How long does it take to change a driver's license?

Replacing a driver's license: when and why do you change your license?

It seems that the ten years for which a driver receives a license will last a long time. However, experience suggests that before you have time to look back, the validity period of the document has already expired. However, replacement of the device may be necessary even before the 10-year period. Under what circumstances it is necessary to replace, where to do it and in what order, we will talk in this article.

When is it necessary to replace a driver's license?

You need to contact the traffic police service if:

The license expires . It is necessary to take care of the replacement at least a month before the “overdue” date, otherwise, if stopped by road safety authorities, you will be fined for driving with an expired license.
Passport details have changed . Changing your first or last name is a reason to replace your ID. Girls who changed their data due to marriage can drive with their old license. They are considered valid provided that they are accompanied by a passport and marriage certificate. But according to current legislation, administrative or criminal liability is not provided for in this case. Difficulties with rights to a maiden name will arise if the vehicle needs to be sold or registered in your name.
The ID is lost or damaged . Mechanical damage due to which the inscriptions have become difficult to read (scratches, stains) invalidates the document.
Medical contraindications have arisen that prohibit driving a certain category of vehicle.

Important! A driver's license issued with errors in registration is also subject to replacement. For example, the full name is indicated incorrectly, the Latin transcription does not correspond to the canons, etc.

Fine for driving with an expired license

According to Article 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia, driving with an expired license faces a fine of 5-15 thousand rubles. If driving is aggravated by alcohol or drug intoxication, the following may be added to the monetary compensation:

100-200 hours of community service;
imprisonment for a period of 2 months or more.

The car is then transported to the impound lot.

A car owner who has entrusted driving the car to a driver with an expired license will have to part with an amount of up to 30,000. Amendment: the owner has the right to prove that he did not know about the violation, in which case a fine will not be issued. But proving ignorance in practice to Russian traffic police officers is a difficult task. So before you let your friends drive, it’s better to check the validity period of their driving license.

Required documents to replace a driver's license

The procedure for obtaining new rights in the Russian Federation has been simplified as much as possible. There is no need to prepare a lot of certificates and permits. To apply for an extension or replacement of a temporary residence permit, a minimum list of documents is required:

passport;
old VU (in case it is lost);
medical certificate in form No. 003-В/у;
paid receipt for state duty.

How to change your driver's license

It is possible to replace national rights:

when contacting the traffic police;
in any of the MFC branches;
using the online form of the public services portal.

International laws are also changed in the above authorities and on the website. The only difference is the expiration date. IDPs are issued for three years, while a Russian water permit is valid for 10 years.

Nice information! Regardless of where the driver's license is renewed, you do not need to retake the driving test and license.

New driver's license

Procedure for replacing a driver's license

Each method of replacing a power supply has its own advantages and disadvantages.

How to replace a driver's license through the public services portal

A method that does not require communication with government officials. The replacement is carried out online on the official website of government services. If you are a confident Internet user, this option for registering a new license will not take much time.

Replacing rights is a simple procedure

The step-by-step replacement of rights through the public services portal is as follows:

Go to the official website of government services.
Register and create a personal account.
Use the “service search” search box or go to the “popular services” section by clicking on the corresponding button.
Select the “services for individuals” section, subsection “Ministry of Internal Affairs”.
In the menu that appears, select section No. 3, sub-item “replacement of driver’s license”.
Click the “get service” button.

Next, the site will “issue” electronic forms to fill out: city, region, district of registration, application for replacement of the driver’s license. All documents must be filled out carefully and without distorting the information, so as not to perform identical actions repeatedly.

To obtain rights, you will have to upload two photos. You can pay the state fee online by debiting money from your mobile phone account, bank card, or e-wallet. You can also print out a receipt and pay it at the bank.

Replacement of a driver's license at the traffic police

To change your license at the state inspection, you need to go to the nearest office with the traditional “Kit” - an identity document, an old driver’s license, a medical certificate in the prescribed form, a receipt with the state fee paid. The application will be issued on the spot. The website gibdd.ru will help you find the nearest branch. You can also check the work schedule there.

