Driver's license without driving school: what changes, advantages and disadvantages.

The possibility of removing the Driver's license without driving school. It became one of the most talked about and researched topics by Brazilians in 2025, promising to revolutionize access to driver's licenses in the country.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore: the Bill, the practical changes to the process, a cost comparison, the impacts on road safety, and new career opportunities for independent instructors.

Many citizens see the mandatory classes at Driver Training Centers (CFCs) as an insurmountable financial barrier, hindering their ability to obtain a driver's license and, consequently, their entry into the job market.

The legislative proposal aims to reduce bureaucracy in this process, allowing learning to occur more flexibly without sacrificing the necessary rigor in the theoretical and practical assessments applied by traffic authorities.

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What does the Bill say about ending the mandatory requirement?

The central debate revolves around Bill 6485/2019, authored by Representative Kim Kataguiri, which proposes ending the requirement to attend a driving school for categories A and B.

According to the text, the candidate would no longer need to prove hours of instruction at driving schools, and could choose to learn to drive with independent instructors accredited by the traffic departments.

This measure aims to break the monopoly of driving schools, arguing that the focus should be on the student's proven ability to drive, and not just on attendance at costly in-person classes.

You would have the freedom to study traffic laws on your own, using online learning materials, and take the theory tests directly at the DETRAN (Department of Motor Vehicles), paying only the state fees.

How would the process work with independent instructors?

The implementation of Driver's license without driving school. This does not mean that anyone can teach another person to drive without criteria, as safety remains the top priority on public roads.

The project envisions the creation of the independent instructor role, a professional who will need to be accredited by the local traffic authority to teach practical lessons in appropriate vehicles.

These instructors must have held a license in the desired category for at least three years, must not have received serious penalties recently, and must have completed a specific training course for teaching.

This opens up a new career category. Experienced drivers will be able to become professionals, offering a more personalized and, theoretically, more affordable service than the fixed packages offered by traditional companies.

What are the current costs versus the projected savings?

The financial factor is undoubtedly the biggest driver of this discussion. Currently, obtaining a driver's license in Brazil can cost between R$2,000.00 and R$3,500.00, depending on the state.

A large portion of this amount is allocated to mandatory classes (45 hours in total, including theory and practice), as well as vehicle rental for the test and administrative fees for driving schools.

With the approval of the model of Driver's license without driving school.The estimate is that costs will drop drastically, with reductions potentially reaching up to 80% of the total amount invested today.

See below a comparative table with estimates based on average prices in 2025:

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Aspect	Current Model (Mandatory CFC)	Proposed Model (Independent Instructor)
Theoretical Lessons	Required in class (High cost)	Self-study (Zero or low cost)
Practical Classes	Mandatory minimum of 20 hours (Driving School Vehicle)	Individual lessons with an instructor (Negotiable)
DETRAN fees	Paid separately	Paid separately (Remains)
Average Total Cost	R$ 3,000.00	R$ 600.00 to R$ 1,000.00

This cost-saving measure would allow low-income and unemployed youth easier access to an essential work tool, democratizing the right to drive throughout the country.

Why is this measure generating controversy among experts?

Despite the proposal's popularity among the population, traffic-related organizations and road safety experts are raising significant red flags about the risks involved in this relaxation of traffic laws.

The Brazilian Association of Traffic Medicine (Abramet), for example, frequently warns that formal training is crucial for developing risk perception and citizenship in traffic.

The concern is that, by learning from family members or instructors without the pedagogical structure of a school, the student will focus only on "passing the test," ignoring defensive driving rules.

There is also concern about the oversight of these independent instructors. How can we ensure that the vehicle used for training has safety adaptations, such as dual brake controls?

Another negative point raised is the potential overload of the DETRANs (Brazilian state traffic departments), which would need to absorb all the administrative and scheduling demands that are currently handled by accredited driving schools.

To learn more about the official process and legislative details, you can consult the official website of... Chamber of Deputies, which updates the status of Bill 6485/2019 and related projects.

