In a recent interview, President Sadyr Japarov spoke to the Kabar agency about the need to transition driving schools to state management. According to him, this decision is aimed at combating corruption and improving driver training. The president noted that the previous system contributed to an increase in traffic accidents and human casualties.
- Hello, Sadyr Nurgoyevich. Many are discussing the closure of private driving schools and the creation of state ones. What is the reason for this decision?
- Hello. I instructed to organize the situation in this area. Reforms have begun, as since the collapse of the Soviet Union, there have been no significant changes in driver training and vehicle registration. This sphere was under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and then the State Registration Service, but unfortunately, corruption remained constant. Regardless of changes in leadership, many of them were involved in corrupt schemes.
In the process of reforming, we started issuing state license plates, driver's licenses, and technical passports ourselves, instead of purchasing them from abroad. Despite criticism, we managed to implement this project. Now all data is in a single digital database, and we just need to resolve the issue with driving schools.
- Could the closure of private driving schools have been avoided during the reform?
- Most private driving schools showed little interest in quality driver training; their main goal was profit. People simply submitted documents, received certificates of supposedly completed training, and went to "Unaa" for their licenses without even taking exams.
Corrupt schemes operated in this system alongside "Unaa," where driver's licenses are issued. Previously, no one failed exams or practical classes, as licenses could be purchased for bribes. Now we have brought order to the State Enterprise "Unaa," and graduates of private driving schools face difficulties when taking exams, often attempting them 10-15 times without success. This is due to the fact that their training was of insufficient quality, and private schools only cared about the number of clients. Among the youth, there are many who, having licenses, do not know how to drive and say, "I'll buy a car - then I'll learn."
- Does this affect the increase in traffic accidents?
- There are many causes of accidents, and they are difficult to predict. However, I am confident that the main factors are low requirements for driver training. In Kyrgyzstan, more than 900 people die in traffic accidents every year; sometimes this number exceeds a thousand. This is a huge tragedy; even in wartime, not so many lives are lost. We are losing hundreds of people in ordinary accidents. One of the main reasons is corruption in driver training, poor-quality education, and irresponsible attitudes. We must acknowledge this.
- What are the advantages of state driving schools?
- State driving schools will create all the necessary conditions: a modern training base, new equipment, and qualified specialists. We also print textbooks ourselves. Drivers will undergo complete training, starting from the structure of the car to traffic rules and road behavior culture. The main priority will be the safety of citizens, not profit.
- Owners of private driving schools express dissatisfaction with the closure of their businesses. How do you respond to this?
- We warned them in advance about the cessation of licensing for private schools after 2026 and the need to reform this area. But many continued to operate under old schemes, preferring to quickly train in 10 days and issue certificates without caring about quality. We cannot allow such irresponsibility. Nevertheless, we will offer jobs to specialists from private schools in state driving schools.
- Some believe that a training period of 10 months is too long.
- In an attempt to save their business, they spread false information about high prices and the duration of training. In fact, the price will not be too high; calculations are currently being made. Claims of 100 or 150 thousand soms are empty words.
Every driver is responsible for the safety of their loved ones. Meder, tell me, would you trust your son or daughter to an untrained driver?
- No, I wouldn't.
- Correct, the life and safety of loved ones are more important than anything. Private driving schools prioritized their business interests over safety. We must care about the knowledge, experience, and readiness of every citizen to drive. A driver's license is issued once in a lifetime, so it's better to spend more time on training for everyone's safety. People who bought licenses cause accidents, taking lives—such cases happen daily.
- Is there a plan to include driver training in the school curriculum?
- Yes, we have already started doing this. From September of this year, a subject on traffic rules has been introduced in schools. Children will study the traffic rules and responsibility while still in school. Starting next year, graduates will be able to go directly to the exam without additional training, and if they pass, they will receive their licenses. The new state schools will train those who have already completed their schooling.
In conclusion, I want to address all citizens: do not succumb to the provocations of those who try to incite discontent for their own interests. Over time, everything will settle down and fall into place. We need time.
