Kazakhstan introduces two new grounds for revoking driving privileges

Kazakhstan is tightening its grip on driving privileges with two significant amendments to its Road Traffic Law, set to take effect on August 25. These changes aim to enhance road safety by introducing stricter medical and legal requirements for drivers.

“

If the system contains no information on whether a driver is medically fit to drive or has medical contraindications, this will become grounds for terminating the right to drive.

One key amendment targets drivers aged 65 and older, along with individuals with disabilities. Henceforth, their medical examinations must not only be completed but also successfully registered within the digital road traffic system. A failure to have this information available in the system, indicating fitness to drive or the presence of contraindications, will automatically lead to the termination of their driving rights. This new measure ensures that medical status is consistently and verifiably recorded, leaving no room for ambiguity.

“

From August 25, the termination of a criminal case on one of the listed grounds will no longer allow a driver to retain the right to drive.

The second major change addresses individuals who have been released from criminal liability for driving under the influence of alcohol. Previously, certain grounds for closing a drunk-driving case without a conviction, such as amnesty, expired statutes of limitations, or legal insanity, allowed drivers to retain their licenses. However, under the new law, the termination of a criminal case, regardless of the specific reason, will result in the revocation of driving privileges. This decision will be made by the authorized state body, not requiring a separate court order, and will be reflected in the digital system.

“

Under the new grounds, a separate court decision to terminate the right to drive will not be required.

Restoring driving rights under these new provisions will also see procedural adjustments. Drivers whose licenses are revoked due to missing medical information can regain their privileges once their fitness to drive is confirmed and updated in the digital system. For those affected by the drunk-driving case closures, the path back to driving is considerably longer. They must wait eight years before they can apply for restoration, which will involve passing both a medical examination and a theoretical test on traffic rules.

“

Drivers whose right to drive was terminated after the closure of a drunk-driving criminal case will have to wait eight years.