Will the change in legislation affect categories C, D, and E?

It is essential to clarify that the proposal of Driver's license without driving school. It focuses exclusively on amateur categories, namely A (motorcycles) and B (passenger cars), which represent the majority of drivers.

For professional categories (C, D, and E), which involve the transport of cargo, passengers, and articulated vehicles, the requirement for specialized and toxicological training remains unchanged and rigorous.

This is because driving these vehicles requires complex technical skills and a high level of responsibility, and it is not safe to allow learning outside of a controlled and professionally supervised environment.

Therefore, if your goal is to build a career as a truck driver or bus driver, the path through specialized schools and training courses will continue to be mandatory.

When will the change definitively take effect?

Many Brazilians believe the law is already in effect, but caution is needed. The legislative process in Brazil involves approval in committees, voting in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and presidential sanction.

In 2025, the project advanced important stages, but practical implementation also depends on regulation by CONTRAN (National Traffic Council) to define the rules for the exams.

The states, through their departments of transportation, will also need an adjustment period to restructure their scheduling and accreditation systems for independent instructors.

Thus, although expectations are high, the transition from the current model to self-learning will not be immediate "overnight," requiring patience from future drivers.

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The impact on the job market and new careers.

Looking at it from a career perspective, this change could lead to a boom Individual entrepreneurship. Experienced and retired drivers could find a new source of income as private instructors.

The demand for individual practical driving lessons is expected to grow, because even without mandatory hours, most people will need practical guidance to master the vehicle before the exam.

This creates a competitive market where the quality of teaching and the instructor's teaching methods will be the differentiating factors, and no longer just the location or the fixed price of a driving school.

Furthermore, the ease of obtaining a driver's license can integrate millions of Brazilians into the formal job market, filling positions that require a license, such as outside sales, deliveries, and technical services.

Tips for preparing in case the law is approved.

If you are waiting for approval to get your driver's license, you can start studying the theory now. The Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB) is available for free online public consultation.

DMV practice test apps are also excellent tools for testing your knowledge of traffic signs, traffic regulations, and basic mechanics, allowing you to get a head start on your intellectual preparation.

Talk to experienced drivers in your family about the real challenges of traffic. Careful observation from the passenger seat is already a valid form of passive learning.

Remember: responsibility behind the wheel is individual. Regardless of how you learned to drive, your behavior on the roads defines the safety of everyone around you.

Conclusion

A Driver's license without driving school. This represents a potential modernization and democratization of access to transportation in Brazil, aligning the country with models already practiced in nations such as the United States.

Although it brings clear financial benefits and freedom of choice, the measure requires a corresponding increase in responsibility on the part of future drivers and independent instructors.

The evolution of this debate in 2025 shows that society yearns for change, but road safety should never be negotiated solely for the sake of cost savings.

For up-to-date statistics on traffic safety and data on the effectiveness of driver training, we recommend reading the reports from... Traffic Portal, an authority on the subject.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Has the driver's license option without driving school already been approved for 2025?

It is not yet law throughout the entire national territory. The bill is being processed in the legislature and depends on presidential approval and regulation by traffic authorities to effectively come into force.

2. Will practical and theoretical exams cease to exist?

No. The assessments administered by the DETRAN (Department of Motor Vehicles) will remain mandatory and just as rigorous. The only change is in how you learn (lessons) before taking the test.

3. Can I learn to drive with any member of my family?

The project stipulates the need for accredited instructors for practical lessons. Completely "home-based" instruction without supervision from a qualified and registered professional may not be permitted.

4. Will the cost of a driver's license become cheaper?

Yes, the estimate is a drastic reduction in costs, eliminating the mandatory lesson packages from driving schools, leaving only state fees and payment to the independent instructor.

5. Does this apply to truck and bus categories?

No. The proposal to make driving schools optional only focuses on amateur categories A (motorcycles) and B (passenger cars). Professionals will continue to have specific requirements.