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Taxi Licensing

Kyrgyzstan Moves Taxi Licensing Online

Private taxi drivers in Kyrgyzstan can now apply for operating licenses online. The new system removes the need to visit the Main Directorate for Road Traffic Safety (GUOBDD) to submit paperwork and applications in person. Drivers can apply through mobile apps, although long queues for taxi licenses have yet to ease. According to Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev, the government introduced the digital system to create more transparent and convenient conditions for taxi and minibus drivers. Kasymaliev said the reform frees drivers from paper bureaucracy and simplifies the licensing process. “We have created the most convenient and transparent digital conditions. Now the task is to explain the process to every driver, including mandatory medical and technical inspections. At the same time, transport operators must clearly understand that starting from July 1 this year, taxi drivers working without proper licenses will face strict liability under the law,” he said. The licensing change follows recent moves to tighten passenger transport regulations in Kyrgyzstan. GUOBDD told The Times of Central Asia that around 300 people applied online on the first day of the new system, including 120 in Bishkek. According to Nurdin Sambaev, head of the department for transport activity licensing and technical supervision at GUOBDD, drivers need to register in the app and complete identity verification before applying. “Once the driver enters their taxpayer identification number, the system automatically requests all necessary documents from other state agencies. This includes criminal record certificates, vehicle registration documents, and other paperwork required for licensing,” Sambaev said. Some steps still require a physical visit. Drivers must appear at the department for vehicle inspections. They must also undergo a medical examination to obtain the Form 083 certificate of professional fitness. The results of these checks will be uploaded directly into the government’s Tunduk app, where the license itself will also be displayed. The simplified process has not yet won over all drivers. According to offline licensing officers, queues have remained long since authorities announced that fines would be imposed on drivers without licenses from July 1. Taxi drivers interviewed by The Times of Central Asia said submitting documents in person still feels more reliable and familiar. Many also noted that other drivers can help explain the paperwork if questions arise. Some said they had not yet figured out how to use the app, while others said their online applications had failed, forcing them to return to the traditional method. GUOBDD staff welcomed the change, saying the digital format will reduce paperwork and simplify the processing of applications.

Recycling

Uzbekistan Draft Proposes Annual Fee for Vehicles Over 30 Years Old

A draft government resolution in Uzbekistan has proposed annual environmental compensation payments for owners of vehicles manufactured 30 or more years ago, as part of a wider plan to regulate end-of-life transport and expand vehicle recycling. The proposal has not yet been adopted. The draft document, titled “On Organizing the Utilization of Vehicles with Expired Service Life and Recycling of Their Components,” was released through official public consultation channels and outlines a phased approach to introducing scrappage and recycling mechanisms across the country. According to the proposal, from January 1, 2027, owners of passenger vehicles manufactured 30 or more years ago would be required to pay an annual environmental compensation fee equal to 30 times the base calculation value. At the current rate, that would amount to about 12.36 million Uzbek som, or approximately $1,033. The payment is described as a mechanism intended to offset environmental damage caused by older vehicles. The draft was prepared under Uzbekistan’s broader environmental and waste-management reforms, led by the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, which is responsible for policy coordination in the environmental sector. The initiative also involves the planned creation of a national system for collecting, evaluating, and recycling vehicles that have reached the end of their operational life. The recycling system would be introduced in stages. From 2026, it would cover M1 category vehicles, primarily passenger cars. From 2027, it would extend to M2, M3, N1, N2, and N3 categories, covering minibuses, buses, and freight vehicles. By 2030, the framework is expected to cover all types of wheeled transport. The proposed environmental compensation fee for vehicles 30 or more years old would begin separately on January 1, 2027. The draft also proposes restrictions on vehicles deemed environmentally harmful. From 2027, vehicles classified as environmentally harmful could face restrictions on re-registration and continued use, with exceptions for antique vehicles recognized under existing regulations. A central component of the proposal is the creation of a unified digital system to manage the process. The platform would be developed under the coordination of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan together with the national waste-management and circular economy agency. The system is expected to integrate data from tax, customs, and public-service databases through Uzbekistan’s e-government infrastructure. Technical implementation support is planned to involve Uzinfocom, the state IT integrator responsible for digital government platforms. Under the proposed model, vehicle owners would first undergo a technical inspection and valuation process before transferring their vehicles for recycling. Operators and assessment companies would be selected through competitive tenders. Once approved, they would handle vehicle acceptance, dismantling, and material recovery, including metals, plastics, batteries, and glass components. Owners of scrapped vehicles could receive compensation in several forms, including direct cash payments, electronic vouchers for purchasing new vehicles at discounted prices, or other mechanisms defined under national legislation. The value of compensation would depend on the technical assessment of the vehicle. The draft also introduces incentives for recycling operators through a “green subsidy” system financed by recycling-related fees. These subsidies...

Crackdown on Private Taxis Complicates Life for Residents of Ashgabat’s Outskirts

In Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, traffic police have intensified inspections of private taxi drivers in outlying districts such as Choganly, Garadamak, and Shor. While the measures are formally aimed at curbing informal transport services, they have had significant consequences for local residents. Public transport technically operates in these areas, but routes largely run along main roads. Those living farther away often have to walk several kilometers to reach their homes. According to residents, private drivers previously helped bridge this gap by offering rides from bus stops. That option has now largely disappeared. Drivers are being stopped, fined, or, according to eyewitness accounts, asked to pay bribes. As a result, not only the drivers, many of whom rely on informal taxi services as one of the few sources of income amid unemployment, are affected, but also passengers. People with children or heavy bags are increasingly forced to walk. The situation is further aggravated by earlier restrictions. Around two years ago, at the request of city authorities, small shops were closed across the capital, including in these districts. As a result, residents must now travel to supermarkets or markets to buy groceries. This has led many to purchase goods in bulk, making the journey home even more difficult. Conditions are particularly challenging on more remote streets. For example, Ashgabat Street deep within Choganly is poorly developed, lacking sidewalks and turning into muddy streams during rainy weather. Residents say that walking in such conditions is difficult and nearly impossible with strollers or heavy bags. The street branches into smaller roads, many of which are unpaved. As a result, even routine trips outside the home can become a serious challenge. More broadly, residents note that restrictions are being introduced faster than basic infrastructure problems are being addressed. In such conditions, any tightening of regulations has an immediate and tangible impact on daily life.

