President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, in his interview with the news agency "Kabar," spoke about the decision to transfer the management of driving schools to the state. This step was taken with the aim of combating corruption and improving the quality of driver training. Japarov emphasized that the previous system contributed to an increase in the number of accidents and deaths on the roads.
“I have instructed to bring order to this area. Reforms have already begun. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, there have been no significant changes in the field of driver training and vehicle registration. Previously, this system was under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and later — the Registration Service. But, unfortunately, regardless of who manages this area, corruption remains at a high level. Leaders change, but most of them turn out to be involved in corruption schemes,” the president noted.
“We have started the reform, and now state numbers, driver's licenses, and technical passports are issued by us. Previously, we purchased these documents abroad. There were even critics who claimed that we could not afford this, but we did it. Now all information is stored in a single database, and the system is fully digitized. A huge amount of work has already been done, and now we need to focus on driving schools,” he added.
— Is it possible to reform private driving schools without closing them?
— As a rule, private driving schools did not set the goal of quality driver training. Their main objective was profit. People submitted documents, received certificates of completion, and then went to "Unaa" for driver's licenses, even without taking the exam.
Here, corruption operated in conjunction with the state structure "Unaa," which issued licenses. Now we have brought order to this institution, and graduates of private driving schools are forced to fail the exams several times. Some of them went through 10-15 attempts without passing even once. Why? Because they did not receive the proper education and training, and private driving schools were only interested in the number of clients. Today, among us, there are many young people who have licenses but do not know how to drive, and they say, “I will learn when I buy a car.”
The president noted that in Kyrgyzstan, more than 900 people die in traffic accidents every year, and in some years this number exceeds a thousand. “This is a terrible tragedy. Even in wartime, so many people do not die. We lose hundreds of people just on the roads. Corruption in the driver training system, issuing licenses, low quality of education, and irresponsible attitudes are the main factors behind these accidents. We must acknowledge these facts,” he added.
— What are the advantages of state driving schools?
— State driving schools have created all the necessary conditions. There is a modern training base, new equipment, and qualified instructors. We print our own textbooks. Drivers undergo comprehensive training not only in driving but also in the structure of the vehicle, traffic rules, and, most importantly, road safety. The main priority is human life, not profit. The safety of citizens is paramount for the state.
— Owners of private driving schools complain that “our business is closing.” What would you say to them?
— We warned them in advance. We informed them that after 2026, the licenses of private driving schools would be suspended, and reforms needed to be carried out. Nevertheless, many continued to operate as usual. It was profitable for them to conduct 10-day courses and issue certificates only when necessary, as the money went into their pockets, while the responsibility for training was pushed to the background. We cannot leave this area with such an irresponsible approach. However, we will not leave the employees of private driving schools without work and will offer them vacancies in state driving schools.
— There are also complaints about the duration of training; some believe that 10 months is too long.
— They spread various rumors trying to save their business. They claim that it will be expensive, and 10 months is too long. But the training will be reasonably priced. Information about costs of 100-150 thousand is a fabrication. A person who sits behind the wheel is responsible for the lives of their loved ones. Would you trust someone who cannot drive to manage a vehicle?
— No, I would not do that.
— Do you understand how important the safety of your loved ones is? Private driving schools, putting their commercial interests above all, issue certificates without real training. For us, the safety of every citizen, the knowledge and experience they gain behind the wheel, is important. A person receives a driver's license only once in their life, so it is better to study a little longer. This will help protect not only your passengers but also other road users. Every day, incidents occur where people who bought a license become the cause of accidents that take lives.
— Is it possible to include driving lessons in the school curriculum?
— Starting this September, lessons on traffic rules will be included in the school curriculum. Our boys and girls will learn these rules and their responsibilities already in school. From this year, graduates will take exams without prior training and, if successful, receive driver's licenses. In the newly opened state schools, those who have already graduated from school will be trained and issued licenses.
Thus, I urge the public: do not succumb to provocations and do not allow yourselves to be used for selfish interests. Time will set everything in its place.
