Traffic rulesRussia

The State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, commonly called the Госавтоинспекция or GIBDD, conducts examinations and issues national and international driving licences.

Yes. Many examination and replacement appointments can be requested through the official Gosuslugi portal.

Yes. Multifunctional public-service centres can accept documents and issue certain replacement and international licences received from the traffic inspectorate.

Yes. A valid national licence is recognised throughout the Russian Federation, subject to its categories, restrictions and current legal status.

Yes. All active categories, subcategories and restrictions are recorded on the same licence.

Yes. A restriction is recorded when the practical test is passed in an automatic-transmission vehicle.

Yes. The driver completes the required training and passes a practical examination in a manual-transmission vehicle.

Yes. Examinations and licence issue are generally available at any traffic-inspectorate unit that provides the required category service.

Official traffic-police and Gosuslugi services provide supported checks and application-status information.

Yes. State fees are regulated, while training, additional lessons and vehicle-use prices vary by school.

The minimum age is 16 years.

The minimum age is 18 years.

The minimum age is 18 years.

The ordinary minimum age is 21 years.

The minimum age for Tm and Tb is 21 years.

Yes. A candidate can take the B examination from age 17.

The national licence is issued only after the candidate turns 18.

Learner driving on public roads can begin from age 16.

Yes. A first applicant must complete an authorised professional training programme for the requested category.

No. A current court ban, withdrawal or other legal prohibition must first end.

Yes. A passport or another accepted identity document and lawful-status evidence are required.

Yes. Fraud can lead to refusal, cancellation, examination annulment and criminal or administrative consequences.

Yes. A certificate in form 003-В/у is required.

It is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

Authorised medical organisations and the required specialists conduct it under the national procedure.

Yes. The appropriate restriction is recorded on the licence.

Yes. Medical indications can require special controls, an automatic transmission or another vehicle adaptation.

No. Fitness is assessed individually and the practical examination can use an appropriately adapted vehicle.

Yes. A sign-language interpreter can be present when the legal conditions are met.

Yes. Medical restrictions can produce a shorter validity period.

Yes. The right to drive can be restricted or terminated when medical contraindications are established.

An application, identity document, driving-school qualification certificate and any required consent or translated foreign document.

Yes. The school must hold the required educational licence and an approved training programme.

Traffic law, psychophysiology, safe vehicle control, first aid, vehicle construction and practical driving.

The model programme allocates 56 hours.

The model programme allocates 54 hours.

Yes. It includes initial control training and driving on approved road routes.

Yes. First aid for road-collision casualties is part of the national programme.

Yes.

No. A first applicant must complete the authorised professional programme.

Yes. The certificate confirms completion of the driver-training programme.

No. The candidate must pass the state examinations and receive a licence.

No. The candidate must complete the required manual-transmission training first.

Yes. Applicants should verify authorisation, instructors, training vehicles and practice facilities.

There are 20 questions.

It contains four thematic blocks of five questions each.

20 minutes.

Yes.

Traffic rules, road safety, legal responsibility, safe vehicle operation and first aid.

The candidate receives five additional questions from the same thematic group and five additional minutes.

The candidate receives ten additional questions and ten additional minutes.

The examination is failed.

The examination is failed.

No. Every additional question must be answered correctly.

No. Their use ends the examination and can annul the result.

Immediately after the computer test in the official examination record.

No. Category B uses one practical examination combining manoeuvres and driving on an approved route.

On a closed site, autodrome, low-traffic road or another approved part of the examination route.

The driving portion is normally completed within 30 minutes when all required manoeuvres can be assessed.

Reverse parking at 90 degrees, parallel parking, a limited-space turn, hill start and other prescribed actions.

Intersections, turns, lane changes, pedestrian crossings, speed choice, stopping, overtaking where possible and safe traffic interaction.

Yes. It must have the required additional pedals, examiner mirror, learner marking and recording equipment.

Yes, when it corresponds to the candidate’s medical indications.

Errors carry one, two, three or seven penalty points according to their seriousness.

