Politics · Russia · 4 hrs ago
Russia proposes easier licence exchanges for residents of four regions
Russia’s Interior Ministry has proposed a simpler licence exchange for people from four regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
The plan covers Russian citizens who live or previously lived there and hold a valid licence issued in one of those regions or Ukraine.
They could exchange it for a Russian licence without taking an exam or paying a state fee.
Applicants would still need to provide identity and residency documents, their existing licence and a medical certificate.
The proposal is under public discussion and is not yet in force.
If approved and signed, the simplified process would remain available until 1 January 2028.
Russia’s Interior Ministry has proposed allowing residents of four regions to exchange existing driving licences for Russian ones without exams or a state fee.
The proposal covers the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics and the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
It applies to Russian citizens who live or previously lived in those territories and have valid local or Ukrainian licences.
The draft presidential decree is undergoing public consultation and would need further consideration.
One report says the proposed arrangement would remain in force until 1 January 2028 if signed.
- Who
- Russian citizens who live or previously lived in the four regions and hold qualifying driving licences.
- What
- The Interior Ministry proposed exchanging those licences for Russian ones without exams or a state fee.
- When
- The proposal was reported on 19 October 2026.
- Where
- The Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics and the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
- Why
- The ministry says the measures would protect residents’ rights to drive and support their integration into Russian law.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The previous deadline for residents of the four regions to exchange their old licences for Russian ones passed.
The Interior Ministry’s draft presidential decree was reported as undergoing public consultation.
- Regions
- Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics; Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions
- Requirements waived
- Driving exams and state fee
- Proposed end date
- 1 January 2028, if the decree is signed
- Documents required
- Application, identity document, proof of residence, qualifying licence or proof of obtaining it, and a medical certificate
3 sources
What people are saying
To ensure the rights of citizens living (or previously living) in these territories and their social adaptation and integration into the Russian legal framework, it is proposed to establish a simplified procedure for exchanging such driving licences
These measures are aimed at ensuring the legal rights of citizens living (or previously living) in the reunited territories to drive vehicles