State Duma deputies gave their approval in the first reading to a bill that would remove the obligation to present a compulsory motor insurance policy from the set of required documents for vehicle registration. This measure is part of a broader discussion about how the registration process should work in practice and what protections are in place for drivers, pedestrians, and other road users. An automobile expert from Russia, Vladimir Sazhin, shared his perspective with the Public News Service, noting that while the idea has merit, it could bring unintended downsides that deserve careful consideration.
Saкhin pointed out that the proposed change could ease the burden on drivers who either do not plan to use a vehicle soon or view it primarily as a city car. For such people, he argued, purchasing insurance might seem unnecessary or economically inefficient. In his view, continuing to require insurance during registration is not always essential for these particular use cases, since insurance serves a risk management function rather than a registration formalism.
Nevertheless, the expert warned that the shift could lead to more vehicles on public roads that operate without compulsory traffic insurance, largely because some drivers fail to fulfill their responsibilities in this area. This situation could echo the trends seen in earlier decades when compliance with road safety rules was uneven and enforcement practices varied, potentially affecting overall traffic safety and accountability.
Sazhin emphasized that if the policy becomes law, it will be important to keep the regulatory framework robust. He argued that traffic safety requirements should be tightened, and penalties for driving without insurance should be strengthened. In his view, if a violation is detected, the vehicle’s operation should be restricted to prevent continued use until proper insurance is secured. He also proposed that traffic authorities install cameras capable of identifying uninsured vehicles to deter noncompliance on the streets.
To illustrate his point, the expert called for greater integration of data across agencies. He described a potential collaboration among the Russian Association of Automobile Insurers, traffic police, and motorist surveillance systems. In his opinion, a coordinated approach would yield meaningful reductions in uninsured driving by addressing the issue comprehensively rather than simply relaxing one rule and leaving gaps unattended.
During the discussion, it was noted that the bill would remove the obligation to present a MTPL policy when a vehicle owner changes hands in June. This development was explained as a clarification that vehicle registration does not automatically transfer operating responsibilities or imply long-term use of the vehicle by the new owner. The broader aim, according to the proponents, is to streamline registration procedures while preserving safety and accountability through other checks and controls.
Industry observers reported that a system to verify MTPL compliance using traffic cameras was under consideration for deployment in 2024. If implemented, such a system would enable authorities to cross-check registered vehicles against insurance coverage in real time, helping to bridge the gap between registration records and actual insurance compliance. In this context, the debate continues about balancing administrative efficiency with the imperative to maintain road safety standards for all road users.