Replacement of rights no earlier than six months before expiration - is this true?
No. The most widespread information on the Internet is replete with this particular period - supposedly, a license can be exchanged only six months before the expiration of the 10-year validity period. And that's not true. But where did this myth come from?! Let's explain!
Several years ago, the question of how sooner you can change your driver’s license was not regulated by any legal act. But everything changed on March 23, 2021, when this rule was regulated by amendments to PPRF No. 1097 “On admission to driving a vehicle.” And since before this the period for replacing licenses in advance before their expiration was not regulated, the traffic police established their own rules, and most often it was about the fact that you can exchange a driver’s license only six months before the end of their validity.
Reasons for replacing a document
The main reason for assigning a new license is the expiration of the ten-year validity period of the old license. It will not be possible to use expired documents; the fine for the first violation is from 5 to 15 thousand rubles.
The law provides for a number of other reasons due to which rights will have to be changed before the deadline:
- Change of personal data (last name, first name and patronymic);
- Loss or physical damage of documents;
- Changes in the driver's health;
- Changing driving category;
- Issuance of a new certificate.
The car owner can also order the production of an international driver's license. They are issued as an addition to the main documents and are valid for up to three years. According to new additions to the law dated July 1, 2021, all foreigners in Russia are required to obtain Russian documents.
How long before the end can I change my license in 2021?
Today, motorists have the right to replace their driver’s license for any period before the end of their validity, at least six months, at least a year, at least 5 years, but there are 2 subtleties.
As we noted above, changes have been made to Government Decree No. 1097. They are established by another PPRF - number 326, and it is in it that paragraph 32 of the first document is replaced, in which it became regulated that drivers can change their license plate at any time, but with a big nuance - more precisely, two:
- if you simply contact the MREO of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate or the MFC to exchange your licenses before their expiration date without any documents (except for a passport and old licenses), then you will be given new ones for exactly the same period as the old ones were valid - that is, it will just be an update plastic driver's document,
- If, when replacing your license, you present a valid (not expired) medical certificate, then you will be issued a new license for a new period of 10 years.
The above is regulated by the same paragraph 32 of the regulations:
If the applicant submits a medical report, a Russian national driver's license to replace a previously issued Russian national driver's license on the grounds established by subparagraphs "b" - "d" and "e" of paragraph 29 of these Rules is issued for 10 years, unless otherwise provided by federal laws.
And these 2 conditions, in the presence or absence of a medical certificate, are relevant for replacing a driver’s license on the following grounds:
- if your full name or other data specified in your license has changed,
- if you have lost your old driver's license,
- if the device has deteriorated (got wet, rubbed, torn, etc.),
- if you contacted government agencies simply to replace this document without any reason.
Thus, you can change your license ahead of schedule at any time, but in order for a new driver’s license to be issued to you for a new 10 years, you must provide a medical certificate.
Validity
The standard validity period for a driver's license is 10 years. It is important to remember the exact date of the next replacement: the inspector has the authority to issue a fine for driving a car without a license on the day when the validity of the old driver's license expires. But you shouldn’t re-register the document in advance either. It is impossible to do this a month before the expiration of the old certificate according to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1097 (2014).
Expert opinion
Artemyev Dmitry
Experience as a forensic expert in the field of automotive technical examination for more than 2 years, more than 3 years of work in the field of insurance disputes, appealing guilt in road accidents.
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If a Russian, in addition to his national driving license, has an international driving license, they should be replaced every 3 years, but in fact this period is shorter. An international diploma is issued on the basis of a national one. If a driver replaces a Russian license, then the international one becomes invalid.
Obtaining new rights is required not only when the exchange of driver's license is overdue.
A new document must be issued in the following cases:
- the ID has become unreadable due to wear or damage;
- your health status has changed (restrictions on driving have either been removed or, conversely, have appeared);
- change of surname, driver's name;
- loss or theft of a document.
In these cases, the document should be replaced as soon as possible.
From the video you will learn how long you can drive with an expired license:
Important! Experienced car owners are advised to re-register their license a few days before the end of its validity period. This refers to the beginning of collecting documents.
About the medical certificate
This is the most labor-intensive and time-consuming thing you will need to do when replacing your driver's license. It is advisable to allocate at least half of your working day for this.
A medical certificate can be obtained anywhere, not necessarily at the registration address, but the medical institution must be licensed for this. But there is also a possible problem in this matter - the traffic police may not accept a certificate if the drug addiction specialist and psychiatrist-narcologist were not examined at the registration address or in a commercial institution.
