How to get a driver's license in Russia as a foreigner
When do you need a Russian driver's license?
You only need a national driver's license if you have Russian citizenship, a residence permit or a temporary residence permit. You have 12 months to replace your driver's license. If you fail to do so, you will be fined 15,000 rubles (approx. $180) and suspended from driving.
An exception is made only for citizens of Belarus – they can drive on their own license.
You also need a Russian license if you get a job as a driver (exceptions for citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, South Ossetia and Abkhazia).
And if you are just a tourist or have come to Russia on business, you do not need one. Russia has been participating in the Vienna Convention on International Traffic for more than 30 years. This means that citizens of all participating countries can drive there on their driver's licenses (here’s a list of all the countries). Citizens of other countries, meanwhile, can drive using an international driver's license or on their own licenses, along with a notarized translation into Russian.
How to exchange a foreign driver's license for a Russian one?
According to the federal law ‘On Road Traffic Safety’, from April 1, 2025, it will only be possible to exchange a driver's license of your home country for a Russian one via an examination. Only diplomats and members of their immediate families can change their driver's license without passing the exam.
The rest will have to prove their knowledge: for categories A (motorcycles), B (passenger cars) and M (mopeds), drivers only have to take a theoretical exam at the local traffic police department (MREO). It includes 20 questions on traffic rules, which you must answer in 20 minutes. You are only allowed to make two mistakes and, for each mistake, you'll get another five questions, in which no further mistakes can be made. The test is conducted on a computer.
You can study all the questions yourself, there are about 800 of them (an example of such a test in Russian). However, you can enroll at any driving school.
If you want to get a C (trucks) or D (buses) category license, you will have to undergo full training in a Russian driving school and pass not only the theory, but also the practical exam on a par with everyone else. Exceptions are made for citizens of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Citizens of those countries only have to take the theoretical exam.
When exchanging your license, your driving experience will be transferred to your Russian license. The license of your country will also remain with you.
What documents do you need to replace your driver's license?
- A passport or other identification. If it is in a foreign language, you must have it translated into Russian and notarized.
- Foreign driver's license, which will also need to be translated and notarized. The license must be valid: expired ones cannot be exchanged in Russia, you will have to go to the driving school again.
- A document that confirms your right to be in Russia: residence permit, temporary residence permit or migration card.
- Medical certificate not older than 1 year in form 003-V/U (it is made in any Russian polyclinic).
- Certificate of graduation from a driving school in Russia (if available).
- Application, which can be submitted either via the 'Gosuslugi’ service or at a traffic police department.
- You will also need to pay a state duty at the traffic police department – 2,000 rubles (~$20).
As a rule, the driver's license is exchanged on the same day, but sometimes it takes a little longer.
How to get a driver's license in Russia for the first time?
If you have never had a driver's license before, you will have to undergo training at a Russian driving school. The training is conducted only in Russian and lasts about three months.
It consists of two parts: theory, where you learn road safety issues in detail (including exam tickets), as well as practical training with an instructor.
Training for category ‘A’ will cost about 30,000 rubles (~$350), for category ‘B’ and others – about 50,000 rubles (~$600).
You can start studying at a driving school from the age of 16 and are eligible to take the exams for category ‘M’ or subcategory ‘A1’ at the same age. You’re eligible to take the exam for categories ‘B’ and ‘C’ from 17 years old, but you won’t be able to get a license and drive on the roads until 18 years of age. And, for category D, only those from the age of 21 are eligible. Meanwhile, there is no upper age limit.
After completing training, you will need to take the theoretical exam at the traffic police. Without a certificate of completion from the driving school, you will not be allowed to take the exams.
The rest of the documents are the same as when exchanging a driver's license: passport with notarized translation, residence permit, medical certificate, application, fee (also 2,000 rubles).
You can sign up for the traffic police exam at a driving school, on your own via 'Gosuslugi’ or in person. The fee is a one time payment, even if you are sent for a retake. The exception is if you want to change the place where you will take the exam. Then you will have to pay the fee again.
Licenses in Russia are valid for 10 years. After it expires, you will need to exchange it for a new one.