Car drivers - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 7

Driver's licenses

Kyrgyzstan to Introduce One-Year Temporary Licenses for New Drivers

Kyrgyzstan plans to introduce a one-year temporary driver’s license for driving school graduates in an effort to ensure that new motorists develop sustainable skills for safe and responsible behavior on the road, according to a draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan currently undergoing public discussion. The training period at driving schools in Kyrgyzstan has recently been extended from 2.5 months to 10 months. Under the proposed resolution, students demonstrating excellent academic performance would be eligible to take exams after four months of training and receive a temporary driver’s license valid for one year and restricted to use within the country. According to the draft’s explanatory note, a temporary license would allow new drivers to assess their practical skills under real road conditions. If, during the one-year period, they do not commit serious traffic violations or cause traffic accidents, they would be issued a permanent driver’s license. If a driver holding a temporary license commits serious traffic violations or is found responsible for an accident within one year, the temporary license would be annulled, and the driver would be required to return to driving school to complete the remaining six months of the standard training program. The initiative is intended to improve discipline among new drivers and help reduce road accidents. The proposed measure is part of a broader set of reforms aimed at strengthening driver education and lowering accident rates. In a related move, Kyrgyz authorities have suspended all private driving schools until August 30, 2026. During this period, driver training will be limited to state-run institutions. The length of training has also been extended from 2.5 months to 10 months. Officials say the reforms are designed to eliminate corruption and ensure that drivers are properly prepared before receiving licenses. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan has introduced stricter traffic enforcement measures aimed at curbing repeat violations and improving road safety. Under the new rules, drivers who commit three serious traffic violations within a 12-month period are required to retake the traffic rules examination. The reform follows concerning national road safety data. In 2025 alone, Kyrgyzstan recorded 8,456 traffic accidents, resulting in 900 deaths and 12,169 injuries. Over the past decade, more than 75,000 accidents have claimed over 9,000 lives.

Kazakh AI Firm Partners with UK Driving Authority to Modernize Testing

Kazakh IT firm TrustExam.ai, operating under the brand Oqylyq.kz, has signed a strategic agreement with the UK’s Driving Instructors Association (DIA), the largest professional body in the UK’s driver training sector. The partnership aims to modernize the country’s certification and examination systems, making them more transparent, efficient, and technology-driven. From London Tech Week to Strategic Deal The agreement traces back to June 2025, when TrustExam.ai, with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in London and Astana Hub, participated in London Tech Week, the UK’s flagship technology event, which annually attracts more than 45,000 attendees from 90 countries. At the Kazakhstan national stand, the company showcased its AI-powered solutions and held negotiations with leaders in the British AI and fintech sectors. This ultimately led to cooperation with the DIA, opening access to one of Europe’s largest certification markets. Transforming UK Driver Testing The partnership will facilitate the digital transformation of theoretical exams for UK drivers and motorcyclists. TrustExam.ai’s technology promises to deliver: Enhanced fairness and objectivity in testing Accelerated examination timelines Flexible scheduling and expanded exam center capacity without compromising quality “DIA already sets a high standard for the reliability of practical exams and the quality of instructor training. Our new partnership with TrustExam.ai will allow us to deliver even more robust, efficient, and user-friendly solutions for candidate assessment,” said Carly Brookfield, CEO of the DIA. For candidates, the changes will reduce waiting times and speed up access to licenses. For government agencies and driving schools, the system offers cost savings and greater transparency in the certification process. A Kazakh Platform with Global Reach TrustExam.ai already operates at scale, serving over 2 million users annually. A member of Stanford University’s StartX startup accelerator, the platform is used globally by universities, government institutions, and examination centers to maintain academic integrity and certification reliability. The DIA represents thousands of UK driving instructors, and its subdivision, Diamond Advanced Motorists, holds international recognition in the field of advanced driver training. Kazakhstan’s Expanding AI Ecosystem Kazakhstan continues to advance domestic AI initiatives. At Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, researchers have developed “Zhurek AI,” a platform for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. Using neural networks and SVM algorithms, it analyzes medical data to support clinical decision-making. Meanwhile, at Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, AI systems integrated with drones and multispectral imaging are being used to evaluate soil and crop conditions. These “field health maps” help optimize resources, minimize harvest losses, and reduce investment risks in agriculture. From education to healthcare and agriculture, Kazakhstan’s AI innovations are gaining global traction. The partnership between TrustExam.ai and the DIA underscores how technologies developed in Astana and Almaty are making their mark on the international stage.

