More than 5 thousand driver's licenses are at the Detran waiting to be picked up
The document is important as identification and for presentation to traffic enforcement agencies
In the last three months, about 5 thousand National Driver's Licenses (CNHs) have returned to the headquarters of the Department of Transit of the State of Pará (Detran), in Belém, because they could not be delivered to their owners.
According to Detran, the main reason for the abandonment of paper CNHs is the popularization of the Digital CNH, which also contributes to many drivers not seeking the physical version, prolonging the time the documents remain idle waiting for pickup.
Although the electronic model is practical, the recommendation is that everyone pick up the printed document, as the digital version depends on electronic devices and power to be accessed. Furthermore, the physical license is still important as it is a valid personal identification document throughout Brazil.
The second reason is the failure to update the owner's address. The agency warns about the importance of keeping the address always updated to receive notifications, fines, and correspondence — and to check if the ZIP code is correct on the Post Office website. The update is a free service and can be done by scheduling an in-person appointment at Detran or at the agency's offices, with the presentation of identification and the new proof of residence.
The CNHs issued for drivers in Belém and the metropolitan region return to the headquarters of Detran, while those from other municipalities are sent to the nearest Ciretrans after three delivery attempts by the Post Office. Users can check if the document is available through tracking on the Post Office website, valid for up to three months.
Pickup can only be done in person by the owner or by another person with a notarized power of attorney. In the case of relatives, only parents and siblings with the same parentage as the document holder can pick up the CNH without a power of attorney.
The director of Driver Licensing and Vehicle Registration at Detran, Ana Carolina Sampaio, emphasizes the importance of drivers picking up their Driver's License. "It is essential for the driver to come and pick up their physical CNH. The digital version, although practical, depends on an electronic device and power to function, and may not be available in all situations. Moreover, when the CNH is not picked up, the environmental impact is also significant, with paper waste. Therefore, we reinforce that drivers check their status, keep their address updated, and pick up the document as soon as it is available," she explains.
Detran emphasizes that upon receiving the delivery notice or identifying in the Post Office tracking that the CNH has returned to the agency, the driver should go to the headquarters or the indicated Ciretran as soon as possible. This way, they avoid inconveniences, ensure the document is always on hand, and help reduce the waste of public and environmental resources from printing.
Text by Luis Azevedo / Ascom Detran