A total of seven points results in failure.

Yes. A seven-point error, such as examiner intervention to prevent a collision, causes failure.

Yes.

No. The licence must first be issued.

Since 12 May 2026, it must be scheduled no later than 60 calendar days after the theory examination.

The candidate has a six-month period from the theory pass.

A repeat theory examination is required.

No later than 30 calendar days after the six-month period ends.

Not earlier than seven and not later than 30 calendar days.

Not earlier than seven and not later than 60 calendar days.

The next attempt is scheduled between six and nine months later.

The next attempt is also scheduled between six and nine months later.

Yes. A written request can postpone an examination beyond the ordinary scheduling period.

The result is annulled and the next examination cannot take place for at least 12 months.

Mopeds and light quadricycles.

Motorcycles.

Light motorcycles within the statutory engine-capacity and power limits.

Cars and other vehicles up to 3,500 kg with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver.

Tricycles and quadricycles other than the light vehicles in category M.

Goods vehicles above 3,500 kg, excluding category D passenger vehicles.

Goods vehicles above 3,500 kg and up to 7,500 kg.

Vehicles designed to carry more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

Passenger vehicles with more than eight but no more than 16 passenger seats.

Trams and trolleybuses.

A category B towing vehicle with a trailer above the ordinary B limits.

Category B must generally have been held for at least 12 months.

Category C must generally have been held for at least 12 months.

Category D must generally have been held for at least 12 months.

The applicant must generally have held B, C, C1 or D1 for at least 12 months.

Yes. Since April 2024, specified existing category combinations can allow BE or DE without new training and examinations.

Yes. Employees whose work involves driving undergo periodic and pre-shift or post-shift examinations where required.

No.

Yes. The licence category, employment rules, medical fitness and vehicle documents must all be valid.

No. Professional-driver requirements are governed by Russian training, medical and employment legislation rather than EU Code 95.

10 years.

Yes. Russian licences expiring from 1 January 2022 through 31 December 2025 were extended by three years.

No.

Yes.

No.

Yes, but the replacement normally keeps the old expiry date.

A new licence can be issued for a fresh 10-year term, subject to the current rules.

Yes.

Yes. The applicant can submit the request and choose an appointment.

No.

Yes, when the licence is recognised, valid and suitable for the vehicle; an International Driving Permit or certified translation may also be required.

Normally one year after obtaining a Russian residence permit or Russian citizenship.

The foreign licence normally ceases to be valid one year after the first entry into Russia following its issue, subject to statutory and constitutional exceptions.

Yes. Special recognition applies to qualifying Belarusian licences and holders.

Yes. The ordinary exchange route requires a theory examination.

The required training and examinations depend on citizenship, issuing country and the specific statutory exchange route.

Yes.

No. Russia does not issue a replacement based only on a lost foreign document.

Up to three years, but never beyond the national licence’s expiry.

No. It is not valid as an independent driving document within Russia.

No. A first licence is an ordinary licence, although some traffic rules treat drivers with less than two years of experience differently.

Yes. A driver with less than two years of experience must display the prescribed novice-driver sign on relevant vehicles.

Drivers with less than two years of experience are restricted from towing in the categories specified by the traffic rules.

No. Suspensions and disqualifications are based on specific offences and court or administrative decisions.

Liability applies when alcohol exceeds 0.16 mg per litre of exhaled air or 0.3 g per litre of blood, subject to the legal testing procedure.

Yes.

Yes. It carries serious administrative consequences, including disqualification.

The driver must pass a traffic-rules knowledge check and pay outstanding traffic fines.

It is required after specified alcohol, drug or refusal offences.

No. The official driver record controls the right to drive.

This FAQ was prepared from the current federal road-safety law, examination rules, Ministry of Internal Affairs regulations, Gosuslugi guidance and 2026 amendments.

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Traffic Inspectorate, Gosuslugi, a medical organisation or a driving school.

Official legislation and current instructions from the competent authority always take precedence. Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.