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Used Vehicle Transfer Via The Digital Driver’s License App Dispenses Notary And Physical DUT Since 2021.
The digitization of the car buying and selling process has brought significant changes for drivers across the country. Since January 2021, those negotiating a used vehicle can transfer it directly through the Digital Driver’s License (CDT) app, without needing to notarize the signature at a notary office. According to lawyer João Paulo Feeburg, a specialist in civil and traffic law, this measure replaced the old physical DUT (green document) and the A4 paper model, making the process faster, safer, and more economical.
Before the change, the seller had to fill out the DUT, notarize the signature at a notary office, and deliver the document to the buyer, who had up to 30 days to complete the regularization with the Detran.
Today, the entire process can be initiated from a mobile phone, as long as the buyer and seller have a level silver or gold account on GOV.BR.
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Who Can Use The Digital Driver’s License To Transfer Vehicles?
According to João Paulo Feeburg, digital transfer is only possible for vehicles that already have the electronic DUT (ATPV-e), available for cars registered or transferred from 2021 onwards.
Additionally, both the buyer and the seller must have a validated account on GOV.BR with a silver or gold security level, which requires reinforced authentication through biometrics, internet banking, or a digital certificate.
This requirement ensures the legal validity of the electronic signature and eliminates the need to travel to notaries, a practice that for decades was considered mandatory in the vehicle transfer process.
How The Transfer Works Through The App
The process via Digital Driver’s License is structured in simple steps:
- The seller accesses the app, selects the vehicle, and provides the buyer’s information (CPF, address, sale price, mileage, and transaction municipality).
- The system generates the ATPV-e (Authorization for Transfer of Vehicle Ownership – Electronic), dispensing with any printing on paper.
- The buyer receives a notification in the app, verifies the information, and signs digitally through facial recognition and GOV.BR code.
- The seller repeats the same process, digitally confirming the transaction.
- After double validation, the Detran is automatically informed of the sale, ending the previous owner’s responsibility for future fines and taxes.
Finally, the buyer must visit a Detran/CRVA office within 30 days to complete the registration in the official system and, if necessary, install the license plates in the Mercosur standard.
Advantages of The Digital Model
Lawyer João Paulo Feeburg emphasizes that the transfer via Digital Driver’s License brings clear benefits to the consumer:
- Elimination of the notary, saving time and money.
- Automatic sale notification, protecting the seller against fines or subsequent debts.
- Agility, as the entire process can be initiated in minutes from a mobile phone.
- Geographical flexibility, as the transaction does not depend on the municipality where the car will be registered.
This simplification is considered an important step toward modernizing the bureaucracy in the Brazilian automotive sector, integrating public services into the digital environment.
Point Of Attention To Avoid Issues
Despite the advantages, there is still an essential warning: the 30-calendar-day deadline to complete the transfer remains in effect.
If the buyer does not finalize the process at the Detran within this period, they may be fined or even have the vehicle towed during a check.
Another point is that the digital signature only works on updated mobile devices connected to the internet.
Therefore, it is crucial to check the technical conditions before starting the transaction.
The Digital Driver’s License has made the process of buying and selling used vehicles much more practical since 2021, eliminating the notary and the old physical DUT.
With validated GOV.BR accounts, buyers and sellers can carry out the entire procedure electronically, with legal security and automatic communication to the Detran.
And you, have you used the Digital Driver’s License to transfer a used car? Do you believe this change has truly reduced bureaucracy or are there still barriers in the process?
Leave your opinion in the comments — your experience can help other drivers.
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