Starting from October 1, new requirements have been introduced in Uzbekistan for moped and scooter drivers: it is now necessary to have a state registration number and a driver's license. The publication "Gazeta" conducted a survey among couriers who faced difficulties due to these changes, as well as investigated the situation in driving schools and delivery services.
Since the beginning of October, the number of couriers on scooters and mopeds has noticeably decreased in Tashkent. Social media has seen an increase in reports of fines for drivers lacking the necessary documents, as well as cases of confiscation of their vehicles.
Correspondents of "Gazeta" found out how the situation has changed after the introduction of new rules by communicating with couriers, representatives of delivery services, and driving schools that train drivers for category "A," which allows for the operation of mopeds.
Feedback from Couriers
Azizbek Olimjonov, courier from Andijan:
Since November of last year, I have been working as a courier on a scooter. However, starting from October 1, without a driver's license, I switched to a bicycle that I rent. There are noticeably fewer scooters on the roads. In the first days of the new rules, I often saw drivers being fined.
The demand for orders has increased, and the company rewards bicycle couriers with bonuses, so we work non-stop. The bonus is 40% of the delivery cost. If the delivery costs 20,000 sums, with the bonus, it amounts to 32,000. Renting a bicycle costs 380,000 sums per week, but if you complete 100 orders in a week, you only pay 100,000. This is not bad, but there are not enough bike lanes in the city, which creates safety risks.
Moreover, the speed on a bicycle and a scooter differs significantly. It is much more convenient and comfortable to move on a scooter. I would like the process of obtaining a license for scooters to be simplified.
"The number of orders for bicycle couriers has doubled"
Muhammad Norov, bicycle courier from Kashkadarya region:
I have been working as a courier for three months on my own bicycle. I previously planned to buy a scooter, but now it has become difficult due to the new rules.
Since October 1, our orders have doubled. Previously, there were about 30 orders a day, now — up to 60. I worked in the Ecobazar area, but now I have to travel further, 4-6 kilometers.
Look at the map (shows in the courier app). Previously, everything here was yellow, and now it's red. The number of orders has significantly increased, and we try to deliver them as quickly as possible, but there are not enough couriers.
In my opinion, the license should be abolished — this would attract more workers to this field, where mainly low-income people work. Many of them come from the regions to feed their families.
"Lack of couriers for long-distance deliveries"
Student, bicycle courier:
I have been working as a courier for a year. Almost 70% of couriers have disappeared from the streets. Those who have obtained licenses and numbers are in the minority, so the number of orders has increased. Previously, I earned about 400,000 sums, working 9-10 hours, and now — 500-600 thousand.
Companies offer bonuses for scooter couriers; they are indeed lacking. Couriers with cars and scooters could deliver over longer distances, while we only work within 6 kilometers, which creates problems.
"I worked on a scooter, and now I don't go to work"
Zainiddin Choriyev, student:
- I worked as a courier for about a year, starting on a bicycle, then bought a scooter for 6 million sums. Since October 1, I haven't gone to work because I don't want my scooter, which cost so much money, to end up in a penalty parking lot. I have a category "B" license, but to obtain "A," I need to pay as much as the scooter cost. I don't have extra funds.
Another problem is the registration of the scooter. I bought it in 2024, but by law, it had to be registered by September 30. I didn't make it, and when I came to register, I lacked the invoice.
To register the number, I need to go to the region, which creates additional expenses. Even if I manage to get the number, the license is still too expensive. It would be good if the cost were reduced.
Companies are looking for solutions for couriers. For example, they offer electric bicycles, but this is not very convenient, as on a scooter we could deliver orders over a distance of 15-20 kilometers, which is impossible on a bicycle.
Switching from a scooter to a bicycle is difficult because you quickly get used to the convenience of a scooter. My classes start in the morning, so working from noon to night on a bicycle is challenging. I won't be able to get up in the morning and will miss classes.
I am not against vehicle registration; let there be numbers, but driver's licenses are unnecessary. I would like their cost to be reduced and the exam to be easier.
Observations from "Gazeta"
To communicate with couriers, we spent over an hour at a local cafeteria, a popular gathering place for couriers. During this time, we only met two on scooters who had numbers and licenses, but they were in a hurry for deliveries and could not talk.
When we were preparing materials in September, there were about 20-30 couriers on scooters and mopeds in the same place.
The situation with bicycle couriers is similar — they did not have time to talk due to the high flow of orders. Many agreed to short conversations but managed to fulfill orders while we were talking to others.
Most couriers noted that the number of orders has significantly increased.
In Telegram groups for couriers, advertisements for bicycle rentals and discount promotions have appeared. For example, "Free week for couriers without registration." Next to such advertisements, you can often see others offering "Scooter for sale."
Many bicycle couriers leave messages about "hot" orders. One of those who started working on an electric bicycle reported that he was stopped by an inspector and asked for identification. When the courier explained that this was not a scooter, the inspector replied: "If it has a motor, it’s a scooter." After that, the courier did not go to work anymore.
Application of Fines
Since the beginning of October, social media has seen reports of fines for scooter and moped drivers who do not have licenses and numbers, and their vehicles are sent to penalty parking.
According to Article 135 of the Administrative Offenses Code, the fine for driving without a driver's license is 5 BRV — 2.6 million sums. For unregistered vehicles — under Article 125 of the Administrative Offenses Code — the fine is half of the BRV (206 thousand sums).
