Bishkek, Nov. 10, 2025. /Kabar/. In his address, President Sadyr Zhaparov paid special attention to road safety and reform of the driver's license system.
"After the collapse of the Soviet Union, no one really took driving tests; licenses were obtained randomly. Today, 90 percent of those who have a license bought one.
This is bitter truth. I can prove it by 100 percent. Now, if you stop most drivers on the street and don't even ask them about the rules of the road, but simply ask them what kind of engine, transmission, radiator, battery, or starter they have, they won't be able to answer or show you.
If you ask them what kind of engine, many will show you the radiator and be confused.
So let's think about the future generation now. Let's get this area in order. Because drivers don't know the rules or don't follow them, there are many traffic accidents today. Below are some statistics. From 2014 to 2020, the number of people killed in road accidents was 6,159.
From 2021 to the present, the number has dropped to 3,818. It started to decrease, because we've started taking action. We need to tighten up even more. The number of injured and wounded since 2014 is 121,896. Even in war, that doesn't happen. You could say there's a silent war going on in the country: people are dying and being injured in road accidents. Not only are we losing our citizens, but we're also forced to support those who are injured and disabled. Naturally, all of this is causing serious damage to our country. Therefore, from now on, no one will be able to buy a driver's license. Those who previously bought one and are caught breaking the rules will have to take a test.
What's wrong with that? Those who don't know the rules or have forgotten them will have to learn them again. All traffic accidents occur because people drive carelessly, which leads to fatalities. I asked the employee selling driver's licenses: "You sold 100 people driver's licenses. Can you guarantee that one of those 100 won't hit and kill someone close to you tomorrow?" He replied, "We've had such cases."
One of the people who bought a driver's license ran over the sister of the employee who sold it. This also happens. So the employee selling the license should think about this guy: what if he run over my son or grandson tomorrow.
We will do everything possible to ensure that driver's licenses are issued only to those who have fully completed training.
In European countries, some people study for 2-3 years and barely get their license. And that's why the number of traffic accidents in Europe is almost zero.
Why shouldn't we achieve the same? Even if we start taking strict measures now, it could take 50 years. In 30 years, those who purchased their licenses earlier will grow old and stop driving, leaving only those who received their licenses after completing full training. Only then can we eliminate accidents. Therefore, citizens must unconditionally support the measures we are taking. Additional course on traffic rules will be introduced in schools across the country. It is being developed by specialists from the Road Safety Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Education. Detailed information will be available to the public by the end of November.
11th- and 12th-grade students begin school in September, and learning the information depends on their age, it takes a year. Practical classes will be conducted taking into account rain, winter, and weather conditions. It is expected that practical lessons will include: how to drive on slippery roads, what to look for in the dark, first steps in the event of a vehicle breakdown, etc.
The 14-month period is designed so that those who fail the exams will have to re-prepare and retake the exam.
The question arises: is it mandatory to train all schoolchildren? Is it really impossible to train only those who intend to obtain a driver's license?
Whether we like it or not, we are all road users: some are drivers, some are pedestrians.
Therefore, knowledge of traffic rules is a useful resource for young people. Those who don't intend to drive simply won't have to take the final exams. The technical infrastructure is sufficient. Driving schools will be located in all regions of the republic. Practical classes will be held there. Theoretical classes, as already mentioned, will be held in schools.
Adults who have graduated from high school or university will study at driving schools. For them, the training period can be intensive and shorter.
From now on, there will be no corruption! Forget about buying a license for money. "From now on, driver's licenses will be obtained only through knowledge, hard work, and conscientiousness. Everyone must achieve this through their own knowledge and tireless efforts," he stated.