Ukraine's 2026 Driver's License Reform: Acceptable ID Beyond Passports

Upcoming Changes to Ukraine's Driver's License System

According to ХВИЛЯ: Starting in 2026, Ukraine will implement a new, more flexible procedure for obtaining or exchanging driver's licenses. A key change is that applicants will no longer be required to present a standard passport as their sole form of identification. The Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced these new conditions, which are governed by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 340. This reform is part of a broader digital transformation of public services in the country.

Accepted Identification Documents

The following documents will be valid for applying for a driver's license:

• Ukrainian citizen's passport (booklet or ID-card)
• Foreign passport
• Temporary Ukrainian citizen certificate
• Permanent or temporary residence permit
• Refugee certificate or document for a person in need of additional or temporary protection

If an ID lacks a registration mark, internally displaced persons must provide a certificate of registration as an IDP. Other categories of citizens must provide an extract from the register of their territorial community.

The principle of extraterritoriality, effective in Ukraine in 2026, allows citizens to exchange an old license at any territorial service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. First-time applicants can also take their test at any MVS examination center, ensuring convenience regardless of their place of registration. Crucially, digital copies of documents available in the Diia app will hold the same legal force as paper originals, significantly simplifying the process for Ukrainians.

These procedural changes are expected to substantially improve access to driver's licenses for many citizens, particularly for internally displaced persons and those living outside their registered region. Innovations like the acceptance of digital documents may also help reduce queues and improve service at MVS centers. Overall, these updates reflect the government's drive to modernize public services and make them more accessible to the population.