Government evaluating potential abolishment of mandatory schooling for obtaining CNH
Brazil Proposes to Make Driving School Lessons Optional for CNH
Brazil is considering a significant change to its licensing system, as the Lula administration has proposed ending the mandatory requirement of attending driving school to obtain the Carteira Nacional de Habilitação (CNH). This move aims to reduce costs and increase access to obtaining a driver's license [2][3][4][5].
The Minister of Transportation, Renan Filho, based in Brasilia-DF, has spearheaded this proposal. According to Filho, the current driving school courses in Brazil, which can cost between R$ 3,000 to R$ 4,000, are expensive, time-consuming, and lengthy, making it difficult for many Brazilians, particularly the poor, to obtain a CNH [6].
Under the new proposal, driving lessons would still exist but would be optional for taking the theoretical and practical exams. These hours of lessons could be taken at a driving school or with a certified independent instructor [1]. This change could potentially reduce the cost of a CNH by up to 80%, making the process more affordable for millions of Brazilians [4].
Filho emphasizes that this is not a reinvention of the wheel, but an adoption of international experiences, such as those in England, where driving school courses have become optional [3]. The goal is to stimulate formalization and simplify access to the driver's license without eliminating the option for formal instruction.
It is worth noting that 60% of women eligible to obtain a CNH in Brazil do not have the document. Renan Filho argues that the gender exclusion in obtaining a CNH is significant, as families often prioritize getting a license for boys [2].
This proposal does not apply to professional categories, such as bus drivers and truck drivers. The candidate, if the proposal is approved, could choose the number of hours of lessons they wish to take. The Lula government's plan could potentially reduce the cost of obtaining a CNH by a significant amount, making it more accessible for many Brazilians.
The proposal does not require congressional approval and will be presented to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) soon. The discussion does not apply to regions where driving without a CNH reaches 40% [5]. This change, if approved, could modernize Brazil's licensing system and make obtaining a driver's license a more affordable and accessible process for many.
The Lula administration's proposal to make driving school lessons optional for the Carteira Nacional de Habilitação (CNH) is a significant shift in Brazil's policy-and-legislation, rooted in politics and general-news. If approved, this change could potentially reduce the cost of obtaining a CNH by up to 80%, making it more affordable and accessible for millions of Brazilians, and stimulating formalization in the driver's license process.
