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New automatic transmission law for cars is coming! Understand how the law will work and its impact on Brazilian drivers' driving licenses.
Laws are undergoing major changes lately, especially in traffic. Drivers need to always be aware of new regulations, as new decrees frequently emerge. This time, a new law on automatic transmission is under discussion, which could impact millions of vehicles from Fiat, Volkswagen and other automakers. It is important to highlight that this change is directly related to the National Driving License (CNH).
Understand how the new automatic car exchange law will work
The fact is that the bill 2.955 / 2021, presented by senator Eduardo Gomes (MDB-TO), gives drivers permission to drive only automatic cars. Furthermore, the PL prohibits drivers qualified in this category from driving cars with manual transmission. In short, the new PL would change the Traffic Code.
In this way, the candidate who wished to obtain his driver's license for an automatic car would have the right to choose to take the driving test in a car with an automatic transmission, always in accordance with the terms of the National Traffic Council.
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After the exam and approval, the driver has the right to drive vehicles only with this type of gearbox. With the new automatic transmission law, if the driver was caught in a car with a manual transmission, he would be committing a very serious infraction, being fined and having the vehicle detained until the arrival of a driver qualified to drive a manual car.
Another important point of the new automatic car transmission law is that the driver could remove the restriction whenever he wished, only needing to take a driving test in a vehicle with manual transmission.
Advantages and disadvantages of the new Automatic Exchange Law
Among the advantages are accessibility and security. Firstly, the theoretical exam on automatic cars makes obtaining a driver's license more accessible for those who wish to drive only automatic vehicles, aligning the driver training process with market reality.
Furthermore, by providing a theoretical understanding of how automatic cars work, drivers can feel safer and more prepared to deal with these vehicles. This reduces the likelihood of accidents due to lack of knowledge.
On the other hand, disadvantages include practical skill restriction and added complexity. The lack of practical classes in automatic cars can leave new drivers less experienced in driving these vehicles in practice, which can be a disadvantage when facing real traffic situations.
Furthermore, the inclusion of a specific theoretical exam for automatic cars can add complexity to the process of obtaining a driver's license, making it more bureaucratic and challenging for candidates.
Other countries have already adopted exchange laws for automatic cars
The senator responsible for the PL, Eduardo Gomes, states that the Legislation needs to be in tune with the evolution of carros. Furthermore, the parliamentarian states that automatic cars are being sold a lot in Brazil.
However, license exams must be carried out with vehicles with manual transmission, requiring a resolution of the counter. Other countries already use the new automatic exchange law. In the United Kingdom, for example, there is a clear distinction between licenses for drivers of manual cars and cars with automatic transmission.
In practice, passing the driving test in an automatic vehicle limits the license holder to driving automatics only. On the other hand, those who pass the test in a manual vehicle have the flexibility to drive both vehicles.
A Germany it also mirrors the UK's approach to the new Automatic Transmission Act, such that passing the test in an automatic car licenses the driver exclusively for automatic vehicles.
