As you may know, nowadays we have the Digital Driver's License (CNH Digital), but you might also wonder if the physical CNH will really disappear with this new modality. Today we're going to clear up all your doubts, so stay tuned.

First, let's explain how the Digital Driver's License works and what it represents, as well as the physical one, so you can decide whether or not you'll end up needing both.

In general, the physical driver's license has been replaced by the digital driver's license and can be used throughout the national territory, without the need for the physical one, but cannot be used outside of Brazil.

Available to those who obtained their driver's license from March 2017 onwards, when it began to be printed with a QR Code on the back, you can use this code to register in the application.

The original and official app is CNH Digital, where you register your vehicle and receive a complete history, including fines, vehicle registration certificate (CRLV), and expiration notices.

But even without the need to carry a physical driver's license in the country, it's always a good idea. For example, if your phone battery dies when you're stopped, you'll be fined and lose points.

That's because if you don't have access to the app at the moment, it counts as if you weren't carrying your driver's license. Important detail: you don't need internet access to use the Digital Driver's License app, okay?

This document's new format was implemented at the beginning of June 2022. Furthermore, the National Traffic Council (Contran) has stated that it must be submitted in physical, digital, or both formats.

In other words, the physical driver's license isn't going away, since it's indispensable. What's happening is that you can generate a digital version of your physical driver's license from it, but never the other way around, understand?

That's because the QR code needed to register and generate the digital driver's license is located on the back of the physical driver's license. Furthermore, its use abroad is permitted if you have an International Driving Permit.

Now, if your driver's license doesn't have a QR code, you can request a duplicate, or renew and receive an updated version starting this year. The new version will contain all your information, as well as your photo!

The recent version of the physical driver's license has undergone visual changes, such as the "Observations" section being moved to the bottom, with a vehicle table now displayed at the top to identify the driver's category.

At the top, the driver's photo will be placed above the signature, in the same style as international driver's licenses, using new codes.

Furthermore, to prevent and reduce fraud, the colors of the driver's license were also changed, replacing dark green with green, blue, gray, and yellow.

Using special inks that react to UV light and anti-scan technology, the driver's license also has unique security features to minimize the risk of counterfeiting.

Furthermore, the PPD (Provisional Driving Permit) and the ACC (Authorization to Drive Mopeds) will now have the same design as the recent CNH (National Driver's License).

So, you've already understood everything about physical and digital driver's licenses, and you know that they're not going away, and that having your physical driver's license is essential.

However, it's worth emphasizing that in everyday life there's no real need to carry a physical driver's license as long as you're in the country.

Now, if you want to know even more about how the Digital Driver's License works, its benefits, and much more, check out this other article we've prepared exclusively for you: