Brazilian CNH services hit by CPF checks and new point rules

Drivers in Brazil may be blocked from renewing, reissuing or updating their Carteira Nacional de Habilitação (CNH) if the data in their Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) does not match the records of the Receita Federal. The state traffic department (Detran) cross‑checks CPF information such as name, birth date and parentage; discrepancies—suspended, cancelled, null CPF or incorrect personal data—can suspend services until the CPF is corrected. Financial debts or a negative credit score alone do not trigger suspension of the licence.

A separate regulatory change alters the CNH point‑system for suspension. Starting in 2026, the maximum points a driver can accumulate in a 12‑month period depend on the number of gravíssimas infractions recorded: 40 points if none, 30 points for one, and 20 points for two or more. Points expire after 12 months, and the new thresholds replace the previous uniform 20‑point limit.