Dayirbek Orunbekov, head of the information policy service of the President's Administration of Kyrgyzstan, revealed details about the upcoming changes in the driver training timeline on his social media page. He explained that the ten-month training course is a necessary step to enhance road safety, rather than just a requirement from the authorities.
“People keep asking the question: 'Why exactly 10 months?' The answer lies in the fact that this timeframe is established to improve the quality of driver training. A qualified driver does not pose a danger to themselves, passengers, or others. Every year, hundreds of people die because of those who obtain licenses without knowing the rules,” he noted.
Orunbekov emphasized that the state does not seek to complicate life for citizens, but rather cares about preserving their lives. He also elaborated on how the training will be organized to dispel myths about its complexity.
“Currently, work is underway to create convenient conditions for training. The ten months include theoretical and practical classes. Many assume that classes will be held daily. In fact, they will take place 2–3 times a week for 2–3 hours. Moreover, online training will be available for those interested,” he added.
The head of the service also commented on the criticism of the old system, which provided only 2.5 months of training. He believes that it is impossible to master all the necessary knowledge, including driving psychology, in such a short time.
“Driving is not just the ability to operate a vehicle. Those who underwent training for two and a half months are often unfamiliar with the rules. In the new program, we have added psychological training and ethics. Every day we witness conflicts and aggression on the roads, which is linked to a lack of patience and culture. Now we will teach basic rules and etiquette,” said Orunbekov.
As an example, he cited the experience of other countries where obtaining a driver's license is a serious and lengthy process:
Finland: Training can take up to 12 months. The driver receives a temporary license for 2 years, and if they do not violate the rules during this period, they receive a permanent license. Otherwise, they must retake the training.
Germany, Sweden, Norway: Training takes from 8 to 12 months.
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and some states in the USA: Obtaining a full license requires from 1.5 to 2 years.
“In these countries, the culture of road conflicts is virtually absent. In our case, the culture of mutual respect and solidarity has not yet formed. We must honestly acknowledge this. Will we continue to fight on the roads, or can we change the situation?” Orunbekov questioned.
He also presented alarming statistics on road fatalities in Kyrgyzstan as a key argument in support of the reform.
“In 2025, there were 8,456 traffic accidents, resulting in 900 deaths and 12,169 injuries. Over the past 10 years, these figures are shocking: 75,063 accidents, 9,120 fatalities, and 113,260 injuries. Kyrgyzstan ranks among the leaders in traffic fatality rates. Will we learn from this tragedy or continue to ignore the problem?” he emphasized.
In conclusion of his address, Orunbekov noted that strict measures are an attempt to combat the consequences of the corrupt system of the past. He also shared video material showing drivers who do not know the traffic rules and cannot even remember which driving school they attended.
“I am not publishing this to humiliate anyone. These people reflect the corrupt schemes of the past. All our efforts are directed towards one goal — your well-being and the preservation of your lives,” he concluded.
