Russia Shortens Driver License Exam Deadline

The deadline for passing the practical driving exam in Russia has been reduced from six months to 60 days following the successful completion of the theory test. Alexander Lytkin, chief expert of the National Expert Council for Driver Training and Testing, stated the change is viewed as correct by the driving community. The exact volume of affected applicants has not yet been established. Russian authorities are implementing new regulations regarding driver training and testing. According to Alexander Lytkin of the expert council for driver training and testing, medical examinations will play a critical role in license validity. If a physician identifies contraindications during a routine exam and the driver fails a subsequent mandatory follow-up, both the medical certificate and the driver's license will be annulled. This specific part of the decree is scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2027, once system integration is complete. Russia will implement changes to driver's license acquisition procedures starting next year. The new rules will simplify parts of the process, such as removing the requirement to provide medical certificates if the data is already available in the system and the application was submitted via the State Services portal. Additionally, waiting periods for practical driving exams will be reduced. Following the successful completion of the theory exam, practical exams must be scheduled within a maximum of 60 days, compared to the current six-month wait.