Here is my experience in getting a Brazilian driver's license (CNH) in Sao Paulo. Hopefully this will be helpful to those getting their CNH for the first time
Website with requirements:
https://www.detran.sp.gov.br/wps/portal … ignatarios
First Appointment
Request an appointment online, which you need to apply, at:
https://www.poupatempo.sp.gov.br/wps/po … cos-de-cnh
The appointment options sometimes look slim or non-existent at certain locations, but I searched every day to get the day and time I wanted. The appointments seem to open up 2-3 weeks in advance, but the appointments fill up fast.
Tip: Suggest checking every day early in the morning 2-3 weeks before you want an appointment
Website for appointments: https://www.poupatempo.sp.gov.br/wps/po … n/homeTaOn
Select Agendamento, login with your GOV.BR credentials (or register), then CNH 1 via
Document to bring to all appointments at Detran
- Foreign drivers license (original and copy)
- Translation of above, be sure to have it signed with a wet (original) signature. They would not accept the digital signature on the translation for me
- CPF Proof
Website to downloaded this:
https://servicos.receita.fazenda.gov.br … ublica.asp
- Original CRNM card and copy of both sides
- Proof of address (electric bill, lease, etc). They seem to want originals, but I was able just to print two bills (electric and internet) in color
- Proof of Payment of the fee for the first CNH. This can be made at a lottery office or bank. Most locations also accept Brazilian debit cards
Note: I paid mine at a lottery office, but in the last appointment, even with the receipt, they said they could not find my payment and I would have to pay again.
I paid with a debit card after asking them to look again and them not finding the payment. Be sure the office accepts debit cards though as only some offices accept debit cards.
The first appointment was registering, waiting 5 minutes, then 15 minutes with first agent, then sat down again for 5 minutes to be called again for biometrics and then 10 minutes to take biometrics (photo + fingerprints). 45 minutes in total.
Medical and Psychotechnical Exams
They assigned me for the medical and psychotechnical exams. I was only offered appointments on three different days and then a few times on those days, and told there was no other options. The medical was next week and psychotechnical exam three weeks later, both in different offices When I inquired, they told me if I wanted different dates later than assigned, I had to call the medical or psychotechnical office directly, but that I could not choose another medical or psychotechnical office than the one they assigned. I rescheduled both, but note the new days and times did not appear on the Detran site, but that was not a problem.
Both appointments were very far from the Detran office and in opposite ends of the city, at least 30-45 minutes via Uber from my house. I guess they wanted to be sure I got a tour of the city while going to/from each appointment.
Medical Exam
A few notes on the medical exam:
Only accepted cash. Also, amount is odd, R$133.06, and they expected exact amounts. They had trouble with change and had to go get change. Note that the office I went to did not accept PIX or debit cards.
I called and changed appointment date for a future date. They told me I could only call one week in advance of the appointment date, which I did and they had an appointment for the next week (not wide open availability, but I was able to find one that worked)
Registered and they took one fingerprint to confirm my identity and required my CRNM card as identification.
The tests were straightforward: vision, blood pressure, basic movements (raising arms, balancing, squatting down, etc), weight, and then listened to heart and breathing.
Vision needs to be at least 20/40 for car license. Surprised to see that two people ahead of me failed the vision test (and they were upset)
Overall time from check-in to final paperwork: 40 minutes. Everyone in the office was pleasant and they provided a report showing I passed the medical test at the end.
Psychotechnical Exams
Required one fingerprint and CRNM card as identification. Arrived at the office on-time and the while process took less than 60 minutes. The exam for me was answering 40 questions showing differences amount pictures, then a timed exam of drawing straight lines.
I would suggest that you watch some of the Youtube videos on the exams. None were that difficult, but there was one drawing as many straight lines as possible in one minute periods that I could not figure out the purpose of.
Google EXAME PSICOTÉCNICO DETRAN 2023 and you'll find a number of videos. Be sure to watch one of the videos on drawing the straight lines, otherwise you may be baffled on what to do (and you still will be afterwards on understanding the point of that exercise).
Second Detran Visit
Once I completed the medical and psychotechnical exams and passed, I needed to visit Detran again with all the paperwork again. I made an appointment in advance at the site noted earlier assuming that I would pass both exams.
This visit took about 75 minutes. They verified all of the documents again, added stamps to the documents with the agent signing them and then at the end, taking them to the Detran manager to sign off on as a second person. The one thing I was asked for during the interview was what category I was applying for, which was a Class/Category B for cars. I also had to fill that out a form stating that and that I had an equivalent license. They then scanned each of the documents, using the originals. As these were reviewed the first time, there were not any issues.
After all the documents were verified, signed off on and scanned in, the agent told me I would receive my CNH in about 30 days, with the online version available in about 15 days.
Tip: You need an appointment in advance again and you must go to the same Detran office where you started the process. No other Detran office in Sao Paulo can access your records. I made the mistake of making an appointment at another office and they could not help me, so needed to start over.
Third Detran Visit
I did not receive my CNH so after 45 days when back to the office to inquire, bringing all of my documents and receipts from prior visits. I did not have an appointment, so all they were willing to do was walk me over to the machine to make an appointment.
Fourth Detran Visit
A couple weeks later, with my appointment, I came back to Detran and they could not figure out what was wrong, so they scanned all of the documents in again and submitted them again. Once again, they told me I should expect my CNH in about 30 days in the mail, and if any problems, make an appointment and come back again.
Received my CNH!
Fortunately, about 25 days later, I received my official CNH!
Tip: Be super patient, as this process can be quite frustrating at times, but ultimately you will get your CNH.
