During the conversation, he pointed out alarming statistics: over the past ten years, there have been 75,000 traffic accidents in the country, claiming the lives of 9,120 people.
“This is about a thousand lives each year. More than 113,000 people have been injured, half of whom have become disabled. The state is forced to pay them benefits,” he noted.
The president emphasized that in 2025, 724,000 people underwent training in auto schools, but only 100,000 were able to pass the exams.
“How can we claim that private auto schools are teaching? Only 14% passed, whereas previously the pass rate reached 95% only due to corruption. Those who did not pay did not pass,” he added.According to Japarov, there are 275 auto schools operating in the country, many of which resolved their issues through corrupt means. In the past, there was a “turnkey” service, where licenses were issued for $1,000. Even today, one can encounter drivers with purchased or fake licenses on the roads. “We are implementing new driver’s licenses that cannot be forged,” the president assured.
Sadyr Japarov recalled his personal tragedy: his younger brother and his wife died in a traffic accident involving a drunk driver. A “Muscovite” crashed into their car, and the vehicle rolled over several times. Four children were injured but, fortunately, survived. Also, in 2019, my eldest son died when he possibly turned onto a double solid line due to ignorance of the rules and collided with another vehicle. Thousands of families experience similar losses. “Study well; this will help avoid tragedies,” he urged the cadets.
The president also posed the question: what is preferable — to study for 3.5 months for 48,000 soms and take a year to pass the exams, or to undergo 10 months of training for 19,000 and pass the exam immediately?
“Some cannot pass the exam for years, spending 2.5-3 months on training. Therefore, I ask you not to consider 10 months too long. I have heard and seen this myself, and that is why I am here. Some blame ‘Unaa’ and Tumanbaev. But in public service, there are different categories of people: some can speak beautifully but are unable to do the work, while others may speak little but do everything 100% and even more. I am talking about Tumanbaev,” he said, pointing to him. “All of this is done for the future of our country; do not oppose it. There is no need to protect the interests of individuals who opened auto schools solely for business,” the president emphasized.
He added that in some countries, such as the USA and Canada, training can last up to two years.
“In the 70s, I trained for categories B and C in DOSAAF. The training lasted 6 months, and we studied every day, learning about car components: starters, radiators, batteries. I hope you will also be well prepared,” Japarov concluded.
