The bureaucracy of notary offices and the days-long wait to regularize the purchase and sale of a car are becoming a thing of the past in São Paulo. The Digital Vehicle Transfer (TDV), a system that allows the entire ownership change process to be carried out 100% online, surpassed the mark of 110,000 transactions completed by December 2025 .
Originally launched in March 2024, the tool gained momentum this year, registering a peak in operations in November . The appeal lies not only in the convenience but also in the speed: the process, which includes issuing the new document, is completed in a maximum of 5 minutes . In many cases, the operation is completed in just a few seconds .
Saving time and money
The financial impact of digitalization is significant. According to estimates from the São Paulo State Department of Transportation (Detran-SP), the tool has generated savings exceeding R$34 million since its launch .
The biggest beneficiaries are car owners, who saved approximately R$31.5 million during this period . This calculation considers the elimination of costs related to travel, time lost in queues, hiring intermediary agents, and, most importantly, the notary fee, which becomes unnecessary with the Vehicle Transfer Tax (TDV) .
How does the technology work?
The legal and technical security of the process, crucial to preventing fraud in vehicle sales, is guaranteed by a government ecosystem. TDV uses biometric facial recognition to validate the identity of those involved and performs real-time data cross-referencing between the databases of Detran-SP (São Paulo State Traffic Department), the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), and the Federal Revenue Service. Furthermore, the entire operation is protected by advanced cryptography and blockchain technology , ensuring transaction integrity without the need for paper.
To begin the process, the citizen uses the Digital Traffic Wallet (CDT) app to register the sale notification. From there, they are automatically directed to the TDV interface to complete the transfer . Access can be made via the Detran-SP portal or app, and also through the Poupatempo Digital app .
Expansion for retailers and record-breaking sales.
Initially restricted to transactions between individuals, TDV has expanded its scope and today serves virtually any transfer scenario. This includes the purchase of vehicles from dealerships, allowing the customer to leave the store with the car in their name immediately, as well as the sale from a private individual to a dealership.
This expansion of the service was directly reflected in the numbers. In a single day, the system recorded 800 digital transfers . In November alone, 8,018 transactions were carried out via digital transfer in the state of São Paulo .
Unlike traditional notary offices, TDV offers a much wider operating window. The service is available every day of the week, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 6 am to 10 pm .
