Brazil Advances Driver Licensing with Digital CNH App and Pioneering Detran Pará Implementation

Brazil has taken significant strides in modernizing its driver's licensing system with the nationwide adoption of the digital CNH app and the pioneering implementation of updated licensing standards by Detran Pará.

Launched on September 9, 2023, the CNH app has attracted over 12.7 million users, reaching roughly one in every 20 Brazilians, according to the National Traffic Secretariat (Senatran). It has processed approximately 746,965 requests for new driver's licenses. The app's most utilized feature is the driver training course, which is accessible in multiple formats including text, audio, and video. By September 12, 2023, more than 555,000 users had started the training, and 150,000 completed it, making them eligible for further licensing steps.

Significantly, the app supports training for autonomous driving instructors, with over 30,000 individuals currently undergoing training. Recent regulatory reforms by the National Traffic Council (Contran) allow instructors to operate independently without affiliation with driving schools, enabling them to offer services through social media and apps, although users should verify credentials via Senatran's Services Portal. To date, 18,663 instructors have been certified.

In parallel, Detran Pará has emerged as the first traffic department in Brazil to carry out first-time driver licensing (categories A and B) under the new CNH standards established by Contran. Following a temporary suspension for system upgrades, Detran Pará resumed services on December 15, 2025. The department now facilitates theoretical driver courses through the official CNH app with updated course durations and requirements. Candidates can register for licensing at the Detran Pará website, and local driving schools have adapted to the new regulatory framework.

Renata Coelho, general director of Detran Pará, emphasized that this achievement positions the department as a national leader in licensing system innovation, highlighting a commitment to efficiency, technology, and expanded public access to driver training.

These integrated digital and regulatory advancements underscore Brazil's commitment to modernizing its driver licensing process, promoting greater accessibility, and increasing certification quality nationwide.