Ukraine's Economic Ministry Revamps Training Rules for Commercial Drivers

New Regulations for Commercial Driver Training and Certification

According to Міністерство інфраструктури: Ukraine's Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture has overhauled the rules governing the training and qualification of commercial vehicle drivers. The reforms, enacted by Order No. 1728 and registered with the Ministry of Justice, aim to improve training quality, prevent superficial instruction, simplify regulation, and digitize processes in the sector. These changes will take effect three months after their official publication.

Starting in August 2025, this training will become mandatory for meeting licensing requirements in international transport. As of February 2026, over 60,000 professional drivers in Ukraine already hold the 'code 95' certificate. Training is currently provided by 30 centers across the country.

Key Revisions to the System

The updated rules introduce several significant modifications:

• Driver training will become more flexible: drivers with a valid certificate can take shortened programs or expand their vehicle categories by studying only new modules.
• Modern training formats are being introduced, including remote, dual, and blended learning.
• A new transparency requirement mandates photo and video recording of training sessions and exams for issuing a driver qualification card.

The changes will also affect training centers. They will receive indefinite certificates of recognition and benefit from a simplified recognition procedure. Furthermore, digital communication with the Ministry will be improved, and a clear process for suspending or terminating a center's activities will replace the previous cancellation method.

Deputy Minister Serhiy Derkach emphasized that the training focuses on acquiring new knowledge in transport safety and pre-medical aid, stressing the importance of genuine learning and assessment over a merely formal approach.

This reform of commercial driver training rules marks a significant step toward raising safety and professionalism standards in Ukraine. By introducing new learning formats and transparency requirements, the Ministry aims to reduce risks associated with poor driver preparation. These updates align with European standards, as the 'code 95' certification grows increasingly relevant for international haulage. This move is part of broader efforts to modernize Ukraine's transport sector and integrate it with European Union practices.