The Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has clarified the procedure for retaking the practical driving test for a driver's license. According to current Instruction No. 515, the rule of 'three attempts' has been canceled: a driver candidate can take the practical exam an unlimited number of times within two years from the date of issuance of the certificate of completion of practical training at a driving school. RBC-Ukraine reported this, citing the agency.
Ten Days Between Attempts: How to Calculate the Interval
A key condition remains the mandatory interval between attempts. You can sit behind the wheel of the examination car again no earlier than 10 calendar days after a failed attempt. The countdown begins the day after the exam, so effectively the next attempt becomes possible starting from the 11th day. The MIA service center recommends not delaying registration: this can be done the day after the failure through the 'E-Zapis' system by choosing an available date.
A Year for Theory: Why Planning Ahead Matters
Special attention should be paid to the validity period of the theoretical part. A successfully passed theoretical exam is valid for one year, so candidates are advised to plan practical retakes in advance to make it before this deadline expires. Department specialists recommend using the time between exams to analyze mistakes and practice skills: examination route maps are publicly available on the official MIA website, and arriving early allows you to study the start and finish areas, markings, and signs.
Context: License Validity Periods Starting in 2026
The MIA clarification comes against the backdrop of updated driver's license validity periods. Starting in 2026, the validity period for motorcycle and passenger car categories is 15 years, and for freight and passenger transport — 5 years. Previously issued licenses remain valid until the date specified in the document, and retraining or re-examining is not required upon replacement. Consultations on MIA service center services can be obtained by phone at (044) 290-19-88 or on the agency's official website.
What This Means for Future Drivers
Together, the changes remove the primary fear of beginners — the fear of 'exhausting' the number of attempts. A failed run is no longer final: the candidate has two years and an unlimited number of chances to demonstrate their skills, provided they observe the ten-day interval and retain the theoretical exam result. The agency emphasizes that repeated applications are not punitive, but rather allow the student to calmly practice the route and reduce the number of errors by the next attempt.
