Prison for Drunk Driving and Category A1 for Mopeds: What Changes are Being Prepared in the Traffic Rules

At the meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh held on January 13, initiatives regarding the tightening of penalties for drivers who violate traffic rules while under the influence of alcohol and the introduction of category A1 for managing mopeds, which requires the possession of the appropriate driver's license, were considered. These proposals were voiced earlier, as the increase in the number of mopeds and scooters has led to a rise in road accidents. Thus, the proposed measures aim to ensure greater safety on the roads.

Tightening penalties for drivers under the influence

The Committee of the Jogorku Kenesh on Law and Order and the Fight against Crime supported a bill that proposes stricter liability for serious traffic violations committed under the influence of alcohol. This initiative was initiated as part of the implementation of the decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on measures to ensure road safety.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Oktobyr Urmambetov noted the need to tighten penalties for drivers who, while intoxicated, cause serious traffic accidents and casualties. It is proposed to eliminate mitigating circumstances and introduce long terms of imprisonment and probation.

“There is also a discussion about equating mopeds to mechanical vehicles, which implies the introduction of a mandatory category A1 driver's license for their management,” added Oktobyr Urmambetov.

Previously proposed initiatives

In September 2025, the Committee on Transport of the Jogorku Kenesh approved in the first reading a draft law concerning the introduction of driver's licenses for managing scooters and mopeds.

Deputy Dastan Bekeshev, who initiated this bill, emphasized that the sharp increase in individual mobility devices has created difficulties in their control and regulation.

The proposed changes within the framework of the bill concern the following aspects:

• mandatory registration of vehicles with a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h, an engine capacity of 50 cc, and an electric motor power of 4 kW;
• introduction of category AM for managing individual mobility devices with a power of up to 4 kW and a speed of up to 50 km/h from the age of 14;
• retention of age requirements for categories: A1 — from 16 years, A — from 18 years.

Global regulatory experience

In many European Union countries, age restrictions and categories for managing motorcycles and light vehicles are clearly established.

For example:

• category AM applies from the age of 14 for light mopeds and scooters;
• from 16 years — category A1, allowing the management of low-powered motorcycles;
• from 18 years — category A for full-powered motorcycles.

This system is actively used in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

In Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and Japan, a license of categories AM or A1 is also required for managing mopeds and light scooters.

As for neighboring countries, in Uzbekistan, category A1 for mopeds, scooters, and small-capacity motorcycles will be introduced starting January 1, 2026. According to the government decree, attending a driving school to obtain this category is not mandatory. Citizens holding categories A, B, C, or D automatically receive the right to manage under category A1.

In Kazakhstan, new rules prohibiting the operation of unregistered mopeds and managing them without a driver's license have been in effect since April 5, 2025. They are now officially considered mechanical vehicles, for the management of which a category A1, A, or B license is required, as well as passing a technical inspection and having civil liability insurance.

Upcoming legislative changes

As reported to the Kabar agency by Nurlan Zholdoshev, senior inspector of the Main Department for Ensuring Road Safety, the new changes aim to increase driver responsibility against the backdrop of a growing number of traffic accidents.

According to him, Article 190 of the Code of Offenses contains provisions on warnings and fines for traffic violations by pedestrians and users of individual mobility devices, but there are no clear explanations. Now the term "moped" will be excluded from the code and described in detail in the Law "On Road Traffic." It will provide clear definitions of the concepts of moped, road traffic, road safety, and traffic organization, as well as define the terms of the vehicle and green signal.

In Article 2 of the law, "moped" will be characterized as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a speed of no more than 50 km/h, an engine capacity of up to 50 cc, and an electric motor power of 0.25 to 4 kW. Mopeds will include motor scooters, scooters, electric scooters, and analogs based on technical characteristics.

Additionally, changes will be made to Article 25 of the law, according to which a category A1 driver's license will be issued for managing light vehicles from the age of 16," concluded Nurlan Zholdoshev.