Brazil updates driver's license validity rules by age

New regulations regarding the Brazilian National Driver's License (CNH) have established specific validity periods based on driver age. For drivers aged 50 to 69, the license is valid for five years, while those aged 70 or older must renew every three years. Drivers under 50 maintain a ten-year validity period.

Under the legislation, which includes provisions from Provisional Measure 1.327/2025, a system for automatic renewal has been introduced for certain drivers. To qualify, motorists must be enrolled in the National Positive Registry of Drivers (RNPC), meaning they have had no traffic infractions resulting in points over the previous 12 months. This automatic renewal benefit can only be used once after the driver reaches age 50.

Certain groups are excluded from automatic renewal, including drivers aged 70 and above, and those with suspected physical or mental disabilities or progressive diseases. For these individuals, in-person medical examinations remain mandatory to assess visual acuity, motor coordination, and cognitive abilities. Driving with an expired license beyond a 30-day grace period is considered a very serious infraction, carrying fines and penalty points.