Kyiv’s new driving school for wounded veterans is a national first
As Ukraine works to address the long-term needs of its service members, the capital has opened the country’s first publicly run driving school for veterans with disabilities. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko announced the initiative, which is designed for male and female veterans with musculoskeletal impairments, including those stemming from amputations. The first cohort consists of 17 veterans, who will now have access to specialized driving instruction.
The school’s classroom has passed an official review, and the program is built around high-quality training. For practical category B lessons, specially adapted vehicles were supplied by the Dzhurynsky family charitable foundation. A service center of the MVS (Ministry of Internal Affairs) is also involved in the project, reflecting a structured and serious approach to the learning process. Classes are led by certified instructors, some of whom are veterans who completed their own training, passed the required exams, and earned the right to teach others. The school uses a peer-to-peer teaching model, helping students feel more comfortable. For those who have difficulty getting to the school on their own, transportation is provided through the Kyiv Military Hub.
After completing the course, veterans may receive partial compensation from the city toward purchasing a vehicle and adapting it to their specific needs. Assistance with professional retraining and job placement is also available, offering an important path back to independent life. The driving school is expected to become part of a broader “automobile mobility route” for veterans, with further support planned down the line. Eventually, the courses will be open to all people with disabilities who require specialized driving education.
Kyiv already has another accessibility-focused option: the barrier-free driving school at the National Academy of Internal Affairs (NAVS), where people with disabilities are taught to drive specially equipped cars. War veteran Maksym Danylenko has joined the NAVS instructor team, another sign of veterans taking an active role in the educational process.
Opening a municipal driving school for veterans with disabilities is an important step toward the social integration of this group. — Vitali Klitschko
Learning to drive can do more than increase mobility; it can also expand job opportunities and help veterans regain independence. The growing attention to inclusive driver training highlights a broader societal shift toward accessibility and equal opportunity.