Summer tires will need to be replaced
Legislation requires that summer tires be swapped before winter starts, effectively by December 1. Drivers may use both studded and studless tires, as long as the tires carry the M+S, M&S, or MS marking, according to the Ministry of Transport. Winter tires must be fitted to all wheels. A violation can result in a warning or a fine of 500 rubles.
Expansion of rights
Some Russian drivers will see changes to license validity. In December of the previous year, Decree No. 2269 extended license validity by three years. This applies to licenses set to expire in 2024 and 2025 for private and professional drivers, with automatic renewal avoiding trips to traffic police offices.
Licenses that were due to expire in 2022 were automatically extended for three years under Covid measures; those drivers should now complete the renewal process to obtain a new license.
Tricolor will become mandatory
Regulatory updates planned before the end of 2024 will require a visible national flag on license plates. The proposal would place a tricolor emblem in the lower right corner of the plate. The initiative originated from lawmakers in the State Duma. The current 1993 GOST allows plates with or without the tricolor, using raised RUS letters in the region code field.
Audit will become expensive
Regional authorities have set new tariffs for vehicle inspection, with announcements made through December 20. In several regions, including the Jewish Autonomous Region, Rostov, Amur, Stavropol, Tyumen, Samara, and Mordovia, the cost of inspection will rise by about 7.3 to 7.4 percent. The Tyumen region will remain the least expensive place at around 1,000 rubles, while Amur will be among the most costly at roughly 1,600 rubles. The updated tariffs take effect next year.
Transport tax and tolls for electric cars
The transport tax for 2023 was due by December 2, 2024. The usual deadline falls on December 1, but this year it landed on a Sunday. Tax amounts can be checked with regional tax offices, the Federal Tax Service website, or the State Services app. If payment is missed, daily penalties apply. By the end of 2024, Moscow planned to maintain zero transport tax for electric cars, with officials indicating the benefit would extend into 2025. Free travel for electric vehicles on Russia’s toll roads is valid through December 2024, with discussions of possible extensions in the air.
Cars will still be expensive
A number of outlets reported that a new recycling fee would be added to Russian car prices by the end of 2024, affecting both imports and local production. Some developments suggested that AvtoVAZ might raise prices for Lada in December, and again in January 2025, though the manufacturer denied these claims. The situation for popular Chinese cars imported through parallel channels could become more costly, with estimates of substantial price increases noted by various outlets.
Taxi prices will increase
Taxi fares in Russia are expected to rise further as the year ends, driven by higher demand and driver shortages. Analysts estimate increases of around 30 to 40 percent, with Moscow and surrounding areas already seeing 15 to 20 percent rises this year. Other experts forecast that New Year prices could climb by about 20 percent, influenced by overall inflation and higher costs for fuel, parts, and maintenance.