Government decisions sometimes provoke discontent and disputes, but over time they become the norm. One such case is the reform of driver's licenses initiated by Sadyr Japarov, who has finally shifted the focus from the convenience of obtaining licenses to the importance of public safety. His position is clear: driving a car is not just a formality, but a serious responsibility for people's lives.
Previously, the process of driver training was perceived as a formal procedure, where driving schools operated, exams were taken, and licenses were issued. Although the system was functioning, the quality of training remained questionable. Corruption, weak oversight, and the practice of purchasing licenses led to unqualified drivers taking to the roads, unaware of traffic rules and unprepared for complex situations.
The tightening of exams revealed real problems: many candidates were unable to demonstrate even basic skills. This became an important argument in favor of reforms — it is not about the requirements, but about the actual level of driver training.
The president emphasized that a driver is responsible not only for themselves but also for the safety of other road users. Therefore, training must be comprehensive, and exams must be objective, so that access to driving a car is deserved. This is not about creating artificial barriers, but about fostering a culture of responsibility and respect for life.
The reform affects not only exams but also the renewal of driver's licenses, which is a continuation of efforts to restore order. New licenses are harder to forge, they comply with international standards, and simplify use abroad, which increases trust in government documents.
Yes, the new requirements may increase the time for training and lead to additional costs. For many, this is inconvenient, but the price of a formal approach is measured not in money and time, but in human lives.
Interestingly, even countries with developed transport systems recognize similar problems. In the USA, authorities have begun a large-scale reform of commercial driver training after serious violations in truck driver training were revealed.
During inspections, "CDL factories" were discovered — training centers that issued certificates without proper training. Some of them lacked the necessary equipment, training programs, and qualified instructors. Licenses could be obtained for money, bypassing actual training.
Additional risks arose from the formal approach to exams. In some states, testing was handed over to private examiners, and oversight of their work proved insufficient, allowing drivers without the necessary skills to obtain commercial licenses, which increased the risk of accidents.
The response to these problems has been systemic: unscrupulous educational institutions are being closed, and control and training standards are being tightened. There is increased oversight of drivers' working and resting hours, as fatigue behind the wheel of heavy vehicles affects accident rates.
Significant attention is paid to drivers' ability to understand road signs and safety requirements, which is related to accident prevention and saving lives.
Despite the differences in the scale and specifics of reforms in Kyrgyzstan and the USA — the former concerns basic training, while the latter focuses on commercial transport — the logic of the changes is similar: safety cannot be based on formalities.
States are increasingly resolute in refusing to tolerate fictitious training and unprepared drivers. Responsibility is becoming the main requirement, and the quality of training is the foundation of road safety.
Although such changes rarely receive support at the time of implementation, experience shows: order on the roads begins not with cameras and fines, but with high-quality driver training and their level of responsibility.
Over time, society begins to perceive these reforms not as restrictions but as protection. Every driver, when taking to the road, hopes to return home alive and has the right to expect that prepared and responsible drivers are nearby.
The era when licenses could simply be bought is gradually fading into the past, giving way to a culture of training and respect for life.
Thus, the chosen course is not a temporary action or an attempt to complicate life for citizens, but a sign of the maturity of the state and society, where human safety becomes the main priority, and human life is the highest value.
