Domestic driver: the introduction of taxi localization may be postponed to 2026
Deadlines for the controversial taxi localization law are shifting: the State Duma allows for the possibility of its entry into force in the spring of 2026. So far, the bill has been approved in the first reading, but it was opposed by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, taxi companies, and the legal department of the Presidential Administration has complaints. However, one of the main complaints about the amendments was the date of their entry into force — October 2025. The planned postponement only delays the solution of the problem, experts believe. Industry representatives are asking to rework the document taking into account the proposals of taxi companies and social activists.
Who opposed the law
The controversial taxi localization bill may be adopted and enter into force in March 2026. This date is contained in a new version of the document that the State Duma Committee on Transport sent to federal executive authorities in April this year (available to Izvestia).
The draft law on taxi localization was submitted to the State Duma by Senator Andrei Kutepov and United Russia deputy Vladimir Gutenev in November 2023. In January 2024, the draft was adopted in the first reading. According to him, from October 1, 2025, cars for passenger transportation can only be purchased domestically — they must be produced by Russian concerns, the degree of localization of machine elements must be high, and a points system is being introduced to evaluate it.
The proposed amendments and their first reading caused a great public outcry. At the end of February 2025, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) warned of the possible risks associated with the adoption of the amendments. The president of the union, Alexander Shokhin, called for a "reasonable compromise" — postponing the deadline for the introduction of changes from October 1, 2025 to October 1, 2026.
The current version was opposed by the State Legal Department (GPU) of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation - there is a corresponding letter to the State Duma Committee on Transport, Izvestia wrote. They pointed out that additional discussion was needed "with the participation of representatives of interested structures."
The GPU separately reported on the claims to the document from the law enforcement agencies. In particular, the creation of an information system to account for models that meet the requirements of a passenger taxi was considered excessive and unjustified. This item is in the bill. Instead, it is proposed to create a list of vehicle models.
In the response of the GPU to Valery Korneev, chairman of the ANO Union of Digital Platforms "Digital World", it is noted that the State Duma Committee on Transport is finalizing the document for the second reading.
The adoption of a law on the localization of vehicles in passenger transport is possible only after comfortable and reliable cars appear on the assembly lines of Russian car factories, according to a letter from the Digital World Platform Users Union. In March 2025, it was sent to the government and domestic automakers.
How does the professional community react
At the end of April 2025, the controversial bill was discussed at the conference "Forecast of the results of the adoption of the draft law on taxi localization for Russian regions." It was attended by deputies of the State Duma and regional parliaments, representatives of the transport departments of the Siberian Federal District and the Far East, industry and public organizations.
The experts agreed on the need to support the country's industrial sovereignty, but emphasized a balanced approach to deadlines. They were proposed to be coordinated with all interested parties, especially with regions where the business model of a regional taxi is radically different from passenger transportation in large cities. In such regions of the federation (Siberia, the Far East), more than 90% of drivers are self—employed in private cars, while in other parts of the country the main players are taxi companies.
The draft law should include mechanisms regulating the operation of taxis, rather than requirements for a localized car, Stanislav Shvagerus, head of the competence center of the International Eurasian Taxi Forum, said at the conference.
— There can be no law on a car in a taxi, we don't have laws on localized coffee makers or shovels, — said the expert.
There are no domestic budget cars in the country that meet the requirements of the industry, representatives of taxi companies said. And the head of the Union of the Self-Employed of Russia, Ivan Litvinov, noted that the localization requirement can only apply to parks: they have investments and a rate of return.
— But the law cannot be extended to private cars of private drivers, as leasing is not available to them. And the actual interest rate on car loans today is 32%," the expert noted.
He cited the calculations of this organization, according to which the monthly payment on a car loan for seven years for a car worth 1.5 million rubles will amount to 44 thousand rubles, the overpayment will be 2.2 million.
— Buying such a car, a taxi driver will pay 2.5 times more than its cost, — said Ivan Litvinov.
Outside of megacities, the payback period of a budget car at current prices has exceeded five years, which is twice the lifetime of a taxi car.
Taxis in Siberia and the Far East
The introduction of taxi localization, for example, in the Khabarovsk Territory poses significant risks, representatives of the main directorate of regional State Control and licensing of the regional government have recognized.
