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Senator Cleitinho's proposal on driving tests promises to reduce costs of up to R$280 on car rentals, but warns of the risk of accidents due to the lack of dual controls in private vehicles.
A new proposal is shaking up the legislative debates in Brazil. The use of private cars in driving tests, the central theme of Bill 1183/2024, has divided opinions. The idea, proposed by Senator Cleitinho, allows candidates to use their own vehicles during the practical driving test, eliminating the requirement to rent a car from a driving school.
Relief in your pocket or concern on the track with a new driving test?
Currently, those who want to get their National Driver's License (CNH) face costs that can exceed R$2.000, with around R$280 being spent solely on renting the car used for the test. According to Senator Cleitinho, using a private car for the driving test can alleviate some of this cost, reducing the financial impact for candidates.
However, the proposal also comes up against security issues. Driving school cars have a dual-control brake system, which allows the instructor or examiner to intervene quickly in risky situations. Without this mechanism, the dangers for both drivers and pedestrians increase, making the debate even more complex.
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Change in the Brazilian Traffic Code
The Bill aims to modify Article 152 of the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB). If approved, it will allow the tests to be carried out in any vehicle of the required category, including private cars. Currently, the CTB does not specify the type of vehicle, but rules from the National Traffic Council (Contran) have required, since the 1990s, that the tests be carried out in vehicles belonging to driving schools.
Senator Cleitinho argues that the measure promotes “practicality and economy” without compromising the quality of the exam. However, critics point out that the lack of adequate equipment, such as the aforementioned dual control, could compromise the safety of everyone involved.
Reactions and next steps
While the National Federation of Driving Schools (Feneauto) has not yet officially stated its position, traffic experts emphasize that the change could bring risks. Without additional control by examiners, the chance of accidents during assessments increases.
On the other hand, supporters of the proposal point out that the use of a private car in the driving test represents a modernization of the process and a financial relief for future drivers. The issue is now in the hands of the Senate, which must balance economy and safety in its decision.
The Bill 1183/2024 rekindles an old debate: to what extent is it possible to reduce costs without compromising lives? While the answer is not forthcoming, the discussion continues at high speed, with a destination still uncertain.
