Individual Taxpayer Registration (CPF) – copy;
Driver’s license from the country of origin issued more than 1 year ago and not yet expired – original and copy;
Proof of current address in the name of the interested party or a close relative (spouse, partner, parents, siblings, and children). In these cases, also present an original document and a copy that proves kinship or marital status (RG, marriage certificate or stable union deed, birth certificate) – original and copy.

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What are the steps to apply for a CNH?

After gathering the documentation, the immigrant must present it to the State Department of Transit (DETRAN). The competence of the DETRAN is divided according to the state in which the citizen resides.

DETRAN will analyze the documentation and may request a sworn translation into Portuguese of the document that is in another language. If you want to know more about the types of translation, visit our article dedicated to the subject.

After checking the documents, registration will be made and the Summary Bulletin and State Collection Document (DAE) will be issued. The amount of fees to be paid will vary according to the Detran of each state.

The address of the Medical Clinic accredited by the Detran will be indicated to carry out the medical and psycho-technical examinations. The fee for these exams must be paid at the clinic and the amounts vary for each city.

Foreigners who do not have a driving license in their home countries must also pass a driving test. The interested party whose country of origin does not have international conventions or agreements ratified and approved in Brazil must also pass the vehicle driving test.

To do so, you must choose a Driver Training Center (CFC) and pay the Learning License and driving exam fees. The CFC will schedule the vehicle driving test. Taking driving lessons is optional.

The CNH will be sent within 15 business days to the address in the Detran system. The postman will make three delivery attempts, and in case it is not answered, the driver’s license will be available at the Document Distribution Center (CDD) closest to the immigrant’s residence.