Driver's licenses in Ukraine will be issued for 5 or 15 years

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted changes to the rules for issuing driver’s licenses and allowing citizens to operate vehicles. The innovations are intended to gradually bring Ukrainian legislation closer to European standards and improve road safety. From now on the validity period of the document will depend on the vehicle category. Licenses for driving motorcycles and passenger cars of categories A1, A, B, B1 and BE will be issued for 15 years.

For drivers of heavy goods and passenger transport of categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E and T the term will be 5 years. This distribution corresponds to the European approach: in the EU licenses for motorcycles and passenger cars are valid 15 years, and for trucks and buses — five.

After the restoration of mandatory medical examinations, drivers will have to confirm fitness to drive during the scheduled exchange of the document. For owners of passenger cars and motorcycles the check will take place every 15 years, and for drivers of passenger and freight transport — every five years.

Special attention was given to professional drivers who transport passengers and cargo, as they have an increased level of responsibility on the roads. During each license exchange they will need to undergo a medical examination.

At the same time previously issued permanent licenses do not need to be changed urgently — they will remain valid until the date specified in the document. During the scheduled exchange after five or 15 years retaking the theoretical and practical exams is not required, unless otherwise directly provided by law. The exchange and renewal of a permanent license without retaking exams were already applied by MIA service centers before. The resolution will come into force from the day of its official publication.

Reminder: previously we wrote:

• Driver’s licenses in Ukraine may be issued in a new way: what will change for future drivers
• Will licenses be taken away sooner? The Cabinet is preparing tough changes for drivers: what will change
• Changing driver’s licenses will become mandatory for all Ukrainians: new draft law of the Rada
• A driver’s license whose validity expired during the war will be considered valid
• CNAPs can now administer the driving license exam