In the third reading, the State Duma advanced legislation amending the Federal Law on Road Safety and setting new rules for obtaining a driver’s license. The draft indicates that both national and international driving permits issued in Russia would become invalid one year after the law is legalized or after a person receives a residence permit or citizenship status. The practical effect is that drivers with foreign licenses would need to convert them for use within Russia.
Concretely, foreign licenses issued abroad would have to be replaced with a Russian certificate. To obtain a Russian license, applicants would be required to pass a theoretical examination and present evidence that there are no medical or psychological contraindications to driving. The proposed requirements aim to align foreign credentials with domestic standards and to ensure that drivers meet Russia’s safety criteria before operating a vehicle inside the country.
The draft includes exemptions. Drivers from Belarus who were Russian citizens or who held a residence permit for more than a year would not be affected by these changes. In addition, diplomatic personnel and consular staff along with their family members would be able to translate their national licenses into Russian without undergoing examination and certification, easing their transition and ensuring continued mobility.
The bill traces back to work begun in 2022 when it was submitted to the State Duma. It passed the first reading in November of that year, and the second reading occurred on June 22 of the following year. After approval by the State Duma, the proposal would proceed to the Federation Council for consideration and would require the signature of the President of Russia to become law.
Oleg Ponaryin, who previously led the Main Directorate of Road Safety within Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, indicated that the traffic police are prepared to offer an alternative for presenting a driver’s license and vehicle registration certificate as a digital code. This digital option would provide a secure, verifiable way to carry essential licensing information without the physical document, reflecting broader moves toward digital government services. Such measures reflect trends seen in several countries where authorities are increasingly digitizing licenses and related credentials to streamline verification while maintaining safety standards.