Raising penalties for drivers who operate a vehicle without MTPL insurance is unlikely to deliver the intended benefit. A senior official overseeing the public road-safety system explained that such a move might have felt appropriate a decade ago, but it makes little sense now. The expert believes that stiffer fines can only have a one-time effect, not a lasting impact on driver behavior. “Fraudsters are ready to exploit any penalty for OSAGO policies”, he said. “Bots, fake accounts, photocopies, and other tricks will be used—methods already in circulation—so the measure will fall short.” He also noted that the price of an MTPL policy should be kept affordable, suggesting it should not exceed 2,500 rubles.
From this vantage point, the affordability of coverage is a central concern. An inflated cost pushes more drivers into the grey area, decreasing compliance rather than increasing it. Experts argue that the aim should be to widen coverage while maintaining protections for motorists, not to rely on punitive fines as a primary instrument. The policy design needs to account for how people actually behave on the road and in the marketplace, including the ease with which fraudsters adapt to enforcement.
Debate around raising penalties for driving without MTPL is examined alongside estimates of uninsured drivers and possible effects on safety and costs. The discussion notes that a notable share of drivers operate without MTPL coverage, which creates risk for others and raises costs for those who are insured. Backers from the government and the interior ministry have expressed support for steps to close this gap, arguing that higher penalties would spur broader compliance.
Alongside policy discussions, the affordability of MTPL is highlighted as a central factor shaping compliance and insurer viability, calling for clear terms and efficient processes.
The balance of affordability and enforcement is central to MTPL reform, needing credible verification, efficient claims, and clear rules for all drivers.