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Between January and April 2026, Brazil recorded 4.8 million first-time driver’s license applications, four times more than in 2025, with the free theoretical course reducing the cost of obtaining a license by up to 80% and saving R$ 1.8 billion for candidates.
On May 11, 2026, the Ministry of Transport released an official statement. The CNH of Brazil 2026 closed the first quarter with 4.834 million first-time license applications.
The number represents a 303% increase compared to the same period last year, almost four times more applications. According to the official statement from the Ministry of Transport, the data comes from Renach.
According to the same note, free theoretical courses on the official app grew by 170%. The jump is directly linked to the new rule that waived mandatory in-person classes at driving schools for theoretical content.
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The result has a direct impact on the Brazilian’s pocket. On May 6, according to an analysis by Veja magazine, candidates saved R$ 1.84 billion since December 2025.
For the oil, gas, and logistics sector, the news opens an important window. More licensed drivers mean a greater supply of labor for gas stations, transport companies, and fuel operators across the country.
How the CNH of Brazil 2026 changed the game
The regulatory milestone that unlocked the boom began on December 9, 2025. On that date, the National Traffic Council approved Resolution No. 1,020.
On the same day, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and then-Minister Renan Filho announced the program in Brasília. The Provisional Measure No. 1,327, called the Good Driver MP, was also signed.
The new rule eliminated the requirement to take the entire theoretical course at a driving school. Subsequently, candidates gained access to the content through the CNH of Brazil app completely free of charge.
Additionally, the minimum load of practical classes was reduced. As detailed by Renan Filho in an interview with the Bom Dia Ministro program, the expectation was to cut the final cost by up to 80%.
In practice, driving schools in states like São Paulo began selling packages around R$ 300. In January, a report by G1 already pointed to the price turnaround.
What the numbers from the quarter say
Renach recorded 4.834 million first-time license applications between January and April 2026. The volume is almost four times greater than the same period the previous year.
According to the Vrum portal, the growth was distributed across all regions of the country. Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Bahia, and Rio Grande do Sul are among the states with the highest aggregate gain.
Meanwhile, Secom reported that the number of theoretical courses completed on the app rose by 170%. This indicator shows that the online entry point worked.
Compared to the historical average, the current pace puts the country on track to reach 15 million new licenses in 2026. This level had never been reached before.
Similarly, the total accumulated savings reached R$ 1.84 billion in just five months. The Ministry highlighted the mark as one of the greatest direct gains for the Brazilian pocket in this government cycle.
Driving schools and the new reality
The change did not eliminate driving schools. They remain essential for the practical part of training, especially for categories B, C, D, and E.
However, the business model was forced to reinvent itself. Packages that previously cost R$ 2,500 to R$ 3,000 dropped to the range of R$ 300 to R$ 600 in several states.
As reported by the portal G1 Rio Grande do Sul, part of the sector expressed concern. Some schools reported a drop in margin and difficulty in retaining instructors.
On the other hand, schools that adapted early gained volume. Subsequently, they opened premium packages with simulators and additional classes for those seeking reinforced training.
The debate on road safety
Brazil is still among the countries with the highest absolute number of traffic deaths. In 2025, there were about 32,000 fatalities from traffic incidents.
Therefore, experts raised the yellow flag. The National Road Safety Observatory issued a note of concern about the reduction in practical hours.
According to the president of the ONSV, cited in reports from May, the risk is training new drivers in a less controlled environment. Despite this, Senatran argues that practical test supervision remains strict.
Similarly, the 2026 traffic violation ranking reveals that Brazilian drivers continue to exceed speed limits and use cell phones while driving. These behaviors are independent of how many hours of class they had.
At that time, Senatran had already announced complementary packages. Subsequently, a call for mandatory recycling of licensed drivers with serious infractions is expected to be released.
Impact on logistics and the oil and gas sector
For road transport, the news is strategic. The sector faces a chronic shortage of professional drivers and those licensed in categories C, D, and E.
According to the CNT, Brazil needs about 70,000 new professional drivers per year. The CPG has already shown that Senatran targets 1 million candidates at Detran-SP.
Compared to 2025, the supply is expected to expand the base for fuel stations, delivery companies, and logistics operators. This is especially true for urban services based on apps.
Meanwhile, the oil and gas sector is a major indirect employer. As already shown by the CPG in coverage of the Brazilian energy market, distributors depend on licensed drivers.
According to the portal Uber on its page of requirements for drivers in Brazil, having a CNH is the first filter. The cost reduction opens access to hundreds of thousands of potential new partners.
What comes next
The Ministry of Transport promised a new stage of the program in May 2026. The agenda for the week includes the Instructor’s Journey, aimed at professional recycling.
Subsequently, the Senate approved the automatic renewal of the CNH for drivers without infractions. As reported by Fetransul, the text went to presidential sanction.
Later, Senatran is expected to publish new supervision in state Detrans. The goal is to ensure uniformity in the application of Resolution No. 1,020.
Despite this, experts call for caution in the next shift. The next phase may include the mandatory use of simulators and online courses in other categories.
- First-time license applications: 4.834 million from January to April
- Variation vs. 2025: 303% increase
- Theoretical courses on the app: 170% increase
- Candidate savings: R$ 1.84 billion since December
- Regulatory milestone: Contran Resolution No. 1,020 and MP No. 1,327
- License cost reduction: up to 80% in some states
- Announcement date: May 11, 2026
Reservations about the CNH of Brazil 2026
Despite the official enthusiasm, there are concrete reservations. On May 11, the portal CNN Brazil heard from experts critical of the model.
According to researchers interviewed by the press, the increase in applications does not automatically translate into better-prepared drivers. Therefore, practical testing and ongoing supervision are essential.
According to the National Road Safety Observatory’s warning, Brazil needs to monitor accident indicators. However, the logistics sector awaits new rules on health exams, still without a defined deadline by Senatran.
Finally, the question remains for the reader: will the CNH of Brazil 2026 truly democratize access to driving without compromising safety on Brazilian avenues?
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