National Theoretical Driving Tests Rise 28%, Amapá Sees 2.5% Drop
Nationwide, the number of theoretical exams for obtaining a driver's license (CNH) surged by 28% in 2026 compared to the previous year, with over 1.1 million tests administered between January and April. However, the state of Amapá experienced a 2.5% decrease in theoretical exams during the first semester of 2026, with 6,647 tests conducted, down from 6,817 in the same period of 2025. Despite this decline in theoretical tests, Amapá saw a significant increase in practical driving exams. The state administered 9,364 practical tests from January to June 2026, a notable rise from 6,840 in 2025. This trend mirrors the national scenario, where 1.7 million practical exams were conducted in the first four months of 2026, marking a 21% increase. The rise in practical exams in Amapá is attributed to recent changes, including the elimination of the parallel parking maneuver and adjustments to passing score requirements, which encouraged candidates to complete their practical tests under the new regulations. Consequently, Amapá observed a 50.3% increase in overall candidate approvals across both theoretical and practical exams in the first half of 2026, with 14,557 candidates passing compared to 9,687 in the prior year. CNH renewals were the most frequent service sought at Detran-AP, accounting for 31.17% of applications between January and July, followed by first-time licenses.
The data suggests a divergence in driver's license testing trends between the national average and the state of Amapá. While national figures indicate robust growth in theoretical exams, Amapá's decline may reflect localized factors such as shifts in candidate behavior, administrative processes, or demographic changes. The significant increase in practical exams in Amapá, linked to regulatory adjustments, highlights how policy changes can rapidly influence testing volumes and potentially impact driver competency assessments. The overall rise in approvals suggests either improved candidate preparation, adjusted difficulty levels, or a combination thereof. Future analysis could explore the correlation between these testing trends and road safety statistics in Amapá to understand the broader implications of these shifts.
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