As of March 1, 2025, Russia plans to use traffic cameras to verify that drivers hold compulsory car insurance policies. The information comes from official government sources reported in the news.
A 12-month pilot program has been approved in a meeting with Deputy Chief of the Government General Staff Alexei Uvarov. Under the plan, every vehicle on public roads will be photographed by traffic cameras. The traffic police information system, working in tandem with the OSAGO insurance database, cross-checks the license plates captured in the images against the insurance records. If no policy is found, the system issues the next request the following day.
When the driver does not yet have valid insurance, a warning is sent to the driver through the government portal. After the pilot period ends, motorists without compulsory insurance face fines as enforcement begins.
Previously, Russians discussed how to obtain compensation in the event of an accident when there is no compulsory car insurance. The new program is framed as a move to improve coverage and ensure enforcement, aligning with existing laws requiring OSAGO for vehicles operated on public roads.
Officials describe the initiative as a test of the operational link between the traffic police network and the OSAGO registry, as well as the reliability of license plate recognition and the potential impact on road safety and compliance. The pilot will help determine whether digital checks can streamline enforcement while clarifying responsibilities for insurance coverage among drivers.
In this context, the move reflects ongoing efforts to modernize traffic law enforcement and reduce uninsured driving. Observers note that a successful rollout could influence how insurance requirements are monitored nationwide, with potential implications for motorists, insurers, and public safety programs alike. The program is being described as an audit of practicality and effectiveness, rather than a finished policy, and its results will be watched closely by officials and the public, with attribution to official government sources for the reported details.