What is the AS mark in column 12 of a driver’s license?

New information in the new type of license

The AS mark is usually located in column number 12, where all restrictions relating to a certain category of vehicle are indicated. In addition to this, this list includes:

• Symbol “B” - gives the right to drive any type of vehicle with a trailer heavier than 1000 kg;
• Designation “C” - allows movement on vehicles with large trailers with at least two axles;
• O - allows the driver to ride an articulated passenger bus.

The remaining abbreviations, indicating general restrictions for all types of vehicles, are placed in paragraph number 14, as on old-style certificates. But we will look further at what AS means in driving licenses in categories B1, C1, and D1.

Mark AS for subcategory “B1”

Opposite category “B1” is the letter AS. Let us consider in detail: what such a designation implies, and in what case it is affixed to the rights.

Thus, rights with the open category “B1” are obtained by persons who have undergone special training and who are already 18 years old. The license allows you to drive the following vehicles:

1. Light quadricycles (weight less than 350 kg), the maximum speed of which is no more than 50 km/h;
2. Tricycles with an engine capacity of no more than 50 cm3, which can accelerate to a speed of 50 km/h and above;
3. Quadricycles whose weight does not exceed 400 kg, equipped with a power unit up to 15 kW. For cargo models, there is a restriction - weight no more than 550 kg.

Regarding these types of vehicles, we can say that they are quite new, and most older drivers simply have not had to deal with driving them. At the same time, the popularity of ATVs and tricycles has grown significantly in recent years, so the introduction of the B1 category is a completely reasonable and correct step. Such vehicles are often used by young people. At the same time, the presence of special training and a permit allows them to significantly reduce the number of accidents on the country’s roads.

Although the new type of driving license has been issued in the Russian Federation for several years now, discussions of the document itself have not subsided to this day. Thus, many car drivers suffered from their own inattention and ignorance of all the nuances. It is important not to confuse the AS mark (designates a special type of motorcycle) with the AT mark (prohibits driving a car with a manual transmission). Such shortcomings in the driver’s knowledge can lead to him being issued a fine by the traffic police inspector.

We recommend that you pay attention to what is indicated in the new driver’s license, do not confuse the designations, and do not drive vehicles that are not permitted to be driven in the categories open to the license. This is the only way you can safely drive the vehicle and not worry that the traffic police inspector will issue an impressive fine or the vehicle you are driving will be taken to the impound lot. Take care of your own nerves and money - carefully read and study the special designations that are indicated in the new driver’s license!

Call the number (MSK and MO), +7 (812) 426-14-93 (SPb and LO) and ext. 697 (general) and our auto lawyer will answer all your questions for FREE.

AS stamp on driver's license

Having discovered the AS symbols on their car, many motorists confuse them with the well-known AT restriction, which prohibits the driver from driving a car with a manual transmission. However, the mentioned value does not at all indicate the type of gearbox (automatic or manual). And most often it is used for a specific type of transport.

Decoding the meaning

The abbreviation AS on the new license means that the motorist is allowed to drive vehicles exclusively with a round steering wheel. At first glance, such a decoding seems stupid, since it is quite difficult to find a steering wheel of a different shape.

But if we are talking about motorcycles and light trucks built on an automobile base (ATVs, rickshaws, snowmobiles, loaders and hoists), then for them an arched or elongated steering wheel is considered the norm. Therefore, for the listed categories of vehicles, the mentioned restriction is applied most often.

In what cases should I put

The symbols AS on the license are literally translated as automotive steering, which means an automobile type of steering. This means that these signs will be placed under the corresponding types of vehicles (A and B1). Moreover, this restriction is established solely at the request of the owner of the crust. After all, without such a mark he will not be able to get behind the wheel of some ATVs and loaders, even if he has certain skills.

The amount of the fine is determined by the legislative bodies of the Russian Federation

The Code of Administrative Offences, in its sanctions, motivates drivers to be attentive to the valid marks on their driver’s license.
Judging by the size of the established fines, the legislator considers compliance by drivers with existing restrictions very important:

1. Driving a vehicle without the required category E label. In this case, an administrative type of liability is provided, providing for a fine of up to 15,000 rubles.
2. Ignoring the instructions of the medical board. In the event of an accident, the driver of any vehicle will bear criminal liability. If there was no accident, the car owner will pay a fine of 5,000-15,000 rubles.
3. If a driver gets behind the wheel of a car with a manual transmission, having the right to drive a vehicle only with an automatic transmission, this is equivalent to driving without the right to drive a vehicle.
4. If a driver who does not have permission to drive a manual vehicle gets behind the wheel of such a car, this is equivalent to driving without a license.

Ignoring other marks provided for in the driving license, in any case, involves an administrative fine. By a court decision, the violator may be sentenced to correctional labor, as well as arrest for fifteen days.

