Photo: RBC
New rules for drivers who require specially adapted vehicles for health reasons took effect in Ukraine on November 1. Under the changes, doctors will determine whether a person needs a vehicle adaptation, while authorized staff at Ministry of Internal Affairs service centers will decide which specific modifications are required.
The changes are set out in Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 668.
How the new rules will work
During a medical examination, a doctor will assess the person's health and indicate in their medical certificate whether vehicle adaptations are necessary for safe driving.
If adaptations are required, authorized staff at regional MIA service centers will determine which modifications are needed. These may include special hand controls and other additional devices. They may also conclude that no vehicle adaptation is necessary.
Drivers will receive a separate certificate following the assessment. Information about the required adaptations will be entered in field 12 of their driving licence using special codes.
Do drivers need to replace their licences?
The new rules apply only to people whose medical condition requires special equipment to operate a vehicle. They do not require all drivers to undergo an urgent medical examination or exchange their driving licences.
Separately, candidates in Ukraine can now retake the practical driving test an unlimited number of times within two years of completing practical training at a driving school.
From 2026, driving licences for motorcycles and passenger cars are valid for 15 years, while licences for trucks and passenger transport vehicles are valid for five years. Licences issued earlier remain valid until their stated expiry dates, and drivers do not need to retake exams when exchanging them.
