The disparity in fees charged by the traffic departments (Detrans) of each state for issuing and renewing driver’s licenses has ended . The National Traffic Secretariat (Senatran) has established a national ceiling of R$ 180 for the total cost of the exams required in the process of obtaining a National Driver’s License ( CNH ).
The measure, formalized by Ordinance No. 927/2025 and published in an extra edition of the Official Gazette of the Union on the evening of December 12, comes into effect immediately. The objective is to standardize costs and ease the burden on drivers, but the decision is already raising controversies about the feasibility and availability of service.
The bill will be cheaper.
The new rule is yet another focused on reducing costs for those who need to renew or obtain a driver’s license , and it comes after the government eliminated the requirement to attend driving school before taking the driving test . Now, candidates can study online and hire independent instructors , who can also be licensed online .
Regarding clinical examinations , until then, each State Department of Transportation (Detran) had the autonomy to set its own fees, creating significant financial disparities depending on the region of the country. In São Paulo, the complete package (medical exam + psychological evaluation ) totaled R$ 264.70 — R$ 122.17 for the doctor and R$ 142.53 for the psychologist. In Rio de Janeiro, it cost R$ 170, and in Minas Gerais, the medical exam alone cost R$ 221.85 , while in Espírito Santo, both exams totaled R$ 268.90.
With the stroke of a pen by the National Traffic Secretary, Adrualdo de Lima Catão, the maximum amount charged for the combination of the two exams cannot exceed R$ 180. In practice, this forces a revenue sharing that would limit the transfer to R$ 90 for each professional (doctor and psychologist), if the division is equal – which was not the case before.
The risk of a “blackout” of clinics.
With remuneration set at a level considered low by the profession, there is a real risk of doctors and psychologists withdrawing their accreditation from the Departments of Motor Vehicles (Detrans). The amounts are also below those set by state laws that define the amounts previously charged.
The reaction from the affected groups was swift. The National Mobilization of Traffic Doctors and Psychologists, which brings together members of Abramet (medicine) and Abrapsit (psychology), repudiated the measure. According to the organizations, the amount was set without technical cost studies or dialogue with the sector.
The technical argument is that the fee of R$ 90 per examination makes it impossible to maintain structures that require accessibility (according to ABNT NBR 9050 standards) and exclusive environments to guarantee the impartiality of the examination. The associations have already confirmed that they will seek legal and precautionary measures to overturn the ordinance, alleging risks to public health and road safety.
What happens now?
The regulation is in effect. If you renew your driver’s license today, you can theoretically already demand compliance with the R$180 limit. However, expect a period of turbulence and possible court injunctions in the coming days, while traffic departments and clinics try to adapt to — or combat — the new financial reality imposed by Brasília.
