Tightened medical screenings could bar certain diagnoses from eligible candidates for driver's licenses
As of September 1, 2022, Russia has implemented updated medical contraindications for drivers, focusing on clarifying and tightening conditions for individuals with health conditions that may impact their ability to safely operate a vehicle. The changes primarily affect neurological, psychiatric, and sensory disorders.
Key changes to the list of medical contraindications include:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): While ASD is not explicitly listed as a contraindication, drivers with significant cognitive or behavioral impairments that affect safe driving ability may be restricted or required to undergo medical assessment and possible supervision. The regulations prioritise a functional and safety-based assessment over diagnosis alone.
- Color vision anomalies (color blindness): Moderate to severe color vision deficiencies could be considered a contraindication due to their impact on traffic safety. Drivers with mild anomalies may still qualify but might face testing or restrictions, depending on severity.
- Epilepsy: Drivers diagnosed with epilepsy must provide documentation of seizure control, including a seizure-free period (often 1-2 years depending on local medical guidelines) and medical clearance. Those with uncontrolled seizures or recent episodes are usually disqualified to ensure road safety.
In addition to these changes, the Ministry of Health regulations require annual or periodic medical evaluations for certain categories of drivers. These evaluations include neurological and psychiatric assessments, drug and alcohol screening, and testing for sensory impairments. The goal is to balance individual rights with public safety considerations.
Conditions like childhood autism, Rett syndrome, and Asperger's syndrome will be considered when evaluating an individual's ability to drive. Mental retardation, general psychological development disorders, mood disorders (affective disorders), personality and behavior disorders in adulthood, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and delusional disorders, and mental disorders related to psychoactive substance use have also been added to the updated list of medical contraindications.
Binocular blindness is not mentioned as a new addition to the list of medical contraindications for drivers in the provided paragraph. However, conditions like stress-related neurotic disorders and general psychological behavior disorders have been added to the updated list.
These updates reflect Russia's move toward more regulated, health-based licensing criteria to enhance driver and public safety. For individual evaluations and legal specifics, drivers with these conditions typically undergo medical commission assessments under the Ministry of Health guidelines.
As of March 1, 2027, additional rules for unscheduled medical examinations for drivers suspected of having serious illnesses will be implemented.
| Condition | Contraindication Status (as of Sep 1, 2022) | Notes | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | Autism spectrum disorder | Not an outright contraindication; case-by-case review | Functional assessment required | | Color vision anomalies | Potential contraindication depending on severity | Mild cases may be allowed; safety for signal recognition assessed | | Epilepsy | Confirmed contraindication without seizure control | Requires seizure-free period and medical clearance |
- The implementation of updated medical contraindications for drivers in Russia, effective September 1, 2022, now includes a focus on conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, as well as various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
- Drivers with autism spectrum disorder may be subject to case-by-case review, with a functional assessment required to evaluate their ability to drive safely.
- Moderate to severe color vision deficiencies could lead to a contraindication for driving due to their impact on traffic safety, while mild cases may face testing or restrictions depending on their severity.
- Drivers diagnosed with epilepsy are required to provide documentation of seizure control, including a seizure-free period and medical clearance, and those with uncontrolled seizures or recent episodes are usually disqualified to ensure road safety.