Procedure for replacing old rights
At the moment, you can replace your driver’s license in a couple of clicks, avoiding long queues and even getting a discount. Previously, this procedure took some time, and for this period the driver was issued a temporary document. Now in just 1.5 hours you can get a permanent driver’s license, the main thing is to prepare all the certificates, applications and pay the state fee on time.
Do I need to take an exam?
The theoretical part of the exam regarding knowledge of traffic rules must be passed if the acquisition of a license occurs after their forced deprivation as an administrative punishment. For example, when driving while intoxicated.
In other cases, a repeated knowledge test is not necessary.
Where can I make a replacement?
To facilitate and speed up the exchange procedure, it can be done in three different ways:
- in the multifunctional center (MFC) of your region. To find out where the nearest center is located, you can visit the website and select the most convenient office. Preparation of documents will take up to 7-10 days, since they will still be sent to the traffic police;
- online. The procedure is carried out through the State Services portal. To do this, you need to create your own account on the website, log in and pay the state fee. Interestingly, the Internet portal provides a 30% discount on this service, which will cost 1,400 instead of 2,000 rubles.
Payment can be made through a bank card, Webmoney or mobile operator. Next, the most convenient location of the traffic police department is selected, and it contains the date and time for the appointment. Conveniently, you will no longer need to write an application on the spot, since it will be filled out electronically when submitting an application;
Replacing a driver's license on the State Services portal - at the traffic police department. You need to select the nearest unit and visit it to get a ticket with the appointment time. It's better not to be late, as you might miss your turn. At the appointed time, you should come to the office with a package of documents and after 1.5 hours you can leave with new rights.
Required documents
The package of papers that must be provided to replace the driver's license may differ depending on the division of the State Traffic Inspectorate. The standard list looks like this:
- Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation.
- Receipt with payment of state duty in the amount of 2000 rubles.
- Medical report from the necessary specialists.
- An old sample that has expired.
- Certificate from place of residence or temporary registration.
- Photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm, matte. It is better to do it in advance, as it is necessary that it meets the standard.
- Statement.
How to replace?
The instructions for replacing rights before the expiration date are no different from the standard ones - if the license period had already expired.
You can sign up for the exchange of a driver's document through State Services. To do this, go to the appropriate service, click the “Get service” button (you must be logged in to your account) and fill out all fields of the form.
Next, you can pay the state fee for replacing your license directly through the portal. In this case, a discount will be provided. Thus, it will cost you to exchange your rights:
- 2000 rubles when paying by any method, except for State Services,
- 1400 rubles when paying through GU online.
About categories of rights
Of course, in the new license that you decided to replace before the expiration date, you will have the same categories to which you are admitted by the right to drive, which were in the old license, but only on the condition that during the medical examination and receipt certificates did not reveal contraindications to the management of certain (or all categories).
If you have studied for a new category
In this case, when undergoing a medical examination, it is imperative to ask to check these new categories and undergo appropriate additional examinations, if necessary, on the direction of a doctor.
And when you contact the traffic police to change your driver’s license before the expiration date, take with you, among other documents, a certificate of completion of courses for new categories.
Do I need to retake the exam?
No. Despite attempts by legislators to introduce a mandatory re-examination when replacing a license due to the expiration of a 10-year period, as of May 22, 2021, this rule has not yet been introduced, and drivers have the right to obtain a new license ahead of time or after its expiration without passing the exam.
However, there is common sense in replacing licenses right now, even if they have not expired, since the draft law on the traffic rules exam is under consideration.
There are no other reasons for exchanging your driver's license earlier than the deadline.
Where to contact?
Replacing expired licenses in 2021 is available not only at traffic police departments. Starting from 2021, the procedure is carried out in any MFC, and not just at the place of residence of the car owner. Federal cities also offer wider opportunities. Muscovites can apply for re-registration of rights in “My Documents” at their place of residence.
For all Russian citizens there are 3 options:
- Traffic police department. Any convenient, not necessarily at the place of registration.
- Any MFC. The production time for the certificate may be delayed - documents are sent from the center to the traffic police and back.
- State Services Portal. An online application is completed. You can change your license at any traffic police department indicated by the driver. Payment of the fee is made on the website. Once the money is received, the application is processed.
Important! Russians can apply for a new residence permit to replace an expired residence permit in any city, regardless of registration.
