Moldovan Government May Ban Transnistrian Driving Licenses

Driving licenses issued by the unrecognized authorities of the Transnistrian region may be banned. The Moldovan government will consider a relevant draft law. According to the amendments, drivers in the region will be obliged to obtain Moldovan driving licenses after passing theoretical and practical exams, noi.md reports. According to official Chisinau, this change will cancel the current simplified procedure that allowed Transnistrian residents to exchange their Transnistrian licenses for Moldovan ones without taking exams. Such measures were criticized in the Transnistrian media. The Moldovan authorities stress that the initiative is not aimed at exerting pressure on the residents of the left bank, but is oriented at harmonizing national norms with the requirements of the European Union. The vote on the bill is expected to take place at a government meeting on Wednesday, 15 January. Until now, drivers with Transnistrian licenses could apply for Moldovan driving licenses without having to take exams.