Russia Proposes Overhaul of Driver Licensing: E‑Medical Records, Faster Exams, Tougher Anti‑Cheating Rules

Overview

• Under the draft, applicants filing through Gosuslugi would not need to submit a paper medical certificate if an electronic conclusion is in the federal health registry.
• Medical conclusions would be issued as electronic documents with data exchanged between the Interior Ministry and the Health Ministry via the unified interagency system.
• The practical driving test would have to be conducted within 60 calendar days after the theory pass, replacing the current six‑month window.
• Theory exam rooms would be outfitted for real‑time audio and video recording with protected storage that captures both examiners and candidates.
• Candidates whose theory results are annulled for using communication or recording devices could retake only after 12 months; separately, automatic license extensions end on January 1, 2026, with replacements beginning January 3–4 depending on regional schedules and fines of 5,000–15,000 rubles for driving with invalid licenses.