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Proposal for Driver’s License Without Mandatory Driving School Predicts a Drop of Up to 80% in Costs. See What Changes, Who Will Be Affected, and the Debates on Safety.
The Federal Government presented a proposal in October 2025 to allow the issuance of the National Driver’s License (CNH) without mandatory driving school. The measure, with the approval of President Lula, was submitted for public consultation starting October 2.
The idea is to change the rules for categories A and B, eliminating the need for a minimum load of practical and theoretical classes in Driver Training Centers (CFCs).
The main goal is to make the CNH more accessible, reduce costs for applicants, and facilitate the legal entry of people who drive without a license.
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What is Foreseen in the New CNH Without Mandatory Driving School?
The proposal allows candidates to choose different paths to prepare for the theoretical and practical exams.
It would no longer be mandatory to attend driving schools to take classes or fulfill minimum hour requirements.
The theoretical content could come through distance learning (EAD), digital, or in-person, depending on the student’s preference.
For the practical part, accredited instructors or driving schools could offer classes, but without a legal requirement for a minimum number of hours.
Exams remain mandatory, as do the health and psychological tests currently required.
Cost Reduction: Estimated Drop of Up to 80%
Currently, it is estimated that obtaining a CNH in categories A or B costs between R$ 3 thousand and R$ 4 thousand for many Brazilians.
With the proposal for a CNH without mandatory driving school, this amount could drop to around R$ 600 to R$ 1,000, depending on the state and the choices of the candidate. This represents, in some cases, up to 80% in savings.
Who Gains and Who Might Lose
On one hand, low-income population, young people, and those living in remote areas would be the main beneficiaries of the proposal.
The opportunity to obtain a license without high costs eliminates one of the most cited economic barriers.
On the other hand, driving schools warn that the sector faces the risk of significant financial losses.
Feneauto estimates that up to 300 thousand jobs could disappear if the requirement is eliminated. Institutions argue that the supervision and quality of training are at risk.
Deadline, Public Consultation, and Possibilities
The draft change was published by the Ministry of Transport and will be open for public consultation for 30 days on the Participa + Brasil website.
After this period, the text will follow for analysis and possible resolution by Contran, which will make the necessary legal adjustments.
The new rules regarding the CNH would not come into effect immediately but gradually.
Issues Under Debate: Safety, Supervision, and Quality
Although the proposal seeks to reduce costs, there are criticisms: experts claim that reducing the minimum load of practical classes may affect the actual preparation of the driver.
Additionally, there are discussions about how to ensure that independent instructors are properly accredited and how to supervise the quality of exams.
Another concern is to keep the number of failures under control, preventing candidates from attempting to “pass without preparation,” which could put drivers and pedestrians at risk.
The government insists that exams will remain a strict filter for competence.
