How to replace your driver’s license in 2022

In the spring of 2022, the Russian government issued a decree extending the driving license for three years, which expires from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023. There is no need to submit any applications – the validity period will be extended automatically. We are talking about Russian national certificates and do not apply to international or foreign rights. All other owners of Russian driver’s “crusts” will still have to be puzzled by their replacement. In addition, in early August 2022, Maria Spiridonova, a member of the Russian Bar Association, advised Russian drivers to get their driving license replaced as soon as possible. When and where to change rights and what documents are needed for this – in the material REN TV.

When to change rights

Motorists do not have to change their driver’s licenses so often – this must be done once every ten years, that is, after the expiration of the document. However, there are still a few cases when new rights will have to be acquired ahead of time. For example, personal data may change when you change your last name after marriage (or divorce). Note that earlier in this case it was possible to drive with the old rights. But now driving with outdated documents is equivalent to driving without a license.

In addition, the rights can be lost by the owner or they can be stolen by intruders. Also, the replacement of the certificate will be required if violations are found during its registration or if new medical indications appear that restrict driving. Cases when a driver has opened a new category or is about to change Russian rights to international ones also require a replacement document.

There is another reason why the license will have to be reissued: if the driver’s license is dirty, damaged and it is impossible to read the necessary information from them.

Can I drive with an expired license?

If the driver’s license has expired, then it is forbidden to drive a car – you cannot drive until you receive a new document. If you get caught by a traffic police inspector, then a protocol will be drawn up against you under Article 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses – for driving a car by a driver who did not have such a right (a fine of 5 to 15 thousand rubles). The same article will be applied to a driver whose license states that he can only drive a car with an automatic transmission, and he will be stopped in a car with mechanics.

Documents for replacing a driver’s license

To update the rights, you must submit a package of documents defined by the current legislation. It includes the following papers:

• the original and a photocopy of the identity card, which confirms the registration at the place of residence;
• medical certificate in the form No. 003-V / y;
• the original and a photocopy of a certificate of completion of training courses at a driving school (persons who received a license before 2013 are not required to submit it);
• old or damaged rights;
• certificate from the traffic police about the absence of the fact of deprivation of the applicant’s certificate;
• a document confirming the payment of the state duty;
• three photos in 30×40 mm format.

Please note that in 2022 a medical certificate is not needed if you change your driver’s license due to a change in last name, first name and patronymic, as well as if your previous rights were damaged or lost.

If you open a new category, then you will have to attach a certificate of completion of training to the documents. Those who decide to make international rights also need a 35x45mm matte shot.

How to get a medical certificate

A medical report of the established form (form No. 003-V / y) is required if the driver changes the national driver’s license due to its expiration, or if he has new medical restrictions on driving. To get a conclusion, you need to pass a medical examination – this can be done at the clinic at the place of registration. The main thing is that the medical institution has a license for the provision of relevant services.

For a medical examination for category B, you need to visit:

• psychiatrist;
• psychiatrist-narcologist;
• ophthalmologist;
• therapist.

Here it is important to take into account that it is possible to undergo an examination by a narcologist and a psychiatrist only in specialized medical organizations of the state and municipal health care systems at the place of residence or at the place of stay. At the same time, institutions must have a license for medical activities for the provision of “psychiatry” and “psychiatric examination” services. Such conclusions are paid, their prices vary depending on the region. It is also necessary to take into account that the expiration date of a certificate from a narcologist and a psychiatrist is 30 days. If you do not have time to collect all the papers and pass the medical examination, you will need to go through it again.

New procedure for the medical examination of drivers

On March 1, 2022, the order of the Ministry of Health came into force, according to which the procedure for the mandatory medical examination of drivers has changed. According to the innovations, blood and urine tests will be taken by drivers who have been deprived of a license for driving while intoxicated, as well as those who have refused a medical examination or have a conviction for an accident while intoxicated. Mandatory tests can be sent if there are signs of alcoholism or drug addiction.

Who can’t drive

The list of contraindications, restrictions and indications is established by order of the Ministry of Health. For example, it is forbidden to drive a vehicle for those who have epilepsy, people with other mental and behavioral disorders. For those with vision problems, there are restrictions on the type of car: if a person is blind in one eye, he can only drive a car that has an acoustic parking system.

Application for a replacement

An application for updating the document can be written to the MFC, the traffic police, or filled out at home by downloading the established form. The application consists of two sheets on which you need to specify personal information and passport data. For example, about an old driver’s license or about passing a medical examination. If a person does not have registration, you need to issue at least a temporary one. Sometimes the traffic police may require additional documents, so it is better to find out the list in advance.

Where do the rights change?

There are several options for replacing a driver’s license. You can do this:

• in the regional traffic police department or its subdivisions;
• on the portal “Gosuslugi”;
• in a multifunctional center (MFC).

Contacting the traffic police

When applying to the traffic police, you must pay a state duty (2000 rubles) and provide all the necessary documents. Usually there are queues at the traffic police, so waiting for an appointment can take several hours.

“In 2022, they try to issue new rights on the day of application – if we are talking about a visit to the traffic police, and not the MFC. Although it all depends on the workload of the unit. Some are issued almost instantly, other drivers are asked to arrive later or the next day”– notes the lawyer Vadim Korshunov.

How to replace the rights through the “Public Services”

On the State Services portal, the fee can be paid at a 30% discount (1,400 rubles), and you must fill out a form and send it to the site. It is also possible to choose a convenient time when you need to bring all the documents to the traffic police (you still have to personally come to the reception). Your application will be checked, photographed (but it is better to bring your photos of the established sample) and a license will be issued if everything is in order. Usually the procedure does not take much time.

To sign up for the replacement of rights through the portal “Gosuslugi”, you must:

• enter your personal account;
• select “Popular Services”;
• in the list on the page, first select the line “for individuals”, then – “by departments”;
• then a list of departments appears, you need to find the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia;
• having chosen the department, you need to click on the third item, where it is proposed to take qualifying exams and issue certificates;
• click “replacement driver’s license” and the “get service” button.

Change of rights through the MFC

Those who are not in a hurry can choose the method of replacing rights through the multifunctional center – after submitting the documents, you will have to wait from 7 to 14 days. On the hotline of the MFC, you can find out which branches are involved in the replacement of driver’s licenses.

The procedure at the MFC looks like this. You need to come to the branch where this service is provided (sign up in advance or take a coupon after the fact). In addition to the required list of documents, you need to bring a photo in electronic form – on a flash drive or on a disk. Then you need to write an application, hand over documents and photographs, wait a few days for notification of readiness and come for the document.