Circulating with the vehicle in compliance with traffic laws is an annual obligation of every Brazilian driver. However, forgetting the licensing due date or confusing the fee with the Motor Vehicle Property Tax (IPVA) are common problems that can generate headaches, which include heavy fines and even the removal of the car to the yard.
In this article you can see a complete guide on how the tax works, what is its relationship with the IPVA, the risks of running with the irregular document, the forms of consultation and the step-by-step process to settle debts.
SEE ALSO:
What is annual licensing? And TRLAV?
Licensing is the mandatory annual procedure that authorizes the vehicle to circulate legally on the country’s public roads. Provided for by the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB), it requires the payment of the Annual Vehicle Licensing Renewal Fee (TRLAV) and is mandatory for owners of cars, trailers and semi-trailers.
The payment of this fee results in the issuance of the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Certificate (CRLV), which currently works in 100% digital format and can be accessed in the CNH do Brasil application.
Difference between licensing and IPVA
Many owners believe that licensing and IPVA are the same thing, or that when paying the vehicle tax, the other is also already solved. However, this is not quite the case, because even if the state tax is fully paid, the vehicle will continue to be in an irregular situation before the inspection if the licensing fee is not paid. Usually, it is paid together with or right after the IPVA, but the calendar may vary depending on the state.
Once the payment of all vehicle debts has been cleared, the owner can access the CRLV-e through the CNH do Brasil application or through the Senatran Services Portal, being allowed to save the file in PDF. The app works offline, but if the cell phone runs out of battery in a blitz, the document will be considered not presented. It is recommended to have a hard copy as plan B.
How do I know if the licensing is expired?
There are some signs and official channels to check the real situation of the car. The recommendation for drivers is to combine more than one form of checking:
- Check the “Fiscal Year” field in the CRLV: open the current digital (or printed) document and locate the fiscal year. If the document indicates a year prior to the current one and the deadline of the state calendar has already expired, the licensing is delayed.
- CNH do Brasil application: after logging in with the gov.br account, just access the “Vehicles” tab and select the license plate. If the application displays only documents from previous years or no recent updates, there are indications of a delay.
- State DMV Website or Application: by informing the license plate and the Renavam number, the driver can view the “Vehicle Situation” or “Debts and Restrictions” tab. If the current year’s licensing line is listed as “open” or “pending”, the document is expired.
- Consultation of the RENAVAM Base through the Senatran Portal: through gov.br access, in the “Consult Vehicle” option, entering the owner’s CPF/CNPJ, license plate and Renavam, the national system points out all linked pending issues.
- Follow the State Calendar: the State Traffic Departments (Detrans) publish annual schedules based on the final number of the license plate. Generally, the deadlines extend from April to December. If the deadline for your license plate has passed and payment has not been made, the document is expired for inspection purposes.
If even after paying the IPVA, TRLAV and fines, the Detran system does not release the new CRLV-e, it means that there is still some administrative pending to be resolved.
Consequences and penalties of delay
Letting the licensing expire brings severe punishments to the driver and immediate restrictions on vehicle registration. According to article 230, item V of the CTB, driving a vehicle that is not registered or licensed constitutes a very serious infraction. Punishments include:
- Fine in the amount of R$ 293.47;
- Insertion of 7 points in the owner’s National Driver’s License (CNH);
- Retention and removal of the vehicle to the yard of the traffic agency if the irregularity cannot be remedied at the place of approach. This generates extra costs with towing and daily caution.
Impact on insurance and sales:
- The delay creates obstacles in inspections and policy renewals. In the event of an accident, if the car is seized due to documentary irregularity, the insurer may refuse to cover the costs arising from the event.
- The vehicle is prevented from carrying out ownership transfers (sales), issuance of duplicate documents and general registration updates at the DMV. The more time passes, the more interest and monetary corrections accumulate on the amounts owed.
Can a stopped car be fined?
There is no automatic assessment by the system for mere delay. The fine for expired licensing occurs strictly if the vehicle is caught circulating on a public road. However, the obligation to pay the fee annually remains the same even with the car stored in the garage.
How to regularize late licensing
The regularization process has become simplified and can be solved virtually through the following step-by-step:
- Total Debt Survey: the DMV adopts a policy of “cleaning the agenda”. Licensing is only released after the full discharge of all financial obligations linked to the vehicle. The following must be withdrawn and paid:
– Open IPVA (installments due or current year);
– Overdue traffic fines;
– The Licensing Fee (TRLAV);
– Any pending mandatory insurance (DPVAT), when applicable.
- Amounts and payment methods: the basic numbers change according to the federative unit. Payment can be made using the Renavam number at:
– Accredited bank branches and ATMs;
– Internet banking;
– Lottery houses;
– Pix (available in certain states).
- Installment options: many states allow the installment of overdue debts (including IPVA and fines). This can occur directly through the local DMV system or through accredited companies and authorized credit card operators;
- Issuance of the updated CRLV-e: as soon as there is bank clearing of the payments, the updated digital document will be available for download at the CNH do Brasil, on the state DMV website or on the Senatran Portal.
