New rules for returning drivers' licenses after deprivation have come into force

On October 20, 2018, a government decree published last week came into force, changing the procedure for returning a driver’s license after deprivation. As Kommersant writes, on the eve of the entry into force of the document, regional traffic police departments received a letter from the State Traffic Inspectorate of Russia with recommendations regarding the new rules.

According to the updated requirements, in order to obtain a selected license, drivers are still required to provide a medical certificate if they have been deprived of their license under administrative charges: for drunk driving, for refusing a medical examination, or for drinking alcohol immediately after an accident.

The letter also states that the resolution duplicates the requirement of Article 32.6 of the Code of Administrative Offenses regarding the need to confirm payment of debts on fines for traffic violations. Contrary to reports last week, this requirement is not new.

At the same time, in cases where the driver has been deprived of his license under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, a certificate is no longer needed to return the document, as well as confirmation of payment of debts on fines.

Finally, the updated rules retained the requirement for all disqualified drivers to pass a theoretical test. However, if previously we were talking about testing knowledge of traffic rules, the basics of first aid, car design, and the basics of legislation (as for those taking their license for the first time), now only knowledge of traffic rules will be tested for disqualified people.

Let us recall that at the end of September, the Main Directorate for Road Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia proposed to limit offenders from receiving public services when evading payment of fines.