The format of driving documents is constantly changing. But ignorance of innovations and new rules is not a basis for exemption from liability.

AS in driving license category B1

We found out what the AS mark in paragraph 12 of the driver’s license means. But not many people know why it is most often placed under category B1, since this class of vehicle appeared in the licenses quite recently. In order to understand the relationship between the two mentioned designations, you need to consider in advance which transport falls under point B1.

What vehicles are included in this subcategory?

In accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, a group of self-propelled vehicles marked B1 can be opened by anyone over 18 years of age. The following vehicles fall under this classification:

• ATVs whose weight does not exceed 350 kg (the engine volume of such equipment will also be limited to 50 cubic centimeters);
• Light tricycles with a speed of no more than 50 km/h (maximum engine displacement is similar to the previous model);
• Small forklifts (including automated ones), weighing up to 550 kg and with a power unit of up to 15 kW (to drive this type of transport, in addition to a driver’s license, the driver must also have an official permit obtained from a specialized training center).

The AS mark on the driver's license will not apply to other vehicles with a motorcycle seat.

Restrictions

If the automotive steering note is located exclusively opposite category B1, then the following types of vehicles will be subject to the restriction:

• Two-wheeled mopeds and scooters (marked as M on the driver's license);
• Heavy motorcycles and rickshaws (on the new VU are located under the abbreviation A);
• Compact cars with a motorcycle-like seating position and appropriate steering.

Attention! Driving of the listed groups of vehicles, with the AS mark on the driver's license, is strictly prohibited.

But most inspectors do not pay attention to the special designations numbered 12 and 14. Therefore, in practice, citizens driving an inappropriate category of transport rarely receive a fine.

AS in paragraph 12 of the driver's license

It is noteworthy that the AS mark is affixed only if the person has open category B.

In a license with two open categories (simultaneously and B), it is impossible to find this abbreviation.

The presence of the AS mark in point 12 of the license allows you to drive a car-type vehicle with a chair-like seat and a round steering wheel.

In other words, the car seat must have a backrest and the steering wheel must be round. So, if category B is open and there are no marks, the driver can only drive the car. But as soon as the AS mark appears on the document, the same person can switch to an ATV, and without violating the current legislation.

It is worth noting that the AS mark does not apply to vehicles with an automatic transmission. Therefore, before you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you should carefully read your license and the marks on it. Ignorance of this or that designation can play a cruel joke on the driver.

If, upon meeting with a traffic police officer, it turns out that the vehicle does not fall under the open category, the person will be punished in the form of a fine (the amount of the penalty is in the range of 5-15 thousand rubles). In addition, the vehicle may be sent to an impound lot, which will lead to additional costs.

Possible misconceptions

The most common misconception among motorists is that they incorrectly decipher the abbreviation AS, mistaking this inscription for a designation of the type of gearbox (automatic transmission). But in reality, these two marks convey completely different information.

Such errors in their understanding can cost the motorist good money (from 5 to 15 thousand rubles), which will be spent on paying for the regulations. Although in fact, even traffic police officers do not always guess what AS means on a driver’s license.

Where is o placed?

A mark is placed on the driver’s license opposite category B1 if the driver has opened sections B and B1, but does not have section A.

This mark means that the driver cannot drive vehicles that are included in driver's license A.

Starting from 2021, driver’s licenses on the back of the document contain two columns of “Special notes” (10th and 11th column), as well as the outermost column (12th column), where restrictions on certain categories of vehicles are noted .

If the AS mark is in the 12th column in the line of the “B1” subcategory, this means that the driver can drive motorcycles and tricycles with a car-type steering wheel, where there is a steering wheel.

In addition, such motorists are allowed to drive two-wheeled vehicles with a car-like seating position. In other words, you can drive motorcycles that have the same seat as cars.

Fines for using a driving license without taking into account the specified notes

When driving an ATV or any other vehicle with a motorcycle handlebar and seating position, having an AS restriction in place, the driver risks running into the following administrative penalties provided for by the Code of Administrative Offenses:

• A financial penalty in the amount of 5,000 rubles (if the illegal act is repeated, the fine triples);
• Deprivation of rights for up to 3 months (an extreme measure that applies to persistent violators).

Advice! Therefore, it is better to learn the designation of abbreviations in the new crust in advance, since otherwise it will not be possible to avoid wasting money.

We learned what AS stands for on a driver's license and what categories it most often applies to. In conclusion, it is worth adding that replacing the old VU is only a matter of time. This means that every motorist will have to remember the decoding of special notes.

What other marks are there?

Section 12 also specifies restrictions on the validity of a driver’s license in the relevant categories and subcategories of vehicles:

• AT - for those who are given control of vehicles equipped with an automatic gearbox;

  

• MS (in category A1) – approved to drive a vehicle only with a motorcycle handlebar and seating position in the presence of category A and the absence of category B;
• ML (in category M) – in the presence of medical restrictions.

