Changing driver's licenses in 2026: a complete step-by-step guide

      Starting from January 2026, temporary measures for the automatic extension of driver's licenses in Russia have been discontinued.

      Now, the replacement of licenses occurs according to standard rules: each license is valid for 10 years, after which it needs to be renewed. In this article, we will discuss who and how to change their license in 2026, what documents are required, what penalties are imposed for delays, and what has changed for residents of historical regions.

      Why automatic renewal of licenses was canceled

      In 2022, the Government of Russia introduced a temporary measure due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic and geopolitical events. Driver's licenses that expired between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, were automatically extended for three years. Later, this measure was also applied to licenses expiring in 2024 and 2025. What did this mean for drivers? They could continue to drive without paying attention to the expired date in the "valid until" section. No additional marks were made on the licenses. However, starting in January 2026, the regulation governing "automatic renewal" has lost its force. Let's consider three main scenarios:

      If your license expired before 2022, it is considered expired from the date indicated in the document. You needed to change it immediately.

      If the expiration was in 2022–2025 (falling under automatic renewal), then the license is formally valid for three years from the expiration date. For example, if the expiration date was in July 2023, the automatic renewal made it valid until July 2026. Until that moment, you can use the document, but it is better not to delay the replacement.

      If your license expires in 2026, you need to change it in the standard manner — before the expiration date.

      Penalty for an expired driver's license

      Driving with an expired license is a serious violation. It is classified under part 1 of article 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The penalty for delay ranges from 5,000 to 15,000 rubles. Additionally, you may be suspended from driving, and the car may be sent to a towing lot. So don't take risks — check the validity of your license right now.

      What documents are needed to replace a license in 2026

      To obtain a new Russian national driver's license, you will need to gather a small package of documents:

      - Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (or temporary identity document).

      - Old driver's license (if not lost).

      - Medical certificate in form No. 003-V/u. This is mandatory when the 10-year validity period of the license expires, when returning the license after revocation, and when opening a new category. A certificate is only not needed when replacing due to a change of surname, loss, or damage to the document (provided that the validity of the old license has not yet expired).

      - SNILS (Insurance Number of Individual Personal Account).

      - Receipt of payment for state duty.

      Amount of state duty for license replacement in 2026

      The amount of state duty depends on the type of document you want to obtain:

      - 4,000 rubles — for a standard national driver's license.

      - 3,200 rubles — for an international driver's license.

      You can pay the duty on the "Gosuslugi" portal (where a 30% discount is often provided for cashless payments), through bank cashiers, terminals, or online services. Note: when paying through "Gosuslugi," a commission is usually not charged, and the amount of the duty may be reduced.

      Step-by-step instructions for replacing a driver's license

      The entire procedure is quite simple, but it is important to follow the sequence of actions. Let's consider three ways to submit an application.

      Method 1: through the "Gosuslugi" portal (the fastest)

      - Log in to the "Gosuslugi" portal and go to the section for obtaining public services through the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate.

      - Fill out the electronic application for replacing the driver's license, entering information about the medical certificate (number and date of issue).

      - Pay the state duty online — a 30% discount is valid until the end of 2026.

      - The system will offer you to choose a convenient division of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate and will schedule a date and time for your visit.

      - On the scheduled day, come to the division with the originals of the documents (passport, old license, medical certificate). They will take a photo and issue a new license. The old one will be canceled.

      Method 2: through a Multifunctional Center (MFC)

      If you do not have internet access or prefer to use MFC services, you can submit an application there. However, keep in mind: the processing time for licenses may take up to 15 days. This is because MFC employees send documents to the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate via courier service.

      Method 3: personal visit to the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate division

      You can go to the nearest examination and testing department of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate without prior appointment. But be prepared for queues. If you register through "Gosuslugi" or a terminal at the department, the process will be expedited. On the day of your visit, if you have a complete set of documents, the new license will be issued immediately after photographing.

      Important nuances: medical certificate and categories

      If you are changing your license due to opening a new category or health deterioration, passing a medical commission is mandatory. The certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue.

      For professional drivers (taxis, freight transport, buses), the requirements are stricter: a conclusion from a broader list of doctors and additional examinations will be required.

      When replacing a license due to a change of surname, name, loss, or damage to the document, a medical certificate is not required — provided that the validity of the old license has not yet expired.

      License replacement in historical regions: DNR, LNR, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions

      For residents of these regions, a special transitional period was in effect until January 1, 2026. They could exchange Ukrainian driver's licenses or licenses of the DNR/LNR sample for Russian ones without taking exams and without paying state duty. However, from the beginning of 2026, the simplified procedure has been discontinued.

      Now, the issuance of Russian national driver's licenses based on documents issued in Ukraine, DNR, or LNR occurs in the general manner. This means that candidates must:

      - pass theoretical and practical exams at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate;

      - undergo a medical commission (form 003-V/u);

      - pay the state duty in full.

      There are no more exceptions, so residents of historical regions should prepare in advance for the standard procedure.

      What to do if your license is already expired?

      If you find that your license has expired, immediately stop driving. Replace your license using any of the methods described above. Keep in mind: if the expiration was over a year ago, you do not need to take exams at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate (provided that you have not been deprived of your license). However, you may be fined for driving with an expired license in the amount of 5,000 to 15,000 rubles and suspended from driving.

      Conclusion

      The replacement of driver's licenses in 2026 has returned to the standard ten-year cycle. Automatic renewal, which was in effect from 2022 to 2025, has been canceled. To avoid fines and problems on the road, check the expiration date of your license. If it has expired or is expiring in 2026 — do not delay your visit to the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate or MFC. Gather the necessary documents, undergo a medical examination if necessary, pay the state duty, and obtain a new license. The most convenient and fastest way is to submit an application through the "Gosuslugi" portal with a subsequent visit to the division at the scheduled time. Be law-abiding drivers and do not risk your money and safety.

      Alexander Isakov

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

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