Tvoy Raschet

Foreign driving licence: what it is

A licence issued in another country. Foreigners who are in Russia temporarily can usually drive on it, but to work as a driver and after getting a VNZh you need a Russian licence.

In Russian: Иностранное водительское удостоверение·Inostrannoe voditelskoe udostoverenie

Moving to Russia Checked by the editorial team Checked: September 2026
Document templatePower of attorney for a car

Key rules

Russia

For those who got a VNZh or citizenship after 1 April 2024, a foreign licence is usually valid for one year from the day they got the status, and after that a Russian licence is needed. To work as a hired driver you need a Russian licence, except for countries where Russian is an official language (for example, Kyrgyzstan). Belarusian licences are valid without exchange.

Sources: State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia («Госавтоинспекция МВД России»), Gosuslugi, the government services portal («Госуслуги»)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Prepared by our editorial team, last checked: September 2026. Found an error? Write to us.

Related terms

Residence permit (VNZh)A document that gives a foreigner the right to live in Russia permanently, work without a patent and enter and leave freely. It is usually a step before applying for citizenship.Register of controlled personsA list kept by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (МВД) of foreigners who are in Russia without a legal basis. While you are on it, many actions are banned: opening an account, driving, marrying.Notarised translation of documentsA translation of a foreign document into Russian in which a notary certifies the translator's signature. Such a translation is needed for a patent, a VNZh, a bank, a SIM card and studies.

More in “Moving to Russia”

Work patentTemporary residence permit (RVP)Admission to Russian citizenshipMigration registrationRegistration of residence (place of stay and place of residence)Migration cardSNILS (pension insurance number)Gosuslugi (government services portal)Compulsory health insurance policy (OMS)Medical examination and fingerprinting for foreignersExam in Russian language, history and lawApostille and legalisationVisaNotice of a foreigner's employmentWorkers from EAEU countriesWork for foreign students

Full glossary

Cookie settings

Choose which data may be processed. You can change your decision at any time via the “Cookie settings” link at the bottom of the page.

NecessaryTheme, colour scheme, recent calculators and your cookie choice. Stored only in your browser.
AnalyticsYandex Metrica: which pages are opened, where visitors come from, how the site is used (including session recording with Webvisor). Helps us understand what to improve.
AdvertisementYandex Advertising Network and Yandex Direct: showing and personalising ads and measuring their effectiveness. Advertising pays for this free site.

Learn more: list of cookies and retention periods · consent text