  

Additionally, for medical reasons, the following designations may be indicated in section 14 of rights:

• MC – manual control;
• AT – control of vehicles with automatic transmission;
• APS - the car must be equipped with an acoustic parking system;
• GCL – the driver can drive only with the use of vision-correcting medical devices;

  

• CF/HA - the driver can drive only with the use of hearing-correcting medical devices.

Those who receive a driver's license (DP) for the first time are interested in the question: what does the AS mark on a driver's license mean? Such questions are quite legitimate, since the new type of electronic devices contain a number of incomprehensible designations. Let’s say right away that this is due to the fact that the Legislation has undergone some changes due to the emergence of certain categories that were not previously used at all in Russia.

Where is o placed?

Alas, the AS mark on a driver’s license is far from the only innovation that raises questions. Most other notes are also placed in the twelfth restrictive column. And only if you have all categories open without exception, you don’t have to worry about this - column 12 will be pristine.

Let's consider two more notes that were not previously present in the rights:

• MS – is indicated in the presence of categories B1/A and the absence of category B;
• ML – indicates the driver’s driving limitations due to his health condition.

The first mark means that he cannot drive passenger cars, since there is no basic category B. But he is allowed to drive motorcycles or tricycles, but only with a motorcycle seat and an appropriate steering wheel. If you have a round steering wheel and automatic seating (a chair with a backrest), you already risk running into a fine.

Note also that if category B is closed, you may have other categories legal, for example, C/D/DE/CE. This way you will be able to drive the appropriate vehicles.

The presence of the MS mark means that the holder of such a license will not be able to drive the most common type of transport - a passenger car. Only the opening of category B will correct the situation.

If, based on the results of the medical examination, it was determined that your health condition allows you to drive with certain restrictions, the ML mark is placed in the driving record.

The pathologies of the body that cause the ML mark include the following painful conditions:

• poor eyesight. The driver has the right to drive only with glasses or contact lenses on. In such cases, next to the abbreviation ML it is specifically stated what the driver should wear. But if, for medical reasons, he wears lenses and glasses alternately, then he is allowed to drive the car, regardless of what optical device is present on him at the moment;
• amputation of limbs implies that the driver can only drive a manually controlled car, and this is also marked accordingly;
• Hearing problems limit the driver to the mandatory wearing of a hearing aid if the abbreviation ML is present (domestic legislation does not prohibit issuing a license to a person with deafness, regardless of its degree).

If the state of health is such that a person is not able to drive a vehicle normally, he will be denied a license based on the conclusion of a medical commission.

In other words, the ML mark is essentially restrictive, but this restriction concerns the lack of appropriate technical means to correct the deficiency.

Among other new entries in the VU in the twelfth column, the following can be noted:

• AT - this abbreviation just means automatic transmission;
• duplicate stamp;
• MS – manual transmission;
• GCL – presence of lenses or frames of glasses;
• mandatory medical certificate;
• presence of manual control in the vehicle;
• APS – sound parking sensors are required;
• driving experience;
• HA/CF – presence of a hearing aid;
• blood type.

Many drivers who have received a new driver’s license find special marks in column 12, expressed in letters:

• AS – allows driving vehicles with a car seat and a car-type steering wheel;
• MS - allows you to drive a vehicle with a motorcycle seat and a steering wheel similar to a motorcycle's controls.

If previously only category A was opened, giving the right to drive motorcycles, but in the new document category B1 will be opened with the mark MS.

Also, the driver’s license may contain restrictions and additions specified in line 14.

The most common ones include:

1. AT - the driver has the right to drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and cannot drive vehicles with manual transmissions. This restriction is imposed if the training and passing the exam took place in a car with an automatic transmission. There are no restrictions when training in mechanics, that is, the driver can operate any vehicle, regardless of the type of gearbox.
2. Duplicate. The mark is present when a driver’s license is replaced due to loss or in case of theft.
3. Mandatory medical certificate.
   This mark means that the driver's license is valid only with a valid medical certificate. Such a restriction can be established in case of health problems in which the vehicle can be driven, but constant monitoring is required. When checking documents, a traffic police officer has the right to demand to see a medical report and, in its absence, to remove the driver from driving.
4. Glasses or lenses. The corresponding icon indicates that you can drive a vehicle only if you have vision correction devices. This requirement is based on the conclusion of an ophthalmologist who revealed deviations in vision from the norm. The photograph on the license must also include glasses (lenses).
5. Manual control. The mark on the license is placed on the basis of the conclusion of the medical commission, and after the car has been re-equipped. Necessary for people with health problems (disabled people).

