How to convert your driving license to a Brazilian license?

A traditional French car on a Brazilian country road.

Converting your driving license to a Brazilian license is an essential process for those who plan to move to Brazil or stay there for a long period of time. I have written this article to guide you step by step on how to do this conversion.

1. Eligibility for conversion:

Before starting the process, it is important to know that you are eligible to convert your license into a Brazilian license if you:

• have resided in Brazilian territory for more than 180 days

• be permanent or temporary resident with a valid visa

2. Necessary documents to have:

The process requires the presentation of various documents, here is the list:

• Authentic and valid driver's license.

• Proof of legal residence in Brazil (rent, ENEL bill for example).

• ID card, passport or RNE (identity document of foreigner resident in Brazil).

• CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas - tax identification number in Brazil)

• Translation of the driver's license (I talk about it in detail in chapter 3)

I advise you to make photocopies of all these documents and provide them at your appointment at DETRAN. Organizations such as DETRAN and the Federal Police do not always, if ever, agree to make photocopies.

3. Certified translation of the license:

Your driver's license must be translated into Portuguese by a certified translator in Brazil, and authenticated (reconhecimento) by a cartório (R$ 6.07 in Fortaleza).

In Fortaleza, the cost of the translation is between R$ 75.00 and R$ 100.00 (February 2024).

4. DETRAN:

The conversion process is done at the DETRAN (Departamento Estadual de Trânsito) of the State where you reside in Brazil.

1. Make an appointment on the DETRAN website, selecting the Serviços Habilitação Registro de Estrangeiro in the Habilitação tab.

2. Enter your CPF and click on Agendar, select your city and the DETRAN of your choice, and finally the day and time of your choice.

On the day of the appointment, the process is done in two steps:

1. submission of all requested documents.

2. photography and fingerprint collection.

5. Undergo medical and psychological examinations

These examinations are mandatory and must be carried out by professionals approved by DETRAN:

• the vision test: it's very simple, a "doctor" makes you read a series of letters (like at the ophthalmologist) while hiding one eye (once the left, once the right).

Vision test

• the psychotechnical test: a psychologist makes you take 4 different tests.

  • the first consists of identifying and checking symbols in a series of different symbols. There are several levels of difficulty but I assure you, nothing very complicated.

Test 1 - Spot a given symbol as many times as possible in this sequence.

• The second is a memory test in which you have to memorize different shapes and transcribe them after 1 minute.

Test 2 - Memorize the figures for 1 minute.

• The third is a classic psychotechnical test during which you have to solve puzzles by selecting the correct answer.

Test 3 - Sélectionner la figure qui correspond.

• Finally, the last test consists of making 3 drawings on a white sheet: a house, a tree and a "man". BE CAREFUL, although it seems simple, do not forget to draw the details such as the ground for the three drawings, and the fingers for the "man".

Drawing of a house.

6. Pay the conversion fee

In Fortaleza, the cost of the exams is R$ 224.23 (February 2024).

In Fortaleza, the cost of the DETRAN tax is R$ 264.47 (February 2024).

7. Wait for the Brazilian license to be issued

Once all the steps have been completed and the documents have been submitted, you will have to wait for your new Brazilian license to be issued. It takes about 10 days to receive it at home.

If you do not receive it within this period or you were unable to be present at the time of delivery (the delivery of the license is only done upon signature of the person concerned and with presentation of an identity document), it may have been returned to the post office.

In Fortaleza, the post office that handles the issuance of driving licenses is located at the following address: CTCE Fortaleza - Av. Oliveira Paiva, 2800 - Cidade dos Funcionários, Fortaleza - CE, 61955-000.

Additional tips:

• Check the status of your application regularly on the DETRAN website.

• Keep copies of all documents submitted for your file.

• Be prepared to provide additional documents if requested by DETRAN.
  

Things to know

Each state may have slightly different procedures, so it is recommended to check the local DETRAN website for specific information. I went to two different cartório in the same city (the one in Shopping Iguatemi and the one in Messejana in Fortaleza) before getting the correct information (from the one in Maraponga in Fortaleza).

The information in question was whether or not you lose your license when converting. So the answer to this question is: NO, we do not lose our license when converting to a Brazilian license.

Conclusion

Converting a driver's license to a Brazilian license requires preparation and patience. By following these steps and preparing properly, the process can go smoothly. It is always recommended to consult the DETRAN website for up-to-date and accurate information.