Replacing a computer through the MFC

The optimal solution for people who do not trust online registration, but value their time. To replace rights you need three simple steps:

Collect a package of documents (passport, medical certificate, old driver's license, receipt of state duty).
Contact the multifunctional center closest to your home or work.
Fill out an application for a replacement driver's license.

Application for new licenses

Registration of documents at the MFC is free. The center will also take an electronic photo free of charge if the driver does not have a “recent” photo with him. Communication with MFC employees takes 20-40 minutes. New licenses can be ready in an hour or within 5 working days. It all depends on the number of people who want to replace the device. For example, in Moscow the wait may take 9 calendar days.

Where and how to get a medical certificate

The certificate requires the conclusions of a therapist, ophthalmologist, narcologist and psychiatrist. It is allowed to undergo a medical examination in any medical institution that has permission to issue certificates in form No. 003-B/u

Although it is not prohibited by law to undergo examination in commercial clinics, experienced drivers recommend obtaining a medical certificate from public hospitals. “State employees” usually work closely with the traffic police, they are more trusted. In addition, it is cheaper to be examined in municipal institutions. The only downside is that you may lose time waiting in line.

Timeframe for obtaining a driver's license and cost of replacement

Public services, which include the work of the traffic police department of the MFC and the public services portal, are provided free of charge. However, this does not mean that replacing the VU will be free.

The amount of the state duty for the services of replacing a driver’s license: 2,000 rubles when issuing a license on a plastic basis and 3,000 rubles for replacing the driver’s license with a new one with a built-in “identifier”.

Until 2021, Russian drivers can replace their license with a discount of up to 30%. When paying through a bank, please note that there is a commission, usually not exceeding 10% of the total amount.

State duty amounts according to Article 333.33 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation

The following categories of citizens are exempt from paying the state fee

veterans and disabled people of the Great Patriotic War;
civil service employees (senior and mid-level officials).

Other drivers can replace their driver's license only after paying the state fee. The paperwork process will not begin until you present your paid receipt.

The time frame for obtaining a new driving license depends on the category of rights:

State duty is not the only expense item.

Certificate in form No. 003-В/у is also paid. A state hospital licensed by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate will charge 1,500 rubles for issuing a medical certificate + about 3,000 rubles for an examination by a psychiatrist and narcologist. Tariffs for private owners vary, so it is impossible to calculate the exact amount. In Moscow and Kazan it differs significantly.

The 30 percent discount provided by the state for paying state fees is more relevant than ever in such a situation. Saving 600-900 rubles is not unnecessary, so if your license expires in the next year, use the services now. From January 2021, the discount will no longer apply.

Grounds for refusal to issue a driver's license

The issuance of a new driving license for the required category of vehicle may be refused. The grounds are regulated by Article 23.1 of the Federal Law “On Road Safety”.

According to the law, the driver will not receive a license in the following cases:

there are medical restrictions;
The personal file contains repeated recorded violations of traffic rules and a corresponding criminal record.

Medical contraindications to driving are diseases in which road safety is at risk. These may be low visual acuity, paralysis of the upper/lower limbs, diseases of the nervous system (in particular, the vestibular system, which causes sudden dizziness). A driver's license may be denied if the driver is hard of hearing and does not use a hearing aid.

Important! An absolute ban on replacing the ED applies to persons diagnosed with drug addiction, mental retardation or personality disorders. Such a driver is not responsible for his actions, therefore he cannot obtain a license until he is discharged from the dispensary with a statement permitting driving.

Most medical contraindications are solvable. Thus, vision can be corrected with the help of glasses and lenses, and joint diseases or missing fingers can be compensated by transferring to a vehicle with automated control.

As for convicted persons, Russian legislation does not provide grounds for refusal to issue/replace a driver’s license. Unless, of course, the person caused a car accident and is not deprived of his rights under the article. In this case, the driver's license can be restored only after the end of the period of criminal/administrative liability.

How many days before the expiration date can you change your driver's license?

Driving a vehicle without documents, as well as with an expired license, is an offense that entails penalties. To avoid problems, you need to reissue your certificate on time.

What the law says

Modern driver's licenses that citizens of the Russian Federation receive have a limited expiration date.

