The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan has prepared a draft resolution on the mutual recognition and exchange of driving licences between Kazakhstan and China, El.kz reports.
If the agreement is signed, cross-border travel by private vehicle could become significantly easier.
Why is it currently inconvenient?
Any Kazakhstani citizen travelling to China in their own vehicle faces the same issue: national driving licences are not valid there, and it is not advisable to drive without obtaining a temporary Chinese driving licence.
To obtain one, the driving licence must first be translated into Chinese, and the translation must then be notarised.
What does the MIA propose?
The Ministry has prepared a draft resolution on the signing of an agreement between Kazakhstan and China on the mutual recognition and exchange of driving licences. The principle is straightforward: driving licences issued in one country should be recognised in the other without unnecessary administrative formalities.
If the agreement is adopted, a Kazakhstani citizen will be able to drive a passenger vehicle in China using their national driving licence, while Chinese citizens will have the same right in Kazakhstan. The only requirement will be compliance with the laws and requirements of the country in which the person is driving. At this stage, the arrangement specifically concerns Category B1 driving licences.
2nd option : Full exchange of the driving licence
In addition to allowing drivers to use their national licences, the draft agreement provides for another option: citizens will be able to exchange their driving licence for a local one without having to retake either the theoretical or practical driving tests.
To facilitate this, the two countries will need to establish a direct communication channel between the relevant competent authorities. The agreement is intended to provide the legal framework for this mechanism of inter-agency cooperation.
When can the changes be expected?
The document is currently only a draft, so no specific implementation date has been set. First, the agreement must be signed at the interstate level, after which each party will complete its respective domestic procedures required for the agreement to enter into force.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs expects the new procedure to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens for people residing in Kazakhstan or China, whether temporarily or permanently, and to contribute to the development of tourism and business travel between the two countries. The authors of the draft also emphasise that the document poses no risks to national security and is not expected to result in adverse socio-economic consequences.
