The Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has clarified the procedure for opening an additional driver's license category: candidates planning to obtain the right to drive vehicles of another class must present their existing physical document during the exam. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the official response of the service center. This requirement is enshrined in the Regulation on the Procedure for Issuing Driver's Licenses and Admission of Citizens to Driving Vehicles, approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 340 of May 8, 1993, and is in effect throughout the country.
Why the Administrator Needs a Paper Document
The Ministry of Internal Affairs service center explained that a physical ID is required for two key checks. First, the administrator must verify the relevance of the applicant's personal data against the information contained in the Unified State Register of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Second, it is necessary to ensure that the valid license has not been lost or stolen. Without passing this verification, the candidate is not allowed to take the theoretical or practical exam. Before starting the procedure, the candidate hands over the document to the service center administrator and then proceeds with the exam.
What Happens to the License After Successful Completion
If the candidate successfully passes the practical exam, the old driver's license remains at the Ministry of Internal Affairs service center. In its place, the applicant is issued a new document that already reflects the opened additional category. Thus, the physical exchange of the license is an integral part of the procedure: without surrendering the previous document, obtaining a new one with an expanded list of categories is impossible.
Exam Costs and Registration Procedure
The estimated cost of the theoretical exam is 250 hryvnias, and the practical exam is 420 hryvnias. In addition to basic fees, a bank commission for payment processing may apply. The services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs service centers are provided exclusively by appointment. You can register through the "E-Zapis" system on the official website of the Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or via the mobile application of the same name available in the App Store and Google Play. Online booking is open 21 days in advance. An alternative option is to obtain a ticket via the terminal directly at the service center, which allows you to receive the service on the same day.
Changes in the Procedure for Adapting Vehicles for Drivers with Disabilities
Starting November 1, 2026, an updated procedure for determining the need for car adaptation for drivers based on health conditions came into effect in Ukraine. Now, a doctor only confirms the need for vehicle adaptation, while the specific list of equipment and technical solutions is determined by authorized employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs service centers. This change shifts the focus from a medical conclusion to technical expertise and aims to unify the approach to equipping vehicles for drivers with special needs.
Retaking the Practical Exam
Recall that current regulations allow driver candidates to retake the practical exam an unlimited number of times within two years after completing practical training at a driving school. A second attempt is allowed no earlier than 10 calendar days after a failed exam. At the same time, the previously active rule regarding three attempts has been cancelled, which significantly expands the opportunities for candidates experiencing difficulties during the practical part of the exam.
