The decisions made by the government sometimes provoke discontent and disputes, but soon become obvious to society. One such step was the reform of the driver’s license acquisition system in Kyrgyzstan, initiated by President Sadyr Japarov. He changed the approach to the issue of obtaining licenses, focusing on road safety rather than convenience for citizens. Japarov emphasizes that a driver’s license is not just a formality, but a responsibility for the lives of people.
Previously, driver training was perceived as a standard procedure: driving schools operated, exams were conducted, and licenses were issued. However, the actual training left much to be desired due to corruption and insufficient oversight, leading to the emergence of drivers on the roads who lacked the necessary knowledge and skills.
The tightening of exams showed that many candidates could not even confirm basic knowledge. This became the main argument in favor of reform: the problem was not in raising the requirements, but in the low level of driver training.
The president emphasized that a driver is responsible not only for themselves but also for the safety of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users. Therefore, training must be of high quality, and exams must be objective. The goal of the reform is to foster a culture of responsibility and respect for life, rather than create artificial barriers.
The reform affects not only exams but also the renewal of driver’s licenses. New licenses are harder to forge and meet international standards, making them easier to use abroad. This is a step towards improving the transparency of the system and increasing trust in government documents.
Although the new requirements may increase the time and costs of training, the price of a formal approach is human lives, not money or time.
The situation in Kyrgyzstan resembles what is happening in the USA, where authorities have begun a large-scale reform of commercial driver training after serious violations in truck driver training were revealed.
Inspections uncovered the existence of so-called "CDL factories" — training centers that issued certificates without proper training. Some of them lacked the necessary equipment, training programs, or qualified instructors, and licenses could be obtained for money without real training.
Problems also arose due to insufficient oversight of private examiners, leading to drivers obtaining licenses without the necessary skills to operate large vehicles, creating dangers on the roads.
In response, authorities are closing unscrupulous educational institutions, strengthening oversight of examination procedures, and checking drivers on the roads. Requirements for carriers and training standards are being tightened, and the working conditions of drivers are being monitored, as fatigue behind the wheel is one of the causes of accidents.
Particular attention is paid to drivers' ability to understand road instructions and comply with safety requirements, which is directly related to accident prevention and saving lives.
Despite the differences in the scale and specifics of the reforms in Kyrgyzstan and the USA, the logic of the changes remains the same: safety cannot be based on formalities.
States are increasingly recognizing the need to combat fraudulent training and unscrupulous drivers. Responsibility is becoming a key requirement, and the quality of training is the foundation of road safety.
Although such changes often meet with discontent, society gradually begins to perceive reforms as a form of protection. Every driver, when getting on the road, hopes to return home alive and has the right to expect that responsible and well-trained drivers are nearby.
The era when licenses could simply be bought is gradually fading into the past. It is being replaced by a culture of training, discipline, and respect for human life.
Thus, the chosen course should not be viewed as a temporary measure or an attempt to complicate life for citizens. It is a testament to the maturity of the state and society, where human safety becomes the highest priority and human life the main value.
