Director of one of the driving schools, Bektur Karymbaev, reported that the State Center for Vehicle Registration and Driver Licensing recommended in its letter that all driving schools in the country refrain from enrolling new students for driver training starting in 2026.
He emphasized that all driving schools support the president's initiative but request a delay in the introduction of the new regulations until September and a transition to a 14-month training period. Karymbaev noted that the changes mandated by the new regulations require significant refinement and expressed a desire to be included in the group developing these norms to ensure they do not contradict existing licensing regulations and timelines.
According to Karymbaev, extending the training periods will lead to an increase in prices. Currently, the average cost of training in Bishkek is 25,000 soms for category "B" and about 30,000 soms for categories "B" and "C." Next year, as he noted, the cost of training for citizens will be significantly higher: 135,000 soms for category "B" and 190,000 soms for category "C."
On behalf of the driving schools, Karymbaev reiterated the request for a phased implementation of the new regulations starting September 1.
Association representatives also noted that there are 346 licensed driving schools operating in the country.
Earlier, the Ministry of Education put a draft order regarding the approval of the State Educational Standard for the profession of "Driver of Vehicles of Categories 'B' and 'C'" up for public discussion. This document was developed in accordance with the laws "On Education," "On Road Traffic," "On Road Transport," and government resolution No. 819 dated December 18, 2017.
The project aims to establish minimum requirements for the structure, content, and conditions for implementing educational programs for driver training. The new standard is intended to ensure a unified approach to training in vocational education organizations, regardless of ownership forms and departmental affiliation.
