Russia is implementing significant changes affecting drivers, including revised medical examination procedures, increased costs for public services, and new fines for searching for extremist content online.
From September 1, 2025, drivers will see a sharp rise in the cost of several public services, with fees for obtaining a driver’s license doubling. An old-style license will increase to 4,000 rubles, while a new one will cost 6,000 rubles. The issuance and replacement of international driver’s licenses will also become more expensive, rising from 1,600 to 3,200 rubles. The cost of obtaining a vehicle passport will increase by 1.5 times to 1,200 rubles, and a plastic registration certificate will cost 4,500 rubles. President Vladimir Putin has signed the corresponding bill into law.
Additionally, a new law introduces fines for searching for extremist content on the Internet. This measure aims to regulate online activity and penalize users for seeking out prohibited material.
Furthermore, the process for obtaining a driver’s medical certificate is undergoing a technological shift. By 2027, the traditional paper certificate will be replaced by an electronic format, utilizing a QR code and certificate number. This information will be presented to the traffic police, automatically uploading all relevant data to the State Traffic Inspectorate system.