Thus, domestic rights, according to Federal Law No. 196, are valid for 10 years, and international documents are valid for only 3 years.

If the certificate is replaced early, in accordance with Clause 32 of Government Decree No. 1097, the period of validity of the rights issued before the expiration of the old ones will be equal to:

10 years from the date of issue, subject to the provision of a valid medical certificate;
the remaining validity of the old form in the absence of a certificate of passing a commission for the right to drive a vehicle of the specified category.

It is the medical certificate of form 003-B/u that will be the decisive factor in issuing new licenses.

How many days before the deadline to start registration and where is the best place to apply?

According to the legislation of the Russian Federation regarding the time and rules for replacing a driver’s license, today you can exchange a document at any convenient time, both before the end of the period and in the first days after, and without re-examining for knowledge of traffic rules.

A new form can be obtained within 7-10 days, but only with a medical certificate. You can apply to replace your old form:

in the MFC;
at the local traffic police department;
on the Gosuslugi portal.

In the first and second cases, the citizen submits documents in person on the agreed days and in order of priority.

You need to make an appointment with specialists in advance. To do this, you will have to visit the government office in advance and take a ticket indicating the date and time of the visit.

The entire procedure at the MFC or traffic police department takes about 1 hour and costs 2,000 rubles. If everything is in order, you can receive a new certificate on the day of application.

The simplest of all methods is to submit an application through State Services.

Any citizen of the Russian Federation who is officially registered in the system and has an active non-qualified access key to the advanced capabilities of the portal can leave a request. When filling out an electronic application, you can also receive a 30% discount on payment for services.

Deadlines for replacing a driver's license due to expiration in 2019

At the beginning of this year, I was faced with the need to replace my driver's license because it had expired. This document, like many others, has a limited validity period of only 10 years. Thus, every driver is required to change them regularly. The replacement procedure itself took me no more than 1 day. But it took me several days to prepare the documents. And in this article I will tell you what replacement periods are established for driver’s licenses, as well as how the procedure for replacing them is carried out.

Legislation

There may be several reasons for replacing a certificate, and one of these reasons is the end of its validity period. On each driver's card you can find an issue date and an expiration date. It is important to know that not in every case of replacement you can receive a certificate with a new validity period of 10 years. If you need to obtain a new document due to certain circumstances, its validity will not be extended. These include:

if lost;
when damaged;
when new information changes in the document;
when errors and inaccuracies are detected;
when a document is stolen.

In all these cases, it is necessary to submit a simplified package of documents, namely: it is not necessary to provide a medical certificate confirming the person’s health status in order to drive a vehicle. If you change your license for these reasons, be prepared to receive a duplicate of your first license with a remaining validity period.

But you can obtain a certificate with a new validity period, subject to the obligatory condition that you submit a medical certificate in the form established by law. Thus, to increase the validity period of rights, in all cases it is necessary to provide a certificate with a doctor’s opinion.

Required documents

In the general list of required papers to replace a certificate on this basis, you will need:

a document confirming your identity (in most cases a passport is used, but in its absence, another document provided for by law can be used);
previous certificate (it must be disposed of);
2 photographs measuring 3.5 by 4.5 cm, printed on matte paper (they are now taken in every traffic police department);
medical report drawn up in a strictly established form;
payment document confirming payment of the mandatory duty (2000 rubles);
application drawn up on a special form.

Also, drivers who received a license in 2013 and later are required to present a driver’s card or certificate confirming completion of mandatory training at a driving school.

Please note that you will not be required to retake the exams. This measure is taken only against violators of the law who have been deprived of their rights by a court decision. In all other cases, replacement is carried out according to a simplified scheme.

You can learn more about this from the presented video.

It is filled out on a special form in Appendix No. 1. It can be found in the public domain on legal resources, at the MFC or any traffic police department.

The filling procedure will be as follows:

We indicate the full name of the inspection to which we are sending our application.
We register our personal data. Here you will need to indicate your full name, place and date of birth, registered and actual residence address, and passport details.
In the text of the application we indicate the reason for the need to replace the certificate. You should also cross out the unnecessary “issue” option as you require a replacement.
We indicate the details of your previous rights.
We list all the documents that you attach to the application.
We set the date and sign the application.

