Fixed the buggy: the Russian Federation has expanded the possibilities of a regular driver's license

It will be possible to drive buggies, all-terrain vehicles and other self-propelled vehicles using "automobile" driver's licenses. The relevant law was adopted by the State Duma. Izvestia found out what kind of equipment and under what conditions it would be possible to drive without obtaining special rights of a "tractor driver".

New opportunities for driver's licenses

Holders of ordinary driver's licenses for the right to drive a car will be able to drive "self—propelled vehicles of category AII with a maximum weight of up to 3.5 tons and no more than eight passenger seats." The relevant amendments to the laws "On Self-propelled vehicles and other types of equipment" and "On Road Safety" were adopted by the State Duma in the second and third readings. Category AII includes, in particular, buggies, Side-by-side ATVs, and some models of swamp walkers.

Photo: AVM-Trade

Previously, special rights were required to operate such equipment — a category AII tractor driver's license. Exams for obtaining them are conducted not by the State Traffic Inspectorate, but by Gostekhnadzor. According to the adopted amendments, the right to drive such self-propelled vehicles will also be confirmed by a driver's license of category B, C or D.

However, as follows from the document, this rule will work only in the case of "using a self-propelled vehicle on the basis of a lease (rental) or other paid agreement providing for the temporary transfer of a self-propelled vehicle to a citizen, provided that the person who provided it conducts instruction on how to operate such a self-propelled vehicle and ensure its safe operation." Starting from the end of 2023, similar rules apply to rental ATVs and snowmobiles. Now the list has been supplemented with heavier equipment.

Since the current rules provide for the possibility of obtaining a category AII tractor driver's license only for persons at least 19 years old, the same age limit will apply to those who can operate such equipment with a "car" license.

Photo: AVM-Trade

— We have worked out all the comments made by the chamber after the first reading very efficiently, so we have three amendments to the bill. For example, it was originally planned to allow only category B owners to drive all-terrain vehicles. By the third reading, this list was expanded by adding drivers with C and D licenses," Pavel Fedyaev, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Transport, told Izvestia.

To help tourists

Russia has unique natural and climatic conditions for the development of tourism industries such as snowmobile, off-road and off-road tourism.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Kristina Kormilitsyna

"Given today's management admission requirements, citizens who are interested in active tourism and want to explore the natural attractions of Russia, in most cases drive their off—road vehicles without proper documents and are limited in their ability to legally engage in such types of tourism," the explanatory note to the document says.

Security issues

The adopted amendments will help to increase the number of tours involving the use of buggies or other all-terrain vehicles, says Roman Sitnikov, motorcycle expert, instructor, graduate of the European ATV Safety Institute Safety Center. If many people have "automobile" rights, then not all have special "tractor" rights of the corresponding category, he notes.

— For many people who would like to go on a buggy trip as part of an organized group, this requirement was an obstacle. As a result, we had to either break the law or refuse to travel," he said.

At the same time, the motorcycle expert emphasized, buggies and Side-by-side ATVs are safer than conventional quadricycles or snowmobiles, which were allowed to ride earlier with "automobile" rights. Such equipment is more stable, it has seat belts and a power frame that protects the driver and passengers.

Photo: AVM-Trade

— If driving a snowmobile or quad bike with motorcycle controls still requires certain skills and habits, riding a buggy, in fact, is not much different from driving a regular car. Such cars have a familiar steering wheel, pedals, and full-fledged seats. Of course, there are certain nuances of controlling such equipment, but they are much less, and they are less critical compared to a conventional ATV or snowmobile," said the motorcycle instructor.

Ivan Vladimirov, editor-in-chief of Moto magazine, also notes that driving a buggy is not much different from an ordinary passenger car. However, he considers the adopted amendments insufficient and half-hearted.

— It's good that the buggy was allowed to drive with the usual rights. But why does this only apply to tourists? I really hope that this decision is only the first step and will be extended to personal equipment in the future, not just rental equipment," he told Izvestia.

"Whitewash" the market

Due to the current restrictions on access to driving such equipment, companies offering tourist trips on it often work "in the gray," said Roman Sitnikov. No contracts are drawn up, payment is made in cash or by transfer to a card, he added.

— I think that these amendments will significantly "whitewash" this area. A signed contract will be a confirmation that the equipment has been rented, and a person with ordinary rights is driving it legally. Accordingly, the tourists themselves will be interested in the official design of such a tour," Roman Sitnikov believes.

Photo: AVM-Trade

The amendments adopted will most likely not bring a significant increase in the offers of tourist routes involving the use of buggies or similar equipment, Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of Za Rulem, believes. However, they will make it possible to bring existing tourist services out of the shadows.

— The main thing is that such trips must be accompanied by an experienced instructor-guide who will plot a route bypassing potentially dangerous places, regulate the movement of the convoy, slowing down where necessary. And, of course, before starting the trip, there must be a detailed briefing on safety, rules and features of managing such equipment," Maxim Kadakov told Izvestia.