Transport

Turkmenistan’s Train and Bus Networks Reportedly Failing Passengers

Overcrowded trains and buses, often carrying passengers without tickets, have long been a feature of life in Turkmenistan, continuing to frustrate residents who rely on intercity transport. As reported by Chronicles of Turkmenistan, many had hoped for improvements following the dismissal of Deputy Prime Minister for Transport and Communications Mammetkhan Chakyev. However, in the three months since Batyr Annayev was appointed to the role, no meaningful progress has been observed in passenger transport services. Purchasing train or bus tickets online is possible only 7-10 days before departure. Closer to the travel date, passengers turn to ticket offices, but tickets are typically sold out. Meanwhile, intermediaries offer tickets at prices three to four times higher than official rates. For example, a train ticket from Ashgabat to the town of Yoloten costs around $8 at official counters, but resellers charge between $26 and $32 for the same ticket. The situation is even more pronounced for Dashoguz: an official seat in a sleeper-class carriage costs about $16, while tickets purchased through intermediaries can reach $58. Residents of Dashoguz region face the greatest challenges. There are reportedly no buses or taxis available. Only two trains run daily, which locals describe as critically insufficient. In contrast, buses and taxis operate to the towns of Bayramaly, Turkmenabat, and the city of Turkmenbashi. Nevertheless, trains on these routes remain heavily overcrowded, with passenger numbers exceeding capacity by 1.5 to 2 times. Those unable to obtain tickets online, at ticket offices, or through intermediaries often pay conductors directly. As a result, passengers occupy not only seats and berths but also stand or sit in vestibules, corridors, and even near toilets. According to the publication, the only noticeable change since Annayev took office has been a ban on carrying traditional Turkmen flatbread and govurma (fried, preserved meat) on international flights. While some restrictions existed previously, eyewitnesses reported that in the early days of his tenure, bins at Ashgabat airport were filled with confiscated food items prohibited from export.

Transport

Prototype Driverless Taxi Unveiled in Astana

As part of the Nauryz celebrations in Astana, a demonstration run of a driverless vehicle developed at the Daulet Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) was held. In the future, this prototype could become part of the city’s driverless taxi system. The presentation took the form of a public demonstration for residents and visitors to Kazakhstan’s capital. According to the Astana City Administration, the vehicle’s software and test route were developed by specialists from the Luban Workshop, which opened at EKTU in Ust-Kamenogorsk in late 2023 with support from China’s Tianjin Vocational Institute. The project is being implemented as part of an initiative to develop engineering competencies and introduce new technologies, ranging from alternative fuels to AI systems in the transport sector. At the same time, an agreement was signed to establish the Kazakhstan Engineering Center for the Application and Development of Intelligent Automotive Technologies. The demonstration run was organised by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in collaboration with the capital’s city administration and the IT company Astana Innovations. The test took place at one of the city’s festive venues. Visitors were able to observe the autonomous vehicle in real time and assess its potential for use in an urban environment. According to the organisers, the prototype demonstrated the potential for integrating AI technologies into Smart City systems, including navigation, data processing, and interaction with infrastructure. Authorities view driverless transport as one of the key areas in the development of urban mobility. In the future, such solutions may be integrated into Astana’s infrastructure, including the launch of autonomous taxis. It was previously reported that Kazakhstan plans to launch pilot projects for driverless taxis in the capital as early as 2026. At the same time, work is under way to prepare road infrastructure. Digital “passports” for highways are being developed, which are expected to enable the future use of driverless trucks.

Kyrgyz-Chinese Border

Kyrgyzstan Launches Electronic Queuing System for Trucks at China Border

Kyrgyzstan’s State Customs Service has launched a pilot electronic queuing system for trucks at the Torugart border crossing in the Naryn region on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border. According to the Customs Service, the system is designed to streamline truck flows and reduce congestion that previously formed near the crossing. Queues of heavy vehicles sometimes stretched for up to 25 kilometres, placing significant strain on road infrastructure and negatively affecting the environment around Lake Chatyr-Kul. The new system allows transport operators to pre-register trucks for border clearance. Vehicles are directed to the checkpoint from a designated waiting area in accordance with their place in the electronic queue. In addition, a new waiting facility for drivers and representatives of transport companies has been opened at the crossing. Torugart is currently undergoing modernisation. Planned upgrades include the expansion of checkpoint territory, installation of modern non-intrusive inspection equipment, increased throughput capacity, and the construction of additional parking areas. The initiative is aimed at improving the efficiency of the crossing amid growing trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and China. According to Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Liu Jiangping, bilateral trade reached a record $27.2 billion in 2025, representing a 20% increase compared with the previous year. Torugart is one of Kyrgyzstan’s two fully operational road crossings with China, alongside the Irkeshtam checkpoint in the Osh region. In September 2024, Kyrgyzstan opened a third road crossing with China. The Bedel checkpoint, initially launched under a simplified regime, is located in a remote mountainous area roughly equidistant from Karakol in Kyrgyzstan and Aksu in China. Its full-scale development with infrastructure meeting international standards is expected to be completed by 2027.