Based on this application, your application will be considered.

Medical certificate

It is precisely because of the need to prepare this document that replacing a certificate usually takes several days. Obtaining a certificate requires passing a special commission of doctors:

narcologist;
psychiatrist;
ophthalmologist;
therapist;
neurologist;
women also need a gynecologist.

This year the list of doctors has been reduced. And now the opinion of an otorhinolaryngologist, surgeon, or dermatologist is not required. In addition to doctors, urine tests (to determine drugs in the body), blood tests (to establish the Rh factor), and an ECG of the heart are required.

All doctors now indicate their conclusion not in a special certificate, but in the personal card of the person being examined. And only the therapist prescribes the final conclusion in the certificate itself. Its shelf life is now set strictly to 1 year. In this case, the therapist can put an additional signature on the certificate, indicating that the person must undergo a medical examination annually. In this case, the certificate will be considered valid only with a valid medical certificate.

You can undergo a medical examination in a public or private clinic. The most important criterion for the legality of the certificate obtained is the presence of a license from the medical institution. If this license is not available or its validity period expires, the certificate will be invalid. Therefore, when choosing an institution, be sure to pay attention to this.

The procedure for replacing rights will depend on the method of submitting documents. They can be sent in several ways:

directly through the traffic police (you can contact any branch in Russia, regardless of your place of residence);
in the MFC (these centers work as intermediaries, so they do not carry out replacements on their own, but only serve as a center for transferring documents);
through State Services (the application process will take you 10 minutes, but then you will have to appear on the day and time of your choice to receive the document).

The fastest option of the above is to file an application with the traffic police. Because you will receive your license immediately on the same day after receiving the required documents. But the problem may arise that there are a lot of people who want to apply for various types of documents at the traffic police, so you can wait your turn all day.

I recommend using the State Services service. This makes submitting documents much easier. You can fill out an application at any convenient time and choose a convenient date to visit the traffic police. This service gives you a choice:

the traffic police department itself;
dates of his visit;
the time of his visit.

So you don't have to wait in line. You will arrive at the appointed time and receive your license.

Registration of rights through the MFC will take the longest period of time. This is due to the fact that the center will need several days to transfer your documents to the traffic police, and then a new certificate from them to the center. The total processing time for documents will be approximately 5-7 days. But if you are not in a hurry, you can use this option.

However, remember that driving a vehicle with an expired document, as well as without one, is punishable by a fine. And its size varies from 5 to 15 thousand rubles. Therefore, it’s not worth the risk, and it’s better to replace your ID on time.

I recommend that you use this option, as it saves not only time, but also money. This year, all service users are provided with a 30% discount when paying state fees. Thus, you will have to pay not the required 2000 rubles, but only 1400 rubles.

To replace your ID, you will need to complete full registration on the website with confirmation of your passport data. The next procedure will be as follows:

Log in to the site using your username and password . If you accidentally forget your password, you can easily recover it by using the special button. You always use your phone number or SNILS as your login.
Let's move on to finding the required service . This is easy to do using the search bar. There we need to enter the service we need. You can also search by department or by life situation. But the search bar will find you the service you are looking for much faster.
We choose to replace the ID due to its expiration . You will see information about the cost and timing of its provision, as well as the necessary documents.
After reading all the information provided, we proceed to receiving the service. To do this, click on the corresponding button on the right side.
We begin to fill out the electronic application form that opened in front of you. If you have previously received certain types of electronic services, the site will automatically fill in the saved information. You will need to check them and also indicate what was left blank.
Select the desired department. The next available date and time will depend on it. If you need to get service as soon as possible, you can view all the active branches that are available to you in a given region. Based on the selected branch, available dates and times will vary.
We send the completed application . It will be checked by staff and registered within 1-2 days, depending on the day and time it was submitted.
We receive a notification that your application has been successfully accepted . It comes to your personal account on the website. If the application has any deficiencies and corrections are required, this will be indicated in the notification.
After successfully submitting your application, you will be able to pay the fee. Therefore, we pay for it on the website with the discount provided . It is entered automatically by the site, so you don’t have to do anything yourself. We choose only a convenient payment method for you. Here you can pay not only by card or bank account, but also by electronic money, as well as funds from your mobile operator account.
We save the received electronic receipt . It is advisable to print it out.
We arrive at the appointed time and receive a new ID.

