New validity periods for driving licences will be introduced in Ukraine, depending on the category of vehicle. The Minister of the Interior, Ihor Klymenko, has announced changes to the rules governing medical examinations for drivers.
- Driving licences for passenger cars will be valid for 15 years.
- Licences for goods and passenger transport – 5 years.
- You will need to undergo a medical examination once every 5 or 15 years.
- Existing certificates will remain valid until their expiry date.
- The changes will bring Ukrainian legislation into line with European standards.
New validity periods for driving licences
Ukraine plans to introduce new validity periods for driving licences, which will depend on the category of vehicle. According to Ihor Klymenko, drivers of passenger cars and motorbikes will be issued with licences valid for 15 years. Meanwhile, for drivers of goods and passenger vehicles, licences will be valid for 5 years.
Medical examination: new rules
The changes will also affect the rules governing medical examinations. Drivers with Category A and B licences will be required to undergo a medical examination once every 15 years, whilst professional drivers of goods and passenger vehicles will be required to do so once every 5 years. This will ensure regular monitoring of drivers’ health.
«The introduction of new validity periods for licences and regular medical checks should bring Ukrainian legislation into line with European road safety standards,» said Ihor Klymenko.
Existing certificates remain valid
The Minister emphasised that the following have already been issued driving licences There is no need to change them immediately. They will remain valid until the expiry date stated in the document. This will avoid unnecessary inconvenience for drivers who already hold a licence.
The introduction of the new rules will be an important step towards improving road safety in Ukraine. The final rules will only come into force once the relevant legislation has been adopted.
