CNH translation: what it is, where it is worth and how much does it cost to drive abroad

The demand for the International Driving Permit (IDP) broke a record in São Paulo. Detran-SP issued 41,907 documents between January and June 2026, an increase of 46% over the 28,643 permits in the same period last year and the highest volume for a first semester in the decade. The leap, attributed by the agency to the digitalization of the service, reposes a frequent doubt among those who plan to travel: after all, what is the IDP, where is it required and how much does it cost?

Despite the nickname “international CNH”, the permit is not a license. It is the official translation of the National Driver’s License into seven languages — Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, German, Russian and Arabic — in the format standardized by the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, of 1968. Therefore, it only has value when presented together with the original CNH. The document is printed and does not exist in a digital version. In Brazil, it is not valid: here, only the CNH allows you to drive.

Where PID is required

The permission is recognized by the countries that have adhered to the Vienna Convention — about 90, including Germany, the United States, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Turkey, South Africa and the Bahamas. There are relevant exceptions: by reciprocity agreements, the IDP is waived in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Spain and Mozambique, where it is enough to present the physical CNH within the validity period.

Even in destinations that accept the Brazilian license, car rental companies usually ask for the IDP at the time of car pickup. The recommendation of Detran-SP is to consult the embassy or consulate of the destination country before boarding, since the rules vary and are not defined by the Brazilian agency.

How to order and how much it costs

In São Paulo, the request is made on the Detran-SP portal with login to the Gov.br account, or in person at Detran-SP and Poupatempo units — in this case, the driver can be represented by an attorney. The issuance fee is R$ 422.62, plus R$ 11 for postal mail, with payment via Pix, lottery stores or partner banks. The value is not national: each DMV sets its own fare, and there are states that charge less than a third of that.

To apply, you must have a valid CNH issued in São Paulo, and without impediments such as suspension, revocation or the process of adding a category in progress. The DMV-SP informs a deadline of up to three days to issue the document, which goes through the Post Office and arrives within 14 business days – a margin to consider for those who have a trip scheduled. The PID is valid for up to three years or until the expiration of the CNH, whichever comes first. In addition to Detrans, the Brazilian Automobile Club is the only entity authorized by Senatran to issue the permit.