How much does it cost to renew your driver's license?

How much does it cost to renew your driver's license? This question is linked to other questions, such as how long you have to renew and when the deadline is.

What is a driver's license?

Firstly, according to Agência Brasil, the definition of a CNH, whether physical or digital, is one of the documents that a driver – you, relatives, friends or third parties – must carry while driving their vehicle, whatever it may be.

Known as a driver's license or CNH, it is the document that guarantees the right to drive a vehicle, whatever it may be – there are different types and your license must be comparable to the one you are driving.

However, you must pass medical and psychometric exams, as well as take classes at a CFC (driver training center), a popular driving school accredited by the DMV. You'll also need to pass a theoretical and practical test.

An interesting detail is that today, your driver's license may replace your ID card as your personal identification document. It's the driver's license, with a photo, a handwritten signature, and all relevant driver information.

Furthermore, as mentioned, you can have either a physical or digital driver's license—or even both, which is recommended to avoid problems. To do so, simply register your document in a dedicated app available for Android and iOS.

However, you will only be able to register for a digital CNH when you already have your printed license in hand.

Another important detail is that during the pandemic, several rules regarding the issuance and renewal of expired driver's licenses changed. And now, in 2023, further changes are taking place.

Expired driver's license: what to do?

If your driver's license has expired, you have a maximum of 30 days after the expiration date to renew it. This is the time period determined by the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB) as sufficient for drivers to renew their license and become legal again.

However, during the pandemic, Contran Resolution No. 782/2020 changed this time limit to 8 months from the expiration date, allowing renewal to be done in a much longer period than the previous – and standard – CNH.

Now, in 2023, that has changed again. The resolution has been revoked, and the 30-day period after the driver's license expires is back in effect. Even so, if you're surprised by this information, there will still be a transition period.

When to renew your driver's license?

To help you, the driver, renew your driver's license, Contran has developed a calendar with the renewal deadlines for your driver's license, or license, that expire between October and December 2022.

The following list displays this information:

CNH expired in October 2022: deadline for renewal until June 30, 2023;
CNH expired in November 2022: deadline for renewal until July 31, 2023;
Driver's license expired in December 2022: renewal deadline until August 31, 2023.

However, it is recommended not to delay in submitting your renewal, even if it is within the transition period and, especially when the 30-day period is fully in effect again.

Doing so helps you avoid the headache of being fined or even losing your license if you stay beyond the 30-day period. To do so, be sure to visit a DMV office to regularize your situation.

Additionally, in states such as São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Bahia and others, it is possible to renew your CNH through the official Detran website of those respective states.

If there is no renewal, what happens?

If you fail to renew within the deadline, you may be penalized in a number of ways.

Therefore, according to the Brazilian Traffic Code, CTB, an irregular driver may be penalized with a fine of approximately R$ 300.00 for a very serious infraction, losing seven points on their license.

Despite this, the document's validity has increased. Previously, it had an active lifespan of 10 years, but it was only 5 years, half that. However, it's important to note that this validity is for drivers under 50.

How to renew your driver's license?

First, it's important to emphasize that renewing your driver's license isn't a complicated process. However, app drivers, or others who have paid employment related to the use of their vehicles, have certain rules to follow.

You'll need to go to a physical DMV location—or visit the website, as mentioned above. Bring documents such as your ID, CPF/CNPJ, proof of residence, and your expired (or soon-to-expire) driver's license.

Furthermore, it's important to be aware that the documents must be originals, accompanied by a copy of each. The next step will be to capture the image, fingerprint, and signature.

Finally, you'll need to pay certain fees, which may vary from state to state. Another detail is that app drivers, for example, will also need to take a drug test.

Cost to renew your driver's license

The cost to renew your driver's license can vary from state to state, as mentioned above. However, the actual costs, which are important when calculating all your monthly expenses, need to be reported.

However, you'll find prices that typically range from R$70.00 to R$200.00. Some examples of the cost to renew your driver's license are:

Rio de Janeiro, costs R$183.24
Sao Paulo, costs R$ 124.06
Minas Gerais, costs R$ 120.89
Federal District, costs R$ 420
São Luís do Maranhão, costs R$ 75.00

These are some examples, which may or may not include exams, such as the ophthalmological exam that is included in the indicated value for the Federal District.

Additionally, the costs of medical and toxicology exams vary from state to state, so it's important to learn about these details in advance.

Conclusion on the cost of renewing your driver's license

In short, the process and cost of renewing your driver's license are complementary, though they differ—in terms of cost, which varies from state to state. Pay attention to the deadline and avoid the risk of becoming illegal.

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Valor Notícias Content Team 1 de June de 2023