Automatic deletion of traffic police fines
Unpaid fines for traffic violations can no longer pile up unchecked. At the close of last year, the State Duma approved amendments to the Federal Law On Enforcement Procedures, and these changes took effect on June 20, 2022. The new rules allow the Federal Enforcement Service FSSP to make automated decisions regarding enforcement actions, including the arrest, release from arrest, and cancellation of debt collections, all without direct involvement from authorities. This automation extends to the debtor’s income and related charges, creating a framework where debts, including late traffic fines, can be erased automatically when appropriate.
Additionally, safeguards have been introduced to prevent erroneous collections against individuals who are not genuinely indebted. Data tied to a driver’s license and a vehicle registration certificate will be treated as identifying information for debtors. Anatoly Vyborny, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption, noted that automating recovery and seizure processes will accelerate the execution of court orders and lessen the influence of human error. According to Vyborny, this shift represents a significant milestone in enforcement law and helps ensure court decisions are carried out promptly and completely.
Vyborny stressed that corruption in enforcement proceedings has diminished. Future decisions will be issued without the participation of FSSP officials, meaning rulings will be made by the Federal Enforcement Service itself rather than by individual employees. This distinction also protects the rights of car owners and other debtors, who retain the ability to appeal decisions made under the new process.
gun ban
Starting June 29, amendments to the Federal Law On Weapons come into force. Drivers who were found responsible for drunk driving or who transferred control of a vehicle to a drunk person will be barred from purchasing a firearm for a period of one year after the administrative punishment ends. The goal is to considerably reduce the number of people at risk from firearms and to limit access for those whose behavior behind the wheel demonstrates unreliability. Supporters say the measure will narrow the pool of people who could endanger others with firearms, and officials emphasize that the ban is not open-ended but time-bound. The new policy is designed to stand and be allowed to work rather than be endlessly debated, according to Vyborny, who heads the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption.
driver’s license id
Financial institutions and other entities handling money or property will be able to verify customers using a driver’s license in addition to the standard passport data. Beginning June 29, citizens will have the option to use their driver’s license number in lieu of SNILS, TIN, or the compulsory health insurance policy as an identifier. The amendments modify the Federal Law On the Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds from Crime and the Fight Against the Financing of Terrorism. In practical terms, a driver’s license can be used to obtain a consumer loan up to 15 thousand rubles, participate in a lottery up to 100 thousand rubles, and serve as an extra identifier when entering into certain insurance contracts. The threshold for CASCO and OSAGO payments has risen to 40 thousand rubles for identification-free transactions, up from 15 thousand rubles.
Cars without a “panic button”
Earlier this year the government extended the window for automakers to produce vehicles without the ERA-GLONASS system. This applies to cars, buses, and trucks with certain exceptions for hazardous goods transport and child transport. The period during which new cars could be released without the ERA-GLONASS module ended on August 1, 2022, with a deadline for full installation set for February 1, 2023. The intent is to ensure that most new vehicles come equipped with the ERA-GLONASS system for improved safety and monitoring.
Remote medical examination of drivers
In May, the State Duma advanced a bill to enable remote medical examinations for public transport drivers. If enacted, amendments to the Foundations of Protecting Citizens Health in the Russian Federation and Road Safety laws would go into effect later this year. The plan calls for health status data to be transmitted automatically via medical devices and for remote monitoring to complement traditional pre- and post-trip examinations. Telemedicine would be used for routine checks, expanding the reach of health assessments while preserving the option for on-site medical reviews. Supporters point to greater convenience and speed, noting the system can help identify health risks early and prevent unsafe driving conditions.
Prohibition of operation of self-propelled machines
On July 3 this year, a new law governing self-propelled vehicles and other equipment comes into force. It sets clear rules for the operation and licensing of such equipment, requiring an OSAGO policy, valid vehicle registration, and a technical inspection, along with state registration where applicable. Vehicles may not be operated if there are faults or conditions listed by the government, and the rules outline the circumstances under which equipment may be prohibited from use. The aim is to ensure safety and accountability in scenarios involving autonomous or semi-autonomous machinery and related equipment.