You need to appear at the traffic police office with the originals of all documents. You must also have your license photograph taken. You will not have to pay extra for this service, as it is included in the cost of the paid fee.

Remember that after replacing the ID, it will have new details, and they are required to be prescribed in the insurance policy. Therefore, you must inform the insurance company about these changes so that your OSAGO and CASCO policies, if available, will be changed. This is not difficult to do; you just need to send a written notification by email, a regular letter with a notification by mail, or come to the insurer’s office in person. They should make the changes free of charge and issue you a new policy.

Also, many websites of insurance companies provide the opportunity to send this notification through a special service. Then you can independently print a new electronic policy with the changed data.

When submitting information about replacing your ID, you will need to submit the following documents to the insurer:

application drawn up in free form or on the organization’s letterhead;
personal passport or any other document proving your identity;
STS, or you can provide the PTS of the vehicle that is insured;
OSAGO policy , it will be confiscated from you, and you will be given a new document;
new VU with new details.

You have no right to refuse payment of compensation due to late notification of a change of identity card. But it is still better to notify the insurer immediately so that you do not have problems with timely payment of compensation in case of an accident.

Replacement of a driver's license due to expiration

A driver's license is the main document of any driver. Thanks to it, a citizen receives the right to drive a particular vehicle in accordance with the open category.

Therefore, it is very important to follow the procedure for replacing a driver’s license at the traffic police due to expiration, otherwise problems with the law may arise.

The procedure for replacing a driver's license is quite simple, so there is no need to hesitate or put it off.

You can change your license to a new one after 10 years at any traffic police department, regardless of whether the citizen has a permanent or temporary registration, or is located at the place of his actual location, in the absence of any registration.

When should the device be replaced?

The validity period of the license is indicated on the driver’s license, and it is 10 years from the date of issue of the document. As soon as the last day of validity of the driver’s license arrives, it is necessary to collect documents and replace them the next day. For example, the expiration date of your license is 09/25/2019, so on 09/25/2019 you collect documents, and on 09/26/2019 you already go to change your driver’s license.

However, the new law on renewing an expired driver's license does not regulate the timing of the replacement of the license after expiration. In other words, you can replace them in at least six months.

A medical certificate for a replacement document can be obtained a few days earlier before submitting an application for a replacement driver’s license.

Also, there are situations when, in the event of the occurrence of one or another event, rights can be canceled ahead of schedule:

The driver’s personal data has been changed;

The ID has become worn out, spoiled or damaged;

If the documents on the basis of which the rights were issued are found to be forged or issued with violations;

If a statement of loss or theft has been received;

If medical contraindications are detected that were not previously identified during a medical examination;

Obtaining a new certificate, in which case the replaced one will be cancelled;

However, it is worth remembering that if your driver’s license has expired, there is no automatic renewal of your driving license.

Sign up on the official website of the traffic police to exchange a driver's license

Today, it is impossible to make an appointment on the official website of the traffic police to exchange driving licenses. The State Traffic Inspectorate accepts electronic applications only when submitted through the State Services electronic portal.

But, you can get acquainted with useful and relevant information regarding the situation on the road, rules for registering an accident, transporting children and much more that any driver should know.

Is it possible to change a driver's license in another region?

According to the amendments that were made to the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated October 24, 2014 No. 1097, you can apply for a replacement license at any branch of the country.

Conducting examinations for persons permanently residing in the Russian Federation, issuing Russian national and international driver's licenses and exchanging foreign driver's licenses are carried out in the departments of the State Traffic Inspectorate at the place of application of these persons.
Conducting examinations for persons temporarily residing or temporarily staying on the territory of the Russian Federation, issuing Russian national and international driver's licenses and exchanging foreign driver's licenses are carried out in departments of the State Traffic Inspectorate located within the constituent entity of the Russian Federation in which these persons temporarily reside or are temporarily staying.

Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 24, 2014 No. 1097

At the same time, re-registration of a driver's license in another region does not require you to have permanent registration; the replacement will be carried out even without registration. This is due to the unified traffic police database, which shows where licenses and other necessary information were previously obtained. Detailed article about obtaining and replacing rights in another region.

How long does the procedure for replacing a driver's license at the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate take?

The most important thing when your driver’s license expires is not to drive a vehicle, otherwise, if you are stopped by an inspector with an invalid license, the violation will be classified as driving without a license.

The main rule when replacing a driver's license is the promptness of its owner. The more active it is, the faster the replacement will take place.

To issue a medical certificate takes 3-4 hours, sometimes it can take 1 day, depending on the queue.

Prepare documents – 10 minutes.

Go to the traffic police and submit an application - depending on the queue.

Making new licenses takes no more than 1 hour.

Replacement times can be reduced. To do this, as soon as you pass the medical examination, immediately fill out an application on the State Services (you can use a smartphone) and select a date for the same day.

Much depends on how quickly you pass the medical examination. Therefore, we advise you not to hesitate and come to the medical organization early.

When applying for a replacement license at the MFC, the time frame may increase to 5 days. But here you will have to visit the center twice to submit documents, and then to receive a new certificate.

Replacing a driver's license with a new one without the old license

Replacing a driver's license with a new license without the certificate itself can be done only in two situations:

When it is stolen.

In both cases, you need to contact the traffic police department and write a corresponding statement.

When replacing rights in case of loss or theft, the previous validity period will be indicated. For example, if the lost license was valid from 10/15/2010 to 10/15/2020, then the period for the new license will be exactly the same.

And the list of documents in this case is reduced to three:

We can provide you with a medical certificate upon request. But when replacing rights after expiration, a certificate will have to be provided.

Payment for replacement of rights

Many people are very concerned about the question of how to pay for the exchange of rights and how much it will cost.

What to do if you are too late to replace your driver's license?

How many people check the expiration date of their driver's license every month? There are situations when, looking at your ID, you discover that it is overdue. In this case, another question arises: how much time is given to replace a driver’s license after 10 years? There are many different nuances here.

There is no deadline for replacing a document. If you rarely use a car or other vehicle, then the replacement can be done at any convenient time. The most important thing is that when you see that your license has expired, you cannot drive until you have a new license.

If the period has expired and you are stopped by an inspector, you will be issued a fine, as well as the detention of the vehicle and the removal of the driver from driving.

Replacing a driver's license that has expired for more than 12 months will not entail any fine, the main thing is not to drive.

It turns out that you need to check your license at least once every 3-4 months or keep in mind the approximate expiration date of your license. Otherwise, it can lead to big problems.

What happens to driving a car with an expired license?

If you drive a vehicle with an expired license, you risk getting into big problems.

According to Part 1 of Article 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, you will be issued a fine.

Driving a vehicle by a driver who does not have the right to drive a vehicle (except for training driving) entails an administrative fine in the amount of five thousand to fifteen thousand rubles.

Part 1 of Article 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

In addition, on the basis of Part 1 of Article 27.12 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and Part 1 of Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, you will be suspended from driving the vehicle, and the vehicle itself will be detained until the reasons are eliminated.

The latter penalties can be avoided if there is a passenger with a valid license next to you. In this case, he will be able to drive the car to your home, and you will not have to spend money on paying for a parking lot.

If you want to study the Code of Administrative Offenses yourself, here is a link to the article about the fine.

Question answer

If you are an active driver, then you urgently need to exchange your license for a new one.

If you notice that the validity period is expiring, you can prepare documents. On the day the license becomes invalid, you can apply for a replacement. There is no point in exchanging your ID before this date.

No. All open categories are transferred from the old identity to the new one.

If you have a new type of driver's license, then additional categories will not open. If you have an old-style license obtained before 2014, then when replacing them, category M will be opened.

According to paragraph 30 of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 24, 2014 No. 1097, you do not need a driver’s card. But just in case, it’s worth taking it with you.

