Kyrgyzstan has announced sweeping reforms to its driver training system, set to take effect at the beginning of 2026. All private driving schools will be brought under state control, and the duration of driver training will be extended from three months to fourteen.
The reform was presented at a press conference in Bishkek by Kanybek Tumanbaev, Chief of Staff to the President. He stated that the initiative aims to improve road safety and curb corruption in the issuance of driver’s licenses.
“There are too many traffic accidents in Kyrgyzstan today. Young people admit to purchasing driver’s licenses through private driving schools, where practical training often lasts just two or three hours,” Tumanbaev said.
Under the new system, practical instruction will take place across different seasons, including both summer and winter driving conditions. The curriculum will also include courses on vehicle maintenance and driving etiquette. All exams will be administered under state supervision to prevent bribery and ensure consistent standards.
Private driving instructors will not lose their jobs; instead, they will be integrated into the new state-run driving schools. The cost of training for citizens is expected to remain unchanged. Authorities also plan to introduce a partially online format for theoretical classes.
As part of the reform, Kyrgyzstan will abolish indefinite driver’s licenses. Beginning in 2026, all newly issued licenses will be valid for 10 years, aligning with international standards. Citizens holding permanent licenses will be required to exchange them for the new format starting in January 2026. The replacement process will be free of charge and will not require retesting.
The reforms are a response to persistently high accident rates and what officials describe as inadequate driver education. In 2024, Kyrgyzstan recorded 7,423 traffic accidents resulting in 514 deaths. In the first nine months of 2025, that figure rose to 9,078 accidents with 636 fatalities.
