The rules for training and improving the qualifications of drivers engaged in commercial passenger and freight transportation have been updated.

The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development has updated the rules for training and upgrading the qualifications of drivers engaged in commercial passenger or freight transport.

This refers to Order No. 1728 “On Approval of Amendments to Certain Regulatory Acts of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine,” which regulates the activities of training centers and procedures for confirming the professional competence of drivers. In addition, it concerns the fulfillment of European integration obligations, namely compliance with the requirements of the Directive on the qualification and periodic training of drivers.

The updates are aimed at simplifying state regulation, digitizing interaction, and improving the quality and transparency of the training process, in particular, preventing “fake” or incomplete training. The order has already been registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

What will change for drivers and training centers? 

• Flexibility of training for drivers. 

Drivers with valid documents (certificate of professional competence of a driver) can expand their categories or undergo training under shortened programs — only from modules that they have not previously mastered.

• Transparency and quality control of training. 

Mandatory photo and video recording of training sessions, tests/exams, and meetings of the Ministry of Development's certification commission regarding recognition as a training center is being introduced. Decisions and minutes are published on the ministry's official website. This means that when training a driver to obtain a driver's qualification card (the so-called “code 95”), photo and video recording of the training process and exams must be provided. 

• Modern training formats. 

Distance, dual, and blended learning formats are officially permitted, and training modules have been updated (in particular regarding safety, vehicle load, and modern tachographs).

What is changing in the process of recognition as a training center? 

• Simplification and digitization of procedures. 

The volume of documents that a business entity must submit to become a training center and provide driver training has been reduced. The requirements for the material and technical base for official recognition as a training center have also been clarified. In particular, the availability of simulators for the use of smart tachographs is provided for.

The order also stipulates that communication with the training center may be conducted in electronic format, i.e., invitations to training, notifications, or materials may be transmitted online. 

• Indefinite validity of certificates of recognition as training centers.

Certificates of recognition as training centers will become indefinite. The validity period will begin on the date of issuance of the relevant order by the Ministry of Development.

The Order also establishes a procedure for suspending or terminating certificates of recognition as training centers (instead of revocation). 

Thus, the Order will reduce bureaucracy and costs for training centers and carriers, as well as ensure the transparency of the training process. 

When do the changes take effect?

The changes take effect three months after the date of official publication. 

It is important to note that training center certificates issued earlier remain valid for their term and are reissued for an indefinite period, provided that the training centers submit the necessary documents.

Training centers must submit the specified documents to the Ministry no later than six months from the date the changes take effect.