Get to know the CNH Social and find out how to apply for this benefit, making it possible to get your long-awaited driving licence.
Getting a driving licence is the dream of many people, especially young people. As well as bringing personal advantages and benefits, having a CNH can open doors to various career opportunities, promoting practicality, independence and quality of life.
However, one of the biggest problems many people face, especially those on low incomes, is the high cost of completing all the stages of obtaining a licence. With this in mind, the government launched the CNH Social programme, also known as CNH gratuita or CNH Popular.
CNH Social is a social project aimed at the training and professional qualification of vehicle drivers, both cars and motorbikes, and focuses especially on low-income people, enabling this section of the population to have the opportunity to obtain their long-desired driving licence.
With this social initiative, the programme aims to train these people for job vacancies that require a driving licence. In other words, in addition to personal satisfaction, the beneficiaries can boost their careers with their licence.
But despite being a government programme, the CNH social is not yet available in all Brazilian states. In other words, until it becomes a federal programme and not just a state one, you'll need to check if your state is on the list of those that benefit from it.
The CNH Social allows participants in the programme to obtain category A and B, meaning that the driver can drive cars or motorbikes, or even both vehicles.
With the CNH Popular programme, participants pay absolutely nothing at any stage. This means that absolutely all fees are covered by the programme, including Detran fees.
To apply and be approved for the programme, you need to meet certain requirements, such as being over 18, a beneficiary of the Bolsa Família or another government social programme, among others, which will be detailed later.
Read on to find out more about the CNH Social and find out if you meet the requirements to get your licence for free.
Quick Index:
What is the CNH Social?
The National Social Driver's Licence (CNH Social) is a government programme that offers low-income people the opportunity to obtain their National Driver's Licence (CNH) free of charge or at a subsidised rate.
This initiative aims to promote social inclusion and employability, enabling more people to have access to a driving licence.
Benefits of the CNH Social
The CNH Social (Social Driver's Licence) offers a number of benefits to applicants who pass the programme. As well as enabling people on low incomes to obtain their driving licence free of charge, the programme also offers other benefits, such as:
Fee exemption: Successful candidates do not have to pay any fees related to the process of obtaining a CNH, such as medical, psychological, theoretical and practical exam fees.
Free theory and practical classes: In addition to the fee exemption, candidates are entitled to free theory and practical lessons offered by Driver Training Centres (CFCs) accredited to the programme.
Social inclusion and employability: The CNH Social promotes social inclusion by giving people on low incomes access to a driving licence. In addition, having a CNH can increase your chances of employment, since many jobs require you to have a driving licence.
Who can take part in the programme?
To apply for the CNH Social, you need to fulfil some basic requirements. Generally, the criteria may vary according to each Brazilian state, as the programme is managed by the State Secretariats of Social Assistance. However, the most common criteria include:
- Have a family income of up to 2 or 3 minimum wages;
- Be registered with the Federal Government's Single Registry for Social Programmes (CadÚnico);
- Beneficiaries of social programmes such as Bolsa Família;
- Have been unemployed for at least a year;
- Be over 18 years old;
- Know how to read and write;
- Have a NIS (social enrolment number).
- Reside in a state that offers the programme.
Once these requirements have been met, those interested can apply for the CNH Social programmes and wait for approval.
Once the application is approved, the beneficiary receives exemption from significant costs for obtaining the National Driver's Licence, including:
- Detran fees related to the CNH.
- Necessary medical examinations.
- Costs associated with theory and practical lessons, as well as driving tests.
Selection criteria
Due to the large number of entries, the states establish tie-breaking criteria, such as:
- Lowest Per Capita Income: Preference for candidates with the lowest income per person.
- Greater Number of Family Members: Emphasis on larger families.
- Complete primary education: Benefit for candidates with this education.
- Enrolment in the CadÚnico and Receipt of Social Benefits: Extra points for those enrolled in the CadÚnico and already receiving social benefits.
- Date and time of registration: In the event of a persistent tie, priority will be given to the person who registered the earliest.
How to register for the CNH Social?
To enrol in the CNH Social, candidates must pay attention to the enrolment periods published by their state's Secretary of State for Social Assistance. Generally, the enrolment process is carried out online, via the official CNH Social website or the state's Detran.
During the application period, candidates must fill in a form with their personal and family details, as well as prove that they meet the criteria set by the programme. After the enrolment period, candidates are selected on the basis of the information provided and the availability of places.
You'll also need to check with your state's Detran office to find out about enrolment and selection periods. Not all states are still part of the programme, so it's important to check availability in advance.
Conclusion
The CNH Social is an important initiative of the Brazilian government that aims to promote social inclusion and employability by offering the opportunity for low-income people to obtain their National Driver's Licence free of charge or subsidised.
As well as exempting candidates from the fees related to the process of obtaining a CNH, the programme also offers free theory and practical lessons, promoting driver training and qualification. As a result CNH Social contributes to the formation of more aware citizens and the reduction of social inequalities in the country.
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