Ukraine Overhauls Driver's License Rules, Mandates Senior Testing

Revised Age Requirements for Driver's Licenses

According to ХВИЛЯ: The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) service centers have announced new age regulations for obtaining a driver's license and have registered a related bill concerning older drivers. These changes are part of a broader effort to improve road safety standards. Under the new rules, the minimum age to operate a moped is 16, a passenger car is 18, a truck with a trailer is 19, and a bus is 21.

Bill No. 8082: Provisions for Senior Drivers

Bill No. 8082, registered in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament), introduces mandatory testing for drivers aged 65 and over. These tests will assess concentration and mental state. Furthermore, for drivers who reach 70, the validity period of their driver's license will be reduced to five years.

• The fee for the theoretical exam will be 250 hryvnias;
• The fee for the practical driving exam will be 420 hryvnias;
• A minimum interval of 10 days is required between attempts at the practical exam;
• Parents whose children operate vehicles without the proper license will face a fine of 3,400 hryvnias.

The MIA states that these new requirements and legislative initiatives aim to enhance road safety, particularly concerning older drivers who may experience certain physical and cognitive changes. Mandatory testing and shorter license validity periods are intended to mitigate risks associated with transporting passengers and cargo. The additional fines for parents of underage drivers are also designed to enforce compliance with the law and foster a sense of responsibility in new drivers.