Portuguese 
First Driver’s License No Longer Requires Driving School; New Path Approved by Contran Replaces Package with Free Government Theoretical Course, Exam at Detran, and Minimum of Two Hours of Practical Lesson with Licensed Independent Instructor.
The change applies to categories A, for motorcycles, and B, for cars, and was approved by the National Traffic Council. According to the resolution, candidates can now study on their own using the freely provided theoretical material and then schedule the exam directly with the state’s traffic department.
If they pass the theoretical exam, they must complete a minimum of two hours of practical lessons with a licensed independent instructor before proceeding to the driving test at Detran. The estimate is a reduction of up to 80% in costs to obtain the driver’s license.
What Exactly is No Longer Mandatory
It’s essential to separate what has changed from what remains the same, as the short headline can lead to confusion. The theoretical exam still exists and is administered by Detran. The practical driving exam also remains and is conducted by Detran. Medical and psychological evaluations continue to be required.
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What is no longer mandatory is the intervention of a driving school. Previously, candidates had to enroll in a driving school, complete a fixed number of hours of theoretical lessons and a fixed number of practical lessons at that facility, and pay for the entire package. Now, they can tailor their study process, learn independently, and hire only the practical hours they deem necessary, with a minimum of two.
In other words, the model shifts from a package to a series of mandatory steps that candidates complete wherever and however they can. Those who wish to continue utilizing a driving school can do so, as the change removes the requirement, not the option.
Twenty Million Driving Without a License
The central argument of the measure is cost. According to the data that informed the decision, the country has about 20 million people driving without a license, and the price of the licensing process is pointed out as one of the main barriers.
This financial burden makes sense for those who rely on driving for a living. Ride-hailing drivers, delivery people, motoboys, and farm workers need a license to engage in paid activities, and the cost in many regions equates to more than a minimum wage. In these cases, the expense is not merely a matter of convenience, but a significant barrier to entering the job market.
The resolution also takes inspiration from models adopted in the United States, Canada, and Japan, countries where obtaining a driver’s license does not necessarily require attending a licensed private institution, allowing the state to directly assess the candidate’s competence.
The Sector’s Critique
On the other side of the debate is the road safety argument. Driving schools and some traffic specialists argue that reducing the mandatory practical training hours may put less prepared drivers on the road in a country that already has poor traffic accident statistics.
The counterpoint is that the requirement to pass the practical exam remains, and that it serves as the real competency filter. Two hours of class do not make a driver, but the resolution does not claim they do: it sets a minimum and hands over to the candidate the decision on how many hours to contract until they feel ready to be assessed.
It is worth noting what still needs to be confirmed before any practical decision. The exact resolution number from Contran and the implementation timeline in each state are not uniform in the consulted material, and the operationalization depends on each Detran accrediting independent instructors and making exam schedules available. Therefore, what exists today is the national rule, but not necessarily the service operational everywhere.
It’s understandable why the change has stirred so much noise. It disrupts a consolidated market, with thousands of establishments and jobs, while also addressing a long-standing complaint from those who simply couldn’t afford to get licensed.
Are two hours of practical lessons sufficient, or will the reduced cost lead to unprepared drivers on the road?
