What exactly did the Cabinet of Ministers change in the rules for obtaining these categories?
The Cabinet of Ministers has removed the requirement to have at least one year of driving experience before moving on to categories BE, C1E and CE. This means drivers no longer have to wait a year after obtaining a base category to start retraining for the corresponding additional licences.
The simplification will apply during martial law and for six months after it is lifted or cancelled. According to the government, the changes are intended to help train personnel for transportation more quickly and to reduce the shortage of drivers in the sector.
Which vehicles will the new categories allow you to drive?
Category BE entitles the holder to drive a passenger car with a trailer when the trailers mass exceeds 750 kg. This applies where a category B vehicle tows such a trailer.
Category C1E is required for medium trucks with a trailer — that is, for category C1 vehicles with a maximum authorised mass from 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes if the trailer weighs more than 750 kg. Category CE covers large trucks with a trailer or semi-trailer and permits driving road trains, including articulated lorries.
What remains mandatory when obtaining these categories?
Even after the one-year experience requirement has been removed, it is not possible to add a category to a licence without training and an exam. The requirement to hold the base category B, C1 or C, respectively, before retraining to BE, C1E or CE remains in place.
Candidates must complete retraining under the established programme and pass a practical exam at a territorial service centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVS). There are also age requirements and other legal conditions for access to driving. For BE, C1E and CE the minimum age is 19 years.
How will this change the labour market in the transport sector?
The government believes that lowering formal barriers will allow drivers to be trained for the transport market more quickly and help reduce staff shortages. In reality, the main change concerns the timing of when retraining can begin rather than the removal of the training process.
A new category can still only be obtained after training and the successful passing of a practical exam. So, easing the experience requirement will simplify the route for those wishing to work in transport, but it does not remove the need for preparation and qualification assessment.
As we reported, railway stations will integrate bus services: bus tickets will be sold via “Ukrzaliznytsia”.
