Reform of Driving Schools in Ukraine: Ministry of Internal Affairs Prepares New Rules for Instructors and Students

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is preparing a major reform of driving schools that will change the rules for accreditation, instructor certification, and driver training. Find out what will change for driving school students, when the new rules might take effect, and how the reform will affect the process of obtaining a driver’s license

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The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has released a draft of a large-scale reform of the driving school system for public discussion. The document is already being actively discussed on the Ukrainian Driving Schools Forum, and the draft itself was prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Main Service Center in collaboration with industry representatives and anti-corruption initiatives.

The main goal of the changes is to make the driver training system more transparent, reduce opportunities for abuse, and eliminate the practice where the entire driving school bears responsibility for the mistakes of individual employees.

Read also: Vision requirements for drivers in Ukraine — what codes are on the license and what is important to consider?

Driving schools will no longer be closed due to isolated violations

One of the key innovations is a change in the principle of revoking accreditation. Currently, even a single documented violation can serve as grounds for serious sanctions against the entire educational institution.

In the new model, the Ministry of Internal Affairs proposes switching to a cumulative system. To suspend a driving school’s accreditation, at least 10 violations must be recorded within 12 months.

In this way, the state is attempting to distinguish between conscientious driving schools, where isolated incidents may occur, and systemic violations at so-called “bogus” institutions that manipulate the educational process.

At the same time, the liability of instructors and teachers will become personal. For example, an instructor may lose their certification for one year for entering false data regarding the conduct of practical lessons.

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What changes await driving school students?

A separate set of changes concerns driver candidates.

After successfully passing the theory exam, students will receive a separate document that officially authorizes them to proceed to the practical part of training.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs also plans to clearly regulate the validity period of the theory exam. While some candidates are currently forced to retake the theory exam due to bureaucratic complications, the new rules are intended to eliminate this problem.

According to the draft, the result of the theory exam will be valid for one year specifically for starting practical training, not for taking the practical exam. This will prevent situations where people lose their results due to administrative delays.

Another important change: if a driving school loses its accreditation, students will be able to continue their training at another institution without any issues and without losing the hours they have already completed.

It is also important for future drivers to remember not only about training and taking exams, but also about obtaining all necessary documents after receiving their driver’s license. In particular, a motor vehicle liability insurance policy is mandatory for driving on Ukrainian roads. You can purchase motor vehicle liability insurance online in advance through Visit Ukraine—this allows you to quickly obtain an electronic policy without unnecessary visits to insurance companies.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs aims to minimize abuses in driver training

The draft resolution also includes a number of mechanisms designed to reduce the risk of abuse by regulatory authorities. Among the proposed changes:

● errors in the Border Guard Service’s databases regarding training sessions abroad can be challenged with supporting documentation;

● violations will be counted based on the number of students, rather than for each individual session or hour;

● technical violations involving training vehicles will be clearly specified;

● the main focus will be on critical deficiencies, such as the absence of duplicate pedals, rather than on minor formalities;

● a statute of limitations will be introduced for revoking an instructor’s certification—two years from the date of the violation.

In addition, the deadline for administrative appeals against decisions to suspend accreditation will be extended. While the current deadline is 10 business days, the plan is to extend it to 30 calendar days following the reform.

Plans to simplify the certification of instructors and teachers

The Ministry of Internal Affairs also proposes changing the certification system for driving school instructors and teachers. Currently, the procedure operates on the principle of “documents first, then exams.” After the reform, they intend to switch to a model of “exams first, then paperwork.” In effect, passing the tests will automatically serve as the basis for the subsequent certification process as a technical formality.

Another innovation is the ability to take exams at any Ministry of Internal Affairs service center, regardless of the candidate’s place of residence. This should simplify access to the profession for instructors and teachers throughout Ukraine.

The draft resolution is currently in the public consultation phase. Afterward, the document will be finalized and approved. If the reform is adopted, the changes could be among the most significant in driver training in recent years. The Ministry of Internal Affairs expects that the new rules will help reduce corruption risks, protect reputable driving schools, and make the training system more understandable for future drivers.

We remind you! New rules for taking driver’s license exams are being prepared in Ukraine. Read how the procedure will change, when exams in English will be introduced, and what the new candidate identification system means.

Photo: Freepik

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