Drivers in São Paulo Suspected of “Hosting” Other Drivers’ Fines for Money

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – With 4,500 points, a Brazilian national driver’s license (CNH) from Campinas (São Paulo) drew the attention of the State Traffic Department (Detran.SP) during investigations into the so-called “hosting” of fines, where people accept taking points for violations in exchange for money.

For the sake of comparison, DETRAN points out that more than 50 points over 12 months “are enough to open an investigation.” The license in question holds 90 times as many points.

During a survey by the traffic department, 250 suspected licenses were identified throughout the state, four of them in Campinas; and the one with 4,500 points holds the highest number of violations in the city.

Despite not detailing the total of fines registered in the license, Detran informs that of these four, the smallest number of points is 614.

The transfer of points from fines imposed on other drivers in exchange for money is a crime, and the perpetrator may be held liable for making a fraudulent declaration, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Drivers are also subject to an administrative proceeding in the transit agency.

Internet advertising

EPTV Production, an affiliate of Rede Globo, found ads on the Internet from people in the regions of Campinas and Piracicaba (São Paulo) who accept taking points in exchange for money.

Ads are found in groups on social media, including the amount per point to be transferred. Individuals taking the points set prices that vary depending on the type of license.

EPTV’s production staff spoke to two people offering to take the points. In both cases, the set price was R$25 (US$6.00) per point.