Brazil: Agência Brasil explains point limits on driver’s licenses

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The changes made to the Brazilian Traffic Code will complete one year next month. Since 2021, drivers must be aware of the number of points that can lead to the suspension of driving for up to one year. In the case of recidivism, the restriction can reach two years and the payment of fines.

The limit of points that can lead to the National Driver’s License (CNH) suspension went from 20 to 40. However, the total number of points to lose the license temporarily can decrease according to the number of severe fines accumulated by the driver.

According to the code, the CNH is only returned to the driver after the penalty and the mandatory recycling course are over.

If the driver is caught driving a vehicle with a suspended license, they will have to pay a fine of approximately R$900 (US$188), and the vehicle will be withheld until another qualified person arrives, in addition to having the license revoked for two years.

NEW SCORE

Before the changes came into effect, the driver who reached 20 points during a 12-month period would have his license suspended. Now, the suspension is staggered. The driver has his license suspended with 20 points (if he has two or more very serious infractions), 30 points (one very serious offense in the score), 40 points (no very serious violation in the score).

In the case of the driver who exercises paid activities, such as taxi drivers and transportation apps, the suspension only occurs when he reaches the fixed number of 40 points, regardless of the seriousness of the infraction.

The very serious fine is R$239.37 and generates seven points on the CNH. The driver commits this type of infraction by driving while talking on his cell phone, jumping the traffic lights, riding in the exclusive bus lane, and stopping in a spot reserved for the disabled, among other behaviors.

The other infractions generate fewer points – serious (five points), medium (four points), and light (three points).

To check the number of points on their license, drivers can access the Detran website for their state or download the official CNH Digital application for cell phones.

With information from Agência Brasil

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