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New Driver’s License (CNH): The End of Immediate Disapproval and New Rules for Driving Tests in Brazil

The regulations for obtaining a National Driver’s License (CNH) in Brazil have undergone substantial changes, aiming to make the evaluation process more aligned with the reality of traffic and fairer to candidates. One of the most impactful changes is the end of immediate disapproval in practical driving tests, replaced by a scoring system based on the severity of infractions. In addition, the theoretical exam has been standardized throughout the national territory.

The São Paulo State Department of Transit (Detran-SP), like other state Detrans, has adapted its evaluation procedures to fully align with the criteria established by Contran Resolution No. 1,020/2025. This resolution represents a milestone in the regulation of driving tests, seeking greater uniformity and objectivity.

Changes to the Practical Driving Test: Scoring by Infractions

The main novelty in the practical exam is the abolition of automatic disqualifying faults. Previously, certain conducts resulted in the immediate disapproval of the candidate, regardless of the rest of their performance. Now, a scoring system has been implemented, where each error or inappropriate conduct corresponds to negative points, following the logic of traffic infractions. To be approved, the candidate cannot exceed the limit of 10 negative points.

Detailed Scoring System:

The score assigned to faults during the practical exam reflects the severity of traffic infractions in the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB), as follows:

• Weight one: Corresponds to a minor traffic infraction. Examples may include adjusting mirrors with the vehicle in motion, not signaling maneuvers correctly in certain situations, or using low beams on illuminated roads during the day when not required.
• Weight two: Corresponds to a medium traffic infraction. Among the examples, we can mention honking unnecessarily, parking in a prohibited location (but without causing serious risk), or not maintaining an adequate safety distance.
• Weight four: Corresponds to a serious traffic infraction. This may include running a red light (with mitigating factors), not giving preference to pedestrians in crosswalks, or not using a seat belt correctly.
• Weight six: Corresponds to a very serious traffic infraction. These are the most dangerous conducts and can result in, or come close to, reaching the permitted scoring limit. Examples may be crossing a red light without justification, not stopping at a “STOP” sign, or driving onto the sidewalk to park improperly.

This new format seeks to simulate more realistically the conditions of circulation on public roads, encouraging future drivers to internalize the consequences of their actions in traffic. The evaluation becomes more gradual and less punitive for a single isolated error, as long as it does not constitute an imminent risk to safety.

Updates to the CNH Theoretical Exam

National Question Bank of Senatran

In parallel with the changes in the practical exam, there has been a significant update to the theoretical component of the qualification process. Brazil now adopts a National Question Bank (BNQ), prepared by the National Traffic Secretariat (Senatran), which is the highest executive traffic body of the Union. This means that the theoretical qualification tests will have standardized and uniform questions throughout the country.

The main advantages of this standardization are:

• Greater standardization: Ensures that all candidates, regardless of the state in which they take the test, are evaluated with the same rigor and on the same programmatic content.
• Permanent update: The National Question Bank will be continuously updated by Senatran, ensuring that the content reflects the most recent traffic laws and safe driving practices.
• Equality in the application of the test: As emphasized by Detran, adapting to the BNQ ensures that there is parity in the tests. There are a total of 1,500 questions in the bank. Each test contains 30 questions, and to be approved, the candidate needs to get at least 20 questions right (approximately 66.7%). The selection of questions is done randomly, ensuring that each exam is unique, but with the same difficulty and breadth of topics.

Impact of the New Rules for CNH Candidates

For future drivers, these changes represent challenges and opportunities:

• Greater focus on education and understanding: In the practical exam, the new methodology encourages a deeper understanding of traffic rules and their consequences, rather than just memorizing disqualifying conducts.
• Uniformity in evaluation: Candidates in different states will now face more consistent theoretical and practical evaluations, which may facilitate the process for those who move or need to retake the exam in another location.
• Reduction of subjectivity: The scoring criterion makes the practical evaluation more objective, reducing the margin for individual interpretations by examiners regarding less serious infractions.

It is essential that candidates prepare adequately, studying traffic regulations and practicing driving with accredited instructors, now focusing on reducing infractions and on safe and conscious driving. Driving schools, in turn, will need to adapt their teaching methods to address these new guidelines and prepare their students for the scoring system.

Conclusion

The modifications implemented by Contran Resolution No. 1,020/2025 mark an important advance in the search for safer traffic and better-prepared drivers. By replacing automatic disqualifying faults with a scoring system and standardizing the theoretical exam, the qualification process approaches a more educational model and less focused on immediate punishment, encouraging more effective learning and more responsible driving.