It's time to change: what awaits motorists in April
Starting from April 1, foreigners who have obtained Russian citizenship or a residence permit (residence permit) cannot drive vehicles according to their national rights. In addition, the CTP coefficients for cars and motorcycles will be recalculated. Izvestia figured out when they would launch a common policy for Russia on how to pay transport tax for a Chinese car and why buying a car would become more difficult.
They'll make you pass the theory
Foreigners who obtained Russian citizenship or a residence permit before April 1 last year and did not exchange their national rights for Russian ones before April 1 this year will have to take a theory exam at the State Traffic Inspectorate. This requirement applies to holders of rights of categories M (mopeds), A (motorcycles) and B (passenger cars), as well as subcategories A1, B1.
To exchange national rights to drive trucks and buses (categories C and D, as well as their subcategories, including for driving with a trailer), you will have to complete a driving school course, and then pass both theory and practice.
A simplified procedure has been in place for the exchange of national rights for Russian rights throughout the past year, but it will cease on April 1. Driving a vehicle with national rights after the specified date is considered a traffic violation, for which a fine of 5-15 thousand rubles is threatened.
The new requirements do not apply to driver's licenses issued in Belarus.
The "dodgers" will go on foot
Igor Morzharetto, a member of the Public council at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, noted that the annual spring conscription started on April 1. He recalled that in addition to serious fines, other restrictions await citizens who evade summonses. Thus, they will not be able to take the license exam, extend the driver's license period and register vehicles.
The coefficients will be reviewed
Every year, on April 1, the bonus-malus coefficient (KBM) is automatically recalculated, after which it decreases for accident-free drivers and increases for emergency drivers. The minimum value of this coefficient is 0.46, and for emergency drivers it can reach 3.92. At the initial conclusion of the CTP agreement for a novice driver, it is equal to 1.17.
— KBM is reduced if there were no insurance claims. The more accidents there are, the higher the KBM coefficient. Recalculation always takes place once a year on April 1, regardless of whether CTP contracts were concluded in the previous period and their duration (annual or short—term contract) and is valid from April 1 of one year to March 31 of the following year," said Evgeny Ufimtsev, President of the Russian Union of Motor Insurers (RSA).
In addition, starting from April 17, CTP for motorcyclists will be calculated in a new way. For motor vehicles, a power factor (KM) and an age-length ratio (KVS) are introduced.
So, the coefficient for motorcycles with a motor power of up to 50 hp is equal to one, and for vehicles of categories B and VE — 0.6. Further, the coefficients increase every 10 hp, and in general they are higher than for cars. The highest coefficient for motorcycles with a power of 90 hp is 1.66. As for the age—experience coefficients, they are generally higher for young motorcyclists than for motorists, and lower for older ones.
How much does a Union State policy cost?
Another innovation is the launch of a single CTP policy for Russia and Belarus from April 23.
The minimum base rate of the CTP insurance tariff for passenger vehicles will be 3,400 rubles, and the maximum will be 3,590 rubles. For trucks, the rate varies from 7560 to 7980 rubles.
Who will not be affected by the "luxury tax"
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has published an updated list of cars worth 10 million rubles or more that are subject to an increased vehicle tax rate. Last year, there were 517 models, but now their number has grown to 555. The list also includes Chinese models, both hybrids and pure electric trains: HiPhi Z, Hongqi E-HS9, Zeekr 009, BYD Yangwang U8.
Metropolitan car owners of electric vehicles will still not pay the transport tax. Previously, it was assumed that this benefit would end in 2025, but on October 25, the mayor of the capital, Sergei Sobyanin, announced its extension. The press service of the metropolitan Department of Transport confirmed to Izvestia on March 31 the extension of the zero rate of transport tax for electric vehicles.
It will become more difficult to get a car loan
Starting in April, the Bank of Russia will be able to set macroprudential limits for banks and microfinance organizations in mortgages and car loans. According to the regulator's idea, such limits will help curb the growth of citizens' creditworthiness and prevent the accumulation of risks by banks and MFIs. Such a tool has been used since 2023 in unsecured consumer lending, as a result of which the share of risky loans in this segment has significantly decreased, the press service of the Central Bank notes.
The potential introduction of macroprudential limits in car loans is a tool for monitoring the level of creditworthiness of end consumers, which has been constantly growing in recent years, said Renat Tyukteev, Deputy General Director for New Car Sales at Avilon AG.
"Therefore, we have a chance to observe a further cooling of the car loan market, since loans will become less affordable for some consumers, and for some it will be impossible to obtain them at all due to a more thorough assessment of borrowers' solvency by banks," he believes.
What will happen to the rates and prices of cars now?
According to Renat Tyukteev, the introduction of macroprudential limits can contribute to the development of other forms of financing, such as leasing or leasing. As a result, demand for cars may decrease, but you should not expect a significant change in interest rates on loans.
— In April, the price dynamics will not undergo significant changes, as discounts for the first quarter of this year have already reached their maximum. The price balance may shift downward, but not by more than 2% relative to March levels. Price growth is unlikely," says Renat Tyukteev.
Olga Boyko, Director of the Financial Services Department at Rolf, expects that the existing discount programs will continue.
— As for the cost change, some brands have already sent information about the price increase for their products. These are small changes, but they have a place to be," Olga Boyko noted.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