"Historically, domestic—made passenger cars make up a very small proportion of the total fleet," added Yuri Im, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee on Economic Development of the Sakhalin Regional Duma.
According to him, with the introduction of regulations requiring simultaneous transfer of taxis to domestic vehicles, there will be a shortage of cars, specialized car service, and prices will soar.
— We need a long transition period and minimum requirements for the number of localized cars, — said Yuri Im.
Among the reasons for dissatisfaction with the domestic automotive industry is the lack of desirable configuration options, high cost of ownership due to frequent repairs, long waits for spare parts and related downtime. There are also complaints about logistics — you have to wait several months for a Russian car that has already been purchased in regions far from the center of the country.
As Anton Smerkis, head of the Maxim Legal Department, noted, the bill refers only to new cars. This means, in his opinion, that in addition to restrictions on the place of production, the industry will also receive an age restriction on machines.
— More than 90% of the cars used in the eastern regions of our service are foreign cars. Carriers have already voted against the draft law under consideration, which does not take into account the interests of participants in the transportation market. The only entity whose interests are taken into account is automakers," he added.
The Digital World sent an appeal to the governors of all regions of the Siberian Federal District and the Far East with a request to give their own assessment of the ban on the use of cars manufactured in other countries for taxi transportation (Izvestia has it).
Will postponement help?
The Public Council for Taxi Development has also developed a set of proposals to finalize the draft law for the second reading, the press service of the organization told Izvestia. Letters have already been sent to car factories, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as to one of the authors of the bill, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy Andrey Kutepov (the editorial staff has it).
In particular, public activists are asking to delay the entry into force of the law until it is discussed and agreed with the taxi market, introduce direct subsidies to companies, clarify technical requirements for cars, support the service infrastructure and abandon the rigid scoring system in favor of industry standards.
"We ask you to consider the attached list of proposals as a basis for making amendments to the second reading of the draft law. We are convinced that only a balanced approach will ensure both the fulfillment of the tasks of the national industrial policy and the sustainable development of the passenger taxi sector in the interests of citizens employed in the industry and passengers," the document says.
The introduction of mandatory localization in its current form may lead to negative consequences.: reduction of the number of legal carriers in the taxi industry, namely self-employed drivers, reduction of transport mobility and accessibility of transportation for the population in municipalities, deterioration of the technical condition of fleets, and an increase in accidents.
"When introducing any requirements, it is necessary to take into account the real situation and not create barriers for business, but introduce stimulating development programs for both the domestic automotive industry and the taxi business. Taxi companies advocate for the support of car production and their continuous improvement in terms of safety, quality and reliable operation," the council stressed.
It is unrealistic to transfer all taxi companies to Russian cars, says Ekaterina Kosareva, managing partner of the VMT Consult analytical agency. After the departure of European, Japanese and Korean brands, the market actually shifted to Chinese brands.
— They turned out to be the most convenient for commercial use: in abundance, at reasonable prices, with more or less predictable maintenance and spare parts, — she noted. — Russian cars, including Lada and Aurus models, cannot yet compete with their Chinese counterparts in terms of price and quality, comfort, resource and operating costs.
In addition, fleets and leasing companies face a limited choice of models suitable for taxis.
—Postponement is a temporary solution that rather postpones the solution of the problem," Ekaterina Kosareva believes. — During this time, there will be no drastic increase in production or the appearance of a large number of new models.
Comprehensive support measures are needed, the expert added: from expanding the product range to subsidizing purchases, service infrastructure and recycling programs.
Natalia Lozinskaya, Executive Director of the National Taxi Council Association, agreed that shifting deadlines was not a solution to the problem.
—Two thirds of Russian carriers are not ready to purchase domestic-made vehicles to upgrade their fleets due to the fact that they often break down, stand idle for a long time and therefore do not generate income," she said.
The solution to the problem will be to rework the draft law, taking into account the recommendations of business representatives and the expert community, Natalia Lozinskaya said. In particular, the National Taxi Council sent a proposal to the State Duma Committee on Transport to remove the points system, remove self-employed drivers from the localization requirement, and give regions the right to introduce or cancel the localization requirement in taxis. In addition, the association asks to link the introduction of the law with state support measures for the industry.
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