"Gazeta" contacted the press secretary of the Road Safety Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Zoir Yuldashev, with questions about the number of fined scooter and moped owners and the amounts of fines. Yuldashev reported that due to the large number of inquiries from journalists, a press conference is planned to answer all questions.
What is happening in driving schools that teach category "A"?
Has the introduction of new rules affected the number of people wishing to learn for category "A"? What are the terms and costs of training? Journalists from "Gazeta" contacted driving schools in Tashkent and other regions.
Not all driving schools in Uzbekistan offer training for category "A." Previously, a representative of the Road Safety Service reported that there are more than 200 such schools. Below are the data about the driving schools that "Gazeta" correspondents communicated with. There may be other schools in each region with different conditions.
Representative of the driving school "Avtolider":
We continue to enroll for category "A." We cannot say when a new group will open, but if enough people enroll, we will open it in October. Training lasts two months, and the cost of the course is 2.5 million sums. Interest in category "A" has significantly increased after October 1 — if previously 1-2 people were interested per week, now it is 15-20 people.
Representative of the driving school "Damal":
The course for category "A" lasts 2 months and 10 days, and the cost is 2.5 million sums. At the end of September, a few people were interested, then it became quiet again. Currently, 12 people have signed up for the group, which is fewer than before. To open a group, 24 are needed, but under current conditions, we will open it if at least 20 enroll.
Representative of the driving school "Star Mig Auto":
“Category "A" is now mandatory, but we have not yet been able to gather a group. Training lasts 3 months, and the cost is 3 million sums. After October 1, there are many interested, but only 5 people have submitted documents; the group has not yet been opened.”
Representative of one of the driving schools in the Yukorichirchik district:
“The course lasts 3 months, and the cost is 3.5 million sums. Before October, 5-6 people signed up, but in October, no one has applied yet. We expected a surge, but it is all quiet.”
Bukhara Driver:
“Training for category "A" lasts 2 months and 15 days, and the cost is 2 million sums. Only 4 people signed up after October 1.”
"Vatanparvar":
“The course lasts 2 months, and the price is 2.5 million sums. A new enrollment is ongoing, but demand is low. After October 1, 10 people signed up, whereas previously there were fewer inquiries.
Kashkadarya region (Karshi):
“Training lasts 2.5 months, and the price is 1.8 million sums. After the new rules came into effect, 20-30 people signed up in 7-10 days, and we opened two groups.
Khorezm region (Bagat)
“Category "A" lasts 2 months, 2 million sums. Previously, there were no groups, but now applications have started coming in; 2-3 people have signed up.”
In the Surkhandarya region and Karakalpakstan, driving schools that we managed to contact reported that they do not teach category "A."
Situation in Delivery Services
Uzum Tezkor
As reported to "Gazeta" by the press service of Uzum Tezkor, after the new requirements came into effect on October 1, the number of couriers has decreased. Some drivers have adapted and switched to electric bicycles, but some couriers have temporarily suspended work.
Some lack the time or funds to undergo training in a driving school. Working as a courier was an additional income for many, allowing them to cover various expenses, but now it has become difficult to combine this with primary work and studies.
Training requires additional costs, and for many, this becomes a serious financial burden. They spend up to 80% of their monthly income on training and exam fees.
“Moreover, many have mandatory expenses, such as supporting parents. Training for category "A" takes 2-3 months, so couriers are forced to either suspend work or switch to another mode of transport to save the necessary amount,” the company added.
Uzum Tezkor, together with logistics partners, has launched a series of initiatives to support couriers, helping with the paperwork for obtaining licenses and offering training at discounted rates.
In October, couriers received additional bonuses for completing orders, and a program to attract new couriers has been launched. These measures are aimed at supporting stable income and partially covering training expenses. The sizes of discounts and bonuses in the company were not disclosed.
For clients, the conditions remain the same: Uzum Tezkor offers favorable deals and discounts for card payments.
Yandex Uzbekistan
Yandex Uzbekistan also noted a reduction in the number of couriers working on mopeds. However, since October 1, there has been a slight increase in couriers delivering orders on foot and by car.
The average delivery time has increased by 2-4 minutes. "It is still difficult to assess the impact of the new rules on prices, as not much time has passed," the company noted.
Yandex Uzbekistan offers its couriers to rent electric bicycles at a price of 420,000 sums per week, and starting from October 1, couriers completing 100 orders a week can rent them for a symbolic fee.
Additionally, couriers can undergo training and obtain licenses at partner driving schools of Yandex Go with discounts provided, although their size is not specified.
Wolt Uzbekistan
The CEO of Wolt Uzbekistan, Zafar Iskhakov, noted that some couriers are temporarily unable to work until they complete their paperwork. "We are currently observing a process of adaptation: many couriers are processing their licenses and registration numbers and will soon resume fulfilling orders," he added.
The company did not note any systemic changes in the delivery process. There may have been slight delays in the first days, but there are no significant factors affecting the service's operation. "Quality is always a priority for us," emphasized Zafar Iskhakov.
Wolt Uzbekistan also has a cooperation program with vehicle fleets, allowing couriers to rent other transport if they temporarily cannot use a motorcycle, particularly electric bicycles.
“This is a convenient solution that allows couriers to continue working and promotes the development of eco-friendly transport,” the company director added.
