Brazil's driver's license market undergoes digital transformation

The Brazilian driver's license (CNH) market is undergoing significant structural changes following the implementation of the CNH do Brasil program. According to data released by the Ministry of Transport, the initiative saw over 7.3 million first-time license applications and the issuance of more than 2 million documents through August 2026, marking a 17.1% increase compared to the previous year.

Digitalization is a primary driver of this shift. The free digital theoretical course offered via the CNH do Brasil platform, developed by Serpro for the National Traffic Secretariat, saw a 121.4% increase in completions compared to 2025. This digital transition moves a stage previously controlled by driving schools into the public infrastructure, forcing traditional centers to compete by focusing on practical training, vehicle availability, and customer service.

Additionally, the market is seeing a rise in independent instructors, who accounted for 13.2% of the 4,182,803 practical courses conducted between January and August 2026.