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Driving abroad with a Brazilian licence: step by step

The PID translates the Brazilian CNH into seven languages but doesn’t replace it. How to apply, what it costs in São Paulo, how long it takes and what to carry.

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7 min read

A hand on the steering wheel of a moving car, with a wristwatch on the driver’s arm
Photo by why kei on Unsplash

People who plan to rent a car abroad often find out too late that a Brazilian driving licence, on its own, doesn’t settle everything. The document many rental companies and traffic authorities expect to see alongside it is the PID, the Permissão Internacional para Dirigir, or International Driving Permit. Applying is simple and handled by your state’s Detran. The timeline is what trips people up.

The short answer: the PID translates your CNH (the Brazilian licence) into seven languages and is valid in countries that signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, but it only works together with the original licence. Without the CNH, it’s worth nothing.

What the PID is, and what it isn’t

The PID follows the format of the Vienna Convention, signed on 8 November 1968 and enacted in Brazil by Decree 86,714 of 10 December 1981, according to the Santa Catarina state government. Paraná’s Detran gives the essentials: the document translates the CNH into seven languages and is valid only when carried with the original licence.

That clears up two common mix-ups:

  • The PID is not a second licence. It doesn’t give you the right to drive. The CNH does that, and the PID is the official translation a traffic officer or rental agent can read.
  • The PID isn’t valid everywhere. It’s valid in countries that are party to the Convention. São Paulo’s state news agency, Agência SP, speaks of about 90 countries, but the list changes and so do local rules. What the rental company demands is another layer, and it can be stricter.

Step by step

1. Check that your destination accepts it and what the rental company asks

Before you spend on the document, confirm two things: whether the destination country is party to the Vienna Convention, and which documents the rental company requires. Check the country’s traffic authority and the company’s terms. Requirements vary by country and by company, so read the conditions before you book.

If you’re heading to a left-hand-traffic country, also see how to adapt to driving on the left, which usually matters more than the paperwork.

2. Check the status of your CNH

The PID is only issued to drivers in good standing. At Detran-SP, the licence must have been issued in the state, be in date and free of restrictions, and must not be in a process of adding or changing category or any other process that leads to a new licence. Holders of a provisional licence (Permissão para Dirigir) or a full CNH can apply.

In Paraná, the service is for people whose CNH was issued by that state.

3. Apply to the Detran of the state that issued your licence

You apply to the Detran of the state that issued your licence. The procedure varies by state:

  • Paraná: online, through the Detran-PR app, or in person at driving schools (CFCs) and Detran offices. You need an official photo ID and your CPF.
  • São Paulo: online, entering your details, checking your personal information and confirming the delivery address. You can also apply in person at the Detran.SP office where your CNH is registered, or at Poupatempo service points.

Always use your state Detran’s official site or the gov.br portal. Travel documents are a common target for fake websites, and the PID is no exception: the government is the only issuer.

4. Pay the fee

The amount varies by state and changes over time. According to Agência SP, in August 2026 the PID fee in São Paulo was R$ 422.62, plus R$ 11 for postage via the Correios. Detran-PR doesn’t publish the amount on the service page and points to a fee lookup. Confirm the current amount on your Detran’s site before paying.

5. Wait, and count the time generously

Here’s the trap. The wait has two parts.

  • Issuing. Detran-SP takes up to 3 working days to issue the document.
  • Delivery. In São Paulo, delivery by post takes about two weeks, or up to 14 working days, according to Agência SP. In Paraná, the Detran says delivery takes up to 10 working days, to the mailing address registered with Detran-PR.

Adding issuing and delivery, 2 to 3 weeks is easily reached. Apply at least a month ahead. People who leave it to the week of departure risk travelling without the document.

6. Check the validity

Detran-PR says the PID is valid for a maximum of three years from issue, or until the CNH expires, whichever comes first. If your licence expires in a few months, renew it before applying for the PID.

7. Carry it all together

In your hand luggage, not your checked bag, take:

  • the original CNH (in date);
  • the PID;
  • your passport.

It pays to have all three to hand: the rental company and traffic police may ask for any of them. A digital copy of the CNH and PID, kept on your phone and in the cloud, helps if something gets lost.

Common mistakes

  • Thinking the PID replaces the CNH. It doesn’t. Both sources we consulted, Detran-PR and Agência SP, say so plainly.
  • Applying late. The most frequent mistake, because of the delivery time.
  • Forgetting the CNH must be valid. The PID loses validity together with it.
  • Not reading the rental company’s rules. Some require a minimum time holding a licence, a minimum age or extra fees for young drivers. That is outside the PID’s reach.
  • Applying on an unofficial site. Pay only through Detran or gov.br channels. To understand the risk of scams around travel documents, see our guide to finding the official site for a travel authorisation.

What it really costs

The PID is only part of the cost. To plan a budget, add up:

Item Note
PID fee R$ 422.62 in São Paulo (August 2026); varies by state
Postage via the Correios R$ 11 in São Paulo
Rental company May charge extra for young drivers or those with little time on their licence
Insurance Check the cover required in the country

On short trips with good public transport, the sum sometimes doesn’t pay off. In destinations where a car makes the difference, such as rural routes, the PID’s cost is usually small next to what you save.

Quick questions

Is the PID valid in every country?

No. It’s valid in countries that signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Agência SP speaks of about 90. Confirm your destination before applying.

Can I drive with only the PID, without the CNH?

No. According to Detran-PR, it’s valid only when accompanied by the original licence.

How long is the PID valid?

In Paraná, a maximum of three years, or until the CNH expires, whichever comes first. Check your state’s rule.

Do I need the PID to rent a car in the UK or Europe?

It depends on the country and the rental company, and there’s no single answer. Check the local traffic authority and the company’s conditions. If you’re going to the UK, also see what Brazilians need to know about the ETA, the entry authorisation.

Before you apply

Do it in this order: check the rules for your destination and the rental company, make sure your CNH is in good standing, apply to your state’s Detran with a month to spare and carry the CNH, PID and passport in your hand luggage. It’s a short, cheap process next to the price of a trip, and it spares you standing at the rental desk with a problem.

Sources

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