How to exchange a foreign driver's license for a Russian one?

The complicated and highly unclear situation regarding foreign driver's licenses has finally changed. At last, it has become clear what to do about foreign driver's licenses. For some, the process has become easier; for others, the path has become more difficult. In any case, Federal Law No. 313 has brought greater clarity to this complicated issue. There will be no more disputes with traffic police officers or trips to court.

In connection with Federal Law No. 313-FZ "On Amendments to Articles 25 and 26 of the Federal Law 'On Road Traffic Safety'" dated 10.07.2023 on road traffic safety, the procedure for exchanging foreign driver's licenses has changed.  

Article 2 of Federal Law No. 313-FZ provides for the issuance of Russian national driver's licenses on the basis of valid foreign national driver's licenses issued before the date Federal Law No. 313-FZ enters into force, under a simplified procedure without taking examinations during the period from 01.04.2024 to 01.04.2025 for the following categories of persons:

• - citizens of the Russian Federation who entered the Russian Federation before April 1, 2024
• - persons who are (or were) foreign citizens or stateless persons who obtained a residence permit or acquired citizenship of the Russian Federation before April 1, 2024.

Russian citizenship and a residence permit obtained after 01.04.2024 entitle holders to use foreign driver's licenses for personal purposes for one year, until 01.04.2025; after that, they will be considered invalid.

Russian citizens moving to Russia for permanent residence are also entitled to use foreign licenses for one year; the period is counted from the date of their most recent entry into Russia.

Russian citizens who have or have had Russian driver's licenses are not entitled to use foreign licenses. Expired or lost licenses must be restored.

To obtain Russian driver's licenses on the basis of foreign ones without the exemption, after April 1, 2024, the following requirements apply:

Category A, B: applicants must pass the theoretical exam and obtain a medical certificate. Training at a driving school is not required.;

Category C, D: applicants must complete training at a driving school, pass the theoretical and practical exams, and obtain a medical certificate.

Under the provisions of Federal Law No. 196-FZ and the Rules for Examinations for Obtaining a Russian National Driver's License on the Basis of a Foreign National Driver's License under the simplified procedure, the applicant must submit:

• an application;
• an identity document issued before April 1, 2024:
  • a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
  • a document confirming the identity of a foreign citizen, and their residence permit; a residence permit for a stateless person;
• a valid foreign national driver's license. The foreign national driver's license must have been issued in a foreign country that is, together with the Russian Federation, a party to an international treaty on road traffic safety. The vehicle categories and subcategories specified in the foreign national driver's license must correspond to the vehicle categories and subcategories established by paragraph 1 of Article 26 of Federal Law No. 196-FZ;
• a medical certificate confirming the presence (or absence) of medical contraindications, medical indications, or medical restrictions on the driving of vehicles for drivers (driver candidates);
• written consent from one of the minor driver candidate's legal representatives (parents, adoptive parents, or guardians) to take the examination and be issued a Russian national driver's license, certified in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, in cases where the applicant is aged 16 to 18, except where the minor has been declared fully legally capable (emancipation) or has married in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of the Russian Federation;
• a document confirming entitlement to an exemption from state duty, for applicants who are entitled to an exemption from state duty under the Tax Code of the Russian Federation;
• a translation into Russian of the foreign national driver's license, notarized in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation on notarial matters, except where the license is drawn up in Russian;
• the individual personal account insurance number – except where the applicants are persons who are not citizens of the Russian Federation and do not have an individual personal account insurance number.

For more information, you can read Federal Law No. 313 here.