Car Insurance

Kyrgyz Car Owners Receive $200,000 in Insurance Payouts Since Start of 2025

Since the beginning of 2025, car owners in Kyrgyzstan have received approximately $200,000 in insurance payouts under the country’s compulsory motor insurance (CMI) program, according to the State Insurance Organization (SIO). The rise in payouts has been matched by growing coverage of motor insurance, particularly after fines were introduced for individuals without insurance policies on July 1, 2025. The fine is set at $35, while the cost of an annual policy ranges from $20 to $50, depending on engine size and the number of insured persons. For legal entities and foreign nationals, the cost of an annual policy is $150. Compulsory insurance for these groups has been in effect since April 1, 2023. Additionally, insurance is now mandatory when re-registering or purchasing a vehicle, as part of the phased implementation of universal motor insurance in Kyrgyzstan. According to the SIO, 38,345 individuals purchased policies in the first month following the introduction of penalties. Between January 1 and July 28, 2025, a total of 266,465 vehicles were insured through the SIO. The organization told The Times of Central Asia that many citizens had voluntarily obtained insurance before the penalties were introduced, reflecting a growing culture of legal compliance and personal responsibility among car owners. During the reporting period, the SIO registered 190 insurance claims. The largest payout in 2025 was $3,500, which was divided between two parties involved in a traffic accident. Insurers report that the sector is prepared to handle further growth in claims. The SIO was initially capitalized with $12 million from the state budget. Its authorized capital has since been increased at least twice. Additionally, all state institutions are required to insure their assets through the SIO. Alongside the state-run insurer, 14 private insurance companies operate in the Kyrgyz market, contributing to a competitive environment. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the SIO’s financial model includes a fund reservation mechanism for insurance payouts, ensuring the organization's ability to meet its obligations even amid a rise in accident claims. While some experts caution that the market could face saturation in the coming years, the short-term outlook for the industry remains one of steady growth.

Transport and Logistics

Kyrgyz Lawmaker Challenges $15 Tint Fee for Drivers Crossing into Uzbekistan

Kyrgyz drivers crossing into Uzbekistan are being charged a $15 fee if their vehicle windows are tinted, a policy that has drawn criticism from Kyrgyz lawmaker Dastan Bekeshev. Speaking during an April 2 session of the Jogorku Kenesh (Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan), Bekeshev urged the government to either introduce a reciprocal fee for Uzbek vehicles entering Kyrgyzstan or to negotiate with Tashkent to eliminate the charge altogether. Addressing Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Bekeshev explained that many Kyrgyz citizens regularly travel between Jalal-Abad and Batken, routes that often require passage through Uzbek territory. “They charge $15 for every car with tinted rear windows, almost every day. But we don’t charge them anything,” he said. The fee is collected via Uzbekistan’s MBANK mobile application, streamlining payment for drivers. Many Kyrgyz citizens consider the charge unjustified and burdensome. Tinting regulations differ significantly between the two countries. In Kyrgyzstan, individuals must pay 50,000 KGS (around $576) annually to tint their vehicle windows, while businesses pay 70,000 KGS (about $807). In Uzbekistan, rear window tinting is permitted at no cost, but tinting front windows costs approximately 3 million UZS (around $234) per year. Kulubaev acknowledged that the issue had not been formally raised before but assured lawmakers that it would be examined. “We can discuss this on a mutual basis and bring it up at an intergovernmental commission meeting,” he stated. Uzbekistan introduced the $15 fee in 2018 through a government decree aimed at regulating vehicle window tinting. Proceeds from the fee are directed to the state budget. The debate now centers on whether Kyrgyzstan should adopt a reciprocal policy or seek a bilateral agreement to eliminate the fee, a decision that may set a precedent for broader discussions on regional transportation and cross-border regulations.

Road

Kazakhstan Proposes “Idioten Test” for Repeat Traffic Offenders

Kazakhstan may introduce a special psychophysiological test for repeat traffic offenders, inspired by a practice used in Germany. Senate Deputy Marat Kozhayev has proposed that motorists who repeatedly commit the same traffic violations be subjected to such a test, which could result in the revocation of their driver's licenses. German "Idioten Test" as a Model for Kazakhstan Speaking at a roundtable on road safety, Kozhayev, who has an extensive background in law enforcement, suggested adopting stricter policies for repeat offenders. “In Germany, there is a so-called 'Idioten Test,' which drivers must undergo after committing three identical traffic offenses. This test is a serious challenge,” Kozhayev said. He believes a similar system in Kazakhstan could deter habitual violators. Proposal to End Fine Discounts for Frequent Offenders Kozhayev also advocated for the abolition of the 50% discount on traffic fines for drivers with more than ten recorded violations. Currently, Kazakhstan allows fines to be paid at a 50% discount if settled within a week of issuance. However, Kozhayev pointed out that some drivers accumulate up to 300 violations per year. He cited official statistics from 2024, revealing that: 162,000 drivers committed between 10 and 100 violations. 500 drivers committed between 100 and 300 violations. “These serial violators should not benefit from fine reductions,” Kozhayev emphasized. “If a driver wants to stand out on the road, let them bear full responsibility for their actions. Why should we continue forgiving violations and offering discounts?” He believes that drivers with such an extensive history of infractions should have their licenses revoked altogether. Debate Over Drunk Driving Penalties Kozhayev also opposes any reduction in penalties for drunk driving, engaging in an indirect debate with Mazhilis Deputy Nikolai Arsyutin. Arsyutin had recently argued that Kazakhstan’s seven-year license revocation policy for drunk driving was too harsh, particularly in cases where no accident occurred, and the alcohol level was minimal. He also warned that harsh penalties create opportunities for police abuse, citing numerous citizen complaints about the objectivity of intoxication tests. “There are concerns about the accuracy of alcohol and drug tests,” Arsyutin said, calling for standardized testing procedures. More Than 200,000 Licenses Revoked Since 2022 According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, over 200,000 drivers in Kazakhstan have had their licenses revoked since the stricter Code of Administrative Offenses was introduced in 2022. Arsyutin argues that most countries take a more flexible approach, adjusting penalties based on the degree of intoxication and the circumstances surrounding the offense. This, he claims, would help reduce both the social backlash and corruption risks. Arsyutin has called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct a thorough review and propose unified rules for determining intoxication levels. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan continues to see a steady rise in vehicle ownership, with the country setting a record for new car sales in 2024.