The government is taking significant steps to ease the process of acquiring medical certificates needed for obtaining driver's licenses. During a cabinet meeting held on March 3, 2025, chaired by Adylbek Kasymaliev, the initiative aims to tackle persistent issues within the current procedure, which has proved to be cumbersome for citizens and government agencies alike.
Currently, obtaining the necessary medical certificate—a requirement for licensing—calls for individuals to visit eight different medical specialists. This arduous process can take up to seven days to complete. "This process takes up to 7 days, creating inconveniences for both citizens and government bodies. There is a risk of forgery of certificates issued on paper and submitted to the State Agency for vehicle and driver's license registration," stated Kasymaliev. The urgency for reform is underscored by the staggering statistic indicating approximately 175,000 citizens across the country received such certificates last year alone.
At the core of this reform is the intention to digitize the related procedures, which will not only speed up the process but also increase security by reducing instances of forgery. The government has outlined plans to develop digital modules and services for both the Ministry of Health and the State Agency for Registration of Vehicles and Driver's Licenses. Kasymaliev explained, "Once the medical examination is completed, the certificate should automatically be sent to the agency's database, eliminating the need for paper submission." This shift to digital documentation will streamline the entire process, making it more efficient and less prone to errors.
The cabinet's discussions did not merely stop at medical certificates; they also included other initiatives aimed at improving logistics and administrative efficiency within the transportation sector. For example, simplifying the process for special permission required for transporting large and heavy cargo will also be pursued. Currently, the cumbersome process involving several steps for transportation permits often leads to long delays, which the cabinet is committed to resolving.
Prime Minister Kasymaliev emphasized the urgency of implementing such reforms. Recognizing the many challenges faced by citizens, he asserted, "Our main goal is to create a conducive environment for entrepreneurs by accelerating transportation processes, digitizing approval mechanisms between state agencies, eliminating bureaucratic barriers, and lowering logistics costs." This commitment to reform reflects broader government efforts to simplify and modernize public service delivery.
Looking forward, the cabinet aims to implement the proposed changes within 100 days, promising significant impacts not only for logistics professionals but for all citizens who require medical evaluations for driving privileges. Coordination and monitoring of these tasks will fall to relevant structural units within the president's administration. Plans for evaluating the effectiveness of these implementations will also occur after the 100-day deadline.
Kasymaliev's remarks during the cabinet meeting resonate with the need for reform, aiming for programs and systems to finally converge toward citizen-centered solutions. This drive toward modernization is not merely a bureaucratic necessity; it's about restoring trust and reducing the burdens placed upon everyday citizens. By removing inefficient practices and opting for technological upgrades, the government appears poised to turn these discussions of reform from proposal to practice.
To wrap up, it's clear the government acknowledges the need for systemic changes to improve public services. The proposed digital integration for medical certifications is just one example among many the administration intends to roll out as part of its larger strategic approach to bureaucracy modernization. The hope is for the reforms to serve all stakeholders involved, enhancing efficiency and safety within the process of obtaining driver licenses.