Armenia’s government backs driving license amnesty bill

Armenia’s government on Thursday approved draft legislation that would allow drivers stripped of their licenses to have them back without retaking driving exams by completing a probation period.

The proposed changes come after several disqualified drivers appealed to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the election campaign earlier this month, asking to be allowed back behind the wheel. Pashinyan promised to find a solution, drawing praise from drivers.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan said the government is changing the procedure for recovering driving licenses and would focus on changing drivers’ behavior.

Under the new rules, drivers will no longer be required to pass an exam to recover their licenses. After the disqualification period expires, citizens will be able to apply for reinstatement and enter a one-year probation period with six penalty points. If the points are not exhausted during the year, the driver’s license will be fully restored.

Drivers using the procedure will have to pay a state fee of roughly $130.

“We are granting a very limited number of penalty points while restoring the license,” Sargsyan said. “If, for example, a person drives drunk once and commits one or two minor violations, the six points will be exhausted. We are not giving unlimited opportunities.”

The measure will not apply to driving bans imposed by courts or foreign authorities, nor to cases involving mental health or other medical conditions, as well as drug or psychotropic substance use.

The bill will now be discussed in parliament.