The symbols AS are written on the licenses of those drivers who are allowed to drive vehicles from class B and subclass B1. However, their license does not contain permission to drive motorcycles from class A. Simply put, this mark is needed to indicate that although the driver has the right to drive ATVs or quadricycles, but only those types that are equipped with a car steering wheel. Since he did not learn how to ride a motorcycle or moped.

The opposite is also true. An additional MS label is given to those drivers who learned to ride motorcycles with their control system.

Since the AS value is most often placed together with the B1 subgroup, we list the types of vehicles that can be driven from this category:

• light quadricycles weighing from 350 kg and speed not exceeding 50 km/h;
• tricycles with the same parameters;
• heavier quadricycles weighing up to 400 kg and speeds up to 25 km/h.

Accordingly, all these vehicles are required to have car steering if the license is marked AS. If they have a different type of control, then they must put MS in the rights.

For ATVs (note the difference of one letter!), riding which is prohibited within populated areas, you will need a license with group A1. Most likely, it is on such driver’s licenses that the designation MS will appear.

You must remember that driving a vehicle from a category for which you do not have permission is prohibited. And this is punished quite severely, just like driving without a license at all.

In the 12th column, in addition to the AS mark, there may be other designations, for example, MS. The abbreviation stands for Motorcycle Steering (translated from English as “motorcycle steering”). It means the ability to drive two-wheeled vehicles only with a motorcycle-type steering wheel and an appropriate seating position.

The MS mark is placed only if only category “A”, “A1” is open. If both categories are available to the motorist, no designations are indicated.

For more information about what other marks are placed in the 12th column, read the help.

The driver, after receiving a license and has category A closed in his documents, may notice the indicated mark on the back of the certificate. The motorist has the right to drive motorcycles and tricycles only if they have a steering wheel. Moreover, such motorists may be allowed by law to drive even two-wheeled vehicles, but the type of seating must be a car version. In simple terms, the driver gets the right to drive motorcycles, but only those types that have a seat similar to that of a motor vehicle.

This column may contain special notes, including not only AS, but MS. This note is characterized differently, since it means independent control of a vehicle with two wheels, but with steering – like a motorcycle. Also, there must be an appropriate fit.

Otherwise, he faces a fine. There are times when a driver’s license is accidentally lost, but in this case, the license is restored; a special note about this must be placed in a certain column.

There is a special explanation of the above information, which is laid out in the legislative act. As a rule, it is not always possible for an ordinary driver to independently understand all the special symbols that are indicated on the driver’s license. That is why it is worthwhile to carefully and correctly understand such information so that MREO employees do not accidentally fine you for something that you did not even understand. After all, ignorance of this or that legal norm, including the designations on the driver’s license, does not exempt you from liability.

There may be other notes on the driver's license that are also important. That is why, given the above information, it is important to understand about the marks that appear on the driver's license.

In another case, when driving vehicles that the driver does not have the right to drive, you will have to communicate with representatives of the MREO, as well as bear the corresponding responsibility regarding the legislation of the country. Such moments are quite different, depending on the severity of the offense, and in our case, on the type of vehicle the driver was driving.

Each case when marks are placed on a driver’s license must be considered individually, because everything depends on the norms of the law. That is why, immediately after obtaining a license, experts recommend paying attention to all symbols, as well as special marks that may be on the driver’s license.

What else may be in column 12

AS is not the only mark that can appear in box 12 on your driver's license. The appearance of marks depends on the categories opened by the driver. If you have all categories open, there will be no marks in column 12.

The mark means that the driver does not have the right to drive passenger cars, because his port B is not open. But at the same time, the driver has ports A and B1 open.

But the absence of k-i B, which opens up the possibility of driving passenger cars, does not automatically mean that the driver cannot drive other types of cars.

So, even in the absence of k-and B, the driver can have open k-and C (driving trucks), D (driving buses), CE and DE (driving trucks and buses with trailers, respectively).

So, with the MS mark, the driver can drive the following types of transport if there are appropriate categories:

1. Motorcycles, tricycles and mopeds.
2. Buses and minibuses.
3. Trolleybuses and trams.
4. Trucks.
5. Vehicles with a trailer.

But until box B is opened, the MS mark will be present on the driver’s license. This means that the driver does not have the right to drive the most common type of vehicle - a passenger car weighing up to 750 tons.

Mark ML

The ML mark will necessarily be present on the driver’s license of a driver who, based on the results of a medical examination, has been recognized as having certain restrictions in driving a vehicle due to health reasons. All medical restrictions are directly related to the pathologies that the driver has.

If one of the pathologies may prevent the driver from controlling the situation on the road and driving safely, an ML mark will be placed on his driver’s license.

If there are pathologies that are found to be incompatible with the ability to normally drive a vehicle, the issuance of a driver’s license will be denied. Therefore, if you have a driver's license with the ML stamp, you can drive a car freely.