Russia's 2027 driving laws impose stricter medical checks for licence holders
New driving laws are set to tighten medical checks for licence holders in Russia. Starting March 1, 2027, drivers who skip unscheduled medical assessments will lose their licences automatically. The changes follow a law passed in July 2025, but some key details remain unresolved. The State Duma has already approved a bill in its first reading that treats medication-induced impairment the same as alcohol or drug intoxication. However, the final list of banned medications for drivers is still under review, and penalties for violations have not yet been announced.
The updated medical rules now include stricter checks for mental health disorders and revised ophthalmological standards. Drivers will have three months to complete an unscheduled medical exam at authorised centres. Those who fail to do so will have their licences revoked without further warning.
If a driver is diagnosed with a condition that affects their ability to drive, the medical facility must inform both the driver and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). Refusing the examination will be treated as having a medical contraindication, and the only way to regain a licence is to pass the required medical checks.
Medical results will be issued digitally, signed with a qualified electronic signature, and recorded in the federal registry of the Unified State Healthcare Information System (EGISZ). The new regulations aim to improve road safety by enforcing stricter health checks. Drivers must comply with the unscheduled medical assessments or risk losing their licences. The system will rely on digital records to track compliance and medical findings.