Every 10 years from the date of issue of the certificate.

From passing a medical examination and collecting the necessary documents. Next, you should submit an application through State Services or personally visit the traffic police department.

Change your ID - online registration

Documents for replacing the driver's license

Application for replacement of VU

Help in replacing the device

Passing the exam when replacing a license by deadline

Fine for expired driver's license

Replacing the device before the deadline

Replacement of compulsory motor liability insurance and restoration of the KMB when changing the driver's license

Is it possible to change the rights to new ones before the expiration date and for how much?

Replacing rights earlier

A driver's license is issued for exactly 10 years, after which you are required to change it. But sometimes this has to be done sooner - in case of loss, destruction or theft of old rights. For how long in this case will new ones be issued in 2019? We will answer these questions in order in the article.

Is it possible to exchange rights for new ones before the expiration date?

Yes. And this does not require any justification. However, in practice, it is not uncommon for the traffic police MREO to refuse a replacement with the motivation “ your old ones have not expired and are normal .” This is illegal because, according to the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as “ RF PP ”) No. 1097:

29. The issuance of a Russian national driver's license to replace a previously issued Russian national driver's license is carried out in the following cases:
.
f) upon the will of the applicant before the expiration of the driver’s license .

Thus, you can change rights to new ones at any time:

when replacing rights ahead of schedule in case of loss,
in case of damage or loss,
in case of theft,
just if you want to change them.

The latter may also have its reasons for the car enthusiast. For example, it seemed to you that the traffic police officers put a mark on your license, or you simply don’t like the photo, you have changed a lot in appearance, and the traffic police officers who stop you on the road do not believe that it is you in the photo and your rights. And a large number of similar examples.

Duration of new rights

So, we found out that rights in 2019 can be exchanged for new ones at any time before expiration. But there is an important subtlety. Although you can change your driver's license ahead of time, the new license issued will be valid exactly until the date until which the old one was valid. And to avoid this misunderstanding, you will have to undergo a medical examination and obtain a medical certificate. This process is not easy, but as a result of successfully obtaining a medical certificate, you will be given a new license for a new 10 years. This is prescribed by paragraph 32 of the RF PP No. 1097:

32. In the case of issuing 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 "f" of paragraph 29 of these Rules, the previously established validity period of the driver's license does not change.

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.

If you present a certificate to the traffic police stating that there are no contraindications to driving a car, you can replace your license in the event of its loss, damage, theft, and so on. They cannot be extended for a new 10 years for only one reason: if there are contraindications to driving a car (subparagraph “e” not mentioned in the quote above).

Thus, if you replace your license before the expiration of its 10-year validity period, you will be given a new license for a new 10 years upon presentation of a medical certificate and with the same period as the old ones, if you do not provide such a certificate.

At the same time, if someone convinces you of different information, then the rules for replacing rights have changed quite recently - until March 23, 2017, the period for replacing rights was regulated for six months. And after the above, paragraph 32 of the RF PP No. 1097 was supplemented with the paragraph quoted above, which is valid for 2019.

About the medical certificate

If you already have it - you have done it before, then keep in mind that according to the new rules it is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. If the medical certificate is more than a year old, then you will be given a new license instead of the old one for the same period, and not for the current 10 years.

Will I need to take an exam?

No. Replacing a driver's license ahead of schedule does not oblige the driver to take a theoretical exam on knowledge of traffic rules. For 2019, this needs to be done only in 2 cases:

What is needed to replace rights before the expiration date?

To do this you will need a standard set of documents:

Your general passport,
old driver's license (if available),
an application to replace rights with new ones indicating the basis (expression of will is also a basis),
medical certificate, if you need to get a new license with a new period of 10 years,
receipt of payment of state duty - 2,000 rubles (if paid through State Services - 1,400 rubles) for new rights.

It is better to submit the application through the State Services in the appropriate replacement service. This way you can get a discount (when paying online through the website), as well as the ability to choose the time of visiting the MREO traffic police department without queuing.

Car owners also have the opportunity to replace their vehicle through multifunctional centers (MFC). But you will need to apply there in person.