Brazil: Legal validity and requirements for digital driver's licenses

Under Brazilian law, the digital driver's license (CNH digital) holds the same legal validity and public faith as the printed version throughout the national territory. According to the Brazilian Traffic Code, drivers are permitted to use only the digital version via official government applications.

Physical document carriage may be waived if traffic authorities can verify the driver's status through the official computerized system during an inspection. However, drivers face risks if technical issues prevent verification. The digital document must be presented through the official app or a valid digital PDF; static screenshots or photos saved in a phone's gallery are not legally valid as they lack necessary cryptographic validation and dynamic QR codes.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring their mobile devices are functional. Potential complications during police stops include dead batteries, broken screens that prevent optical reading, or the inability to access the app due to lack of internet if the document has not been previously downloaded for offline use.