The demand for a first driver's license in Brazil increased by 216% in the first nine months of the implementation of the Brazilian Driver's License program, according to data released by the Ministry of Transport. In a comparable period in 2025, there were 2.3 million applications, while in 2026 this number jumped to 7.3 million. Furthermore, over 2 million drivers have already completed the procedure and obtained their licenses under the new guidelines.
This growth reflects Contran Resolution 1.020/2025, which was published in December of the previous year and gradually implemented by Detrans throughout 2026. This regulation abolished the need to attend a driving school, migrated the theoretical component to a digital format, and reduced the required number of hours before exams, resulting in a significant cost reduction for citizens.
In the previous system, it was mandatory to complete 45 hours of in-person theoretical classes and 20 hours of practical training registered with Detran. Currently, the theoretical material is available online and provided free of charge by the Ministry of Transport, and the minimum required driving time has been reduced to just two hours, allowing the candidate to hire extra lessons if desired.
Aspiring drivers also gained the option to hire duly accredited independent instructors for the practical part. This modality accounted for 553 thousand out of 4.2 million practical courses registered in 2026, corresponding to 13.2% of the total. Driving instructor centers remain responsible for the remaining 86.8%.
According to the government agency, these changes have provided an estimated saving of almost R$ 10 billion to drivers. This government calculation takes into account the decrease in the values of theoretical and practical courses, medical exams, and license renewal, added to the travel savings generated by the digitalization of certain stages.
The profile of individuals seeking a license has also undergone transformations. In the female group, there was an 18% increase in registrations, raising the number from 1.06 million to 1.25 million, representing an increase of just over 190 thousand. Regionally, the Northeast led the indicator of initiated processes with 54.7%, followed by the North, which recorded 31.9%.
The relaxation of rules has been subject to criticism from the training sector. The National Federation of Driving Schools (Feneauto) alleges that approximately 100 thousand job vacancies have been eliminated since the entry into force of the new rules. However, this data has not been confirmed by surveys conducted by Caged or IBGE, and the entity is questioning aspects of the resolution before the Supreme Federal Court. For Feneauto, the reduction in workload harms the quality of training and, in the medium term, road safety.
In response to the criticisms, the Ministry of Transport clarified that independent instructors remain subject to the Brazilian Traffic Code and Law 12.302/2010, being subject to inspection and disqualification in case of infraction. Additionally, the Ministry argues that the new model aims to assist in the regularization of about 20 million Brazilians who drive vehicles without possessing a license, according to Senatran estimates.