President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov explained the necessity of transferring driving schools under state control in an interview with the "Kabar" agency. He noted that this decision is aimed at combating corruption and improving the quality of driver training. According to him, the previous system contributed to an increase in the number of accidents and human casualties on the roads.
- Hello, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich. The society is discussing the closure of private driving schools and the establishment of state ones. What is the reason for such measures?
- Hello. I instructed to investigate this area. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, there have been no significant changes in the field of driver training and vehicle registration. This system was under the control of various agencies, but unfortunately, corruption was widespread. Changes in leadership did not bring improvements, as many of them were involved in corrupt schemes.
During the reform, we decided that we would produce state license plates, driver's licenses, and technical passports ourselves, which were previously purchased abroad. Despite criticism, we successfully implemented this system. Now all data is in a single database, and the process is fully digitized. However, driving schools remained the last link in this chain.
- Could the reforms have been carried out without closing private driving schools?
- Most private driving schools showed no interest in quality driver training; their main goal was profit. Citizens simply submitted documents and received certificates without undergoing training, and then went to "Unaa" and obtained licenses without an exam.
Corrupt schemes that existed between driving schools and the "Unaa" institution, which issues licenses, contributed to this. Previously, no one failed the exams; licenses were obtained easily, thanks to bribes. Currently, we have established strict control over the State Institution "Unaa," and now graduates of private driving schools face difficulties in exams, with some having to retake them 10-15 times. The reason for this is that they did not receive proper training.
- Is the increase in the number of traffic accidents somehow related to this situation?
- The reasons for accidents vary, but the main problem lies in the low standards of driver training. In Kyrgyzstan, more than 900 people die in traffic accidents every year, and in some years this figure exceeds a thousand. This is a huge tragedy; even in wartime, so many people do not die. The main factors contributing to traffic accidents are corruption in training, the purchase of licenses, and poor-quality education. This must be acknowledged.
- What advantages will state driving schools have?
- State driving schools will create the necessary conditions for training. Modern equipment and qualified specialists are expected. We will also produce textbooks ourselves. Drivers will receive comprehensive training covering the technical aspects of vehicles and traffic rules, as well as road behavior culture. The main focus will be on the safety of citizens, not profit.
- Owners of private driving schools are unhappy with the closure of their businesses. How do you respond to this?
- We warned them in advance about the need for reforms. We said that after 2026, the issuance of licenses to private driving schools would cease. But many continued to operate as before, focusing on quick profit. We cannot leave this area under the control of irresponsible people. Nevertheless, we are ready to accept specialists who worked in private driving schools into state structures.
- Some believe that a training period of 10 months is too long.
- This opinion is spread in an attempt to preserve their business. We are conducting calculations and assure that the cost of training will not be excessive. A person who sits behind the wheel is responsible for the safety of their loved ones. Would you trust an untrained person to drive a car?
- No, I would not.
- Exactly. The life and safety of loved ones are more important than anything. Private driving schools often prioritized their interests by issuing certificates without proper training. We must ensure the safety of every citizen and their readiness to drive. A driver's license is issued once in a lifetime, so it is better to undergo longer training than to obtain a license without the necessary skills.
- Is there a plan to include driver training in the school curriculum?
- Yes, starting this September, a course on traffic rules will be introduced in schools. Children will learn traffic rules and responsibility from an early age. Starting next year, graduates will be able to take the driving test immediately without additional training, while the new state driving schools will train adults.
I urge everyone not to succumb to provocations aimed at inciting discontent. Over time, everything will stabilize, and we will be able to solve these problems.
