CNH B may undergo an unexpected change in Brazil, allowing drivers to operate much heavier electric and hybrid cars of up to 4,250 kg, expanding the current limit and surprising those who follow traffic regulations.

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 23/03/2026 at 14:31

Updated on 02/05/2026 at 21:14

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Approved proposal in committee expands weight limit for electrified vehicles and goes to new stages in the National Congress

A significant change in the rules for driver licensing in Brazil has progressed in the National Congress and may directly impact the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in the country. The Transportation and Traffic Commission of the Chamber of Deputies approved, in 2026, Bill 305/25, which authorizes drivers with a category B driver’s license to operate vehicles weighing up to 4,250 kg.

Currently, according to the Brazilian Traffic Code, these drivers can operate vehicles weighing up to 3,500 kg, which limits the use of heavier models. With the new proposal, therefore, this limit is expanded to match the technical characteristics of electrified vehicles, which tend to have greater structural weight.

***Driver’s licenses (CNH) illustrate the topic of the proposal under analysis in the Chamber, which may expand the limit of category B for heavier electric and hybrid vehicles in Brazil***

Expansion of the limit includes electric and hybrid vehicles

The project was presented by Deputy Pedro Aihara (PRD-MG), focusing on adapting legislation to new automotive technologies. Additionally, the text received amendments from rapporteur Hugo Leal (PSD-RJ), which adjusted the wording and expanded the scope of the proposal.

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Weight of batteries motivated the change in legislation

The main technical factor considered in the proposal is related to the additional weight of batteries. According to the author of the project, Pedro Aihara, electric vehicles are generally heavier than combustion models, precisely because of these components.

In light of this, the current limitation of 3,500 kg may restrict the use of these vehicles by drivers with a category B driver’s license. The expansion to 4,250 kg, therefore, seeks to balance this difference without requiring a change in the license category, maintaining coherence with the evolution of the automotive sector.

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Regulation may define complementary criteria

The approved text also provides that other criteria may be defined later by regulation. In this case, it will be up to the National Traffic Council to establish additional parameters, as per technical necessity.

Still, the categories of the National Driver’s License continue to be determined based on criteria such as vehicle type, total weight, and number of passengers. Thus, the overall structure of the CNH remains unchanged, while only the allowed limit within category B is adjusted.

Project still needs to go through new stages in Congress

Despite the progress in the Transportation and Traffic Commission, the proposal is not yet in effect. The text will be analyzed, conclusively, by the Constitution and Justice and Citizenship Commission.

Subsequently, for the measure to become law, the project will need to be approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate. Only after these stages can the proposal be sanctioned and come into effect in the country.

In light of this scenario, the update of traffic rules gradually follows the evolution of electrified vehicles, which are gaining ground in the Brazilian market — but is legislation advancing at the same pace as technology?

CNH B may undergo an unexpected change in Brazil, allowing drivers to operate much heavier electric and hybrid cars of up to 4,250 kg, expanding the current limit and surprising those who follow traffic regulations.

Approved proposal in committee expands weight limit for electrified vehicles and goes to new stages in the National Congress

Expansion of the limit includes electric and hybrid vehicles

Weight of batteries motivated the change in legislation

Regulation may define complementary criteria

Project still needs to go through new stages in Congress

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CNH B may undergo an unexpected change in Brazil, allowing drivers to operate much heavier electric and hybrid cars of up to 4,250 kg, expanding the current limit and surprising those who follow traffic regulations.

Approved proposal in committee expands weight limit for electrified vehicles and goes to new stages in the National Congress

Expansion of the limit includes electric and hybrid vehicles

Weight of batteries motivated the change in legislation

Regulation may define complementary criteria

Project still needs to go through new stages in Congress

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Goodbye traditional washing machine: Panasonic surprises housewives with the NA-G5 featuring four drums, a 13 kg washer and dryer, a 12 kg dryer, independent mini washers, a heat pump, and a 4-in-1 system awarded at the German Design Award.

While cities spend fortunes patching potholes and tons of plastic become waste, the Netherlands transforms over 218,000 recycled cups into a modular bike path that can conceal drainage, cables, and pipes.

A public school student single-handedly created a machine capable of treating water for up to 50 people using only solar energy. It was awarded third place at one of the most important science fairs in the world.

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