Mandatory replacement of driver's licenses when changing surname in 2021

The most important thing about changing your name when changing your last name

Let's highlight a few points that directly follow from the legislation relevant for 2021. They are simple, but very important!

1. There is a difference between a driving license and a driver's license. The first is given to you once in your life and is with you forever (except in cases of deprivation). The second, as a document, only confirms such a right.
2. But if you do not have a license with you, then the fine for lack of driving rights is illegal. The only exceptions are 3 cases that are directly stated in the Federal Law on Road Safety: when the validity of the document has expired, if you have been deprived of it, or when contraindications to driving a car are identified.
3. Last name is an object of personal data; The 2021 legislation does not specify whether it is necessary to change rights when changing your last name, but speaks specifically about personal data, and your full name is among them.

So, we have found out the basic principles of understanding the right of management. Now let's move on to the questions and answers!

How much time does a driver have to change his license?

If, when changing your last name, you need to replace your passport within 30 days, then with your rights everything is much more complicated. When changing a surname, a person has only 10 days left. Therefore, a very confusing situation often occurs, because the replacement of rights is done only if you have a new passport, which displays all changes in personal data.

Many are in a dead end situation in this case, because the production of a new passport also takes some time. This does not make it possible to meet the 10-day deadline for changing rights. Most drivers prefer not to take risks, postponing trips until they receive new documents. Sometimes this is impossible to do, then it is worth making an additional payment for the urgency of preparing documents, if such a service is provided in the region where the driver is registered.

Replacing rights when changing personal data may seem like a complicated and unpleasant procedure, but it must be completed as soon as possible. This will make it possible to save the driver from many troubles associated with paying significant fines, tow truck services and keeping the car at a fine site. The authorities are striving to make the procedure for obtaining a new document simpler and more convenient for the driver. In most cases, they manage to implement this. By following all the points of the traffic rules, the motorist will make his life easier and make his movement on the country’s roads more comfortable.

If you changed your last name, do you need to change your license?

Yes. This is required by law. Thus, Government Decree No. 1097 says the following:

35. A Russian national or international driver's license is considered invalid and subject to cancellation in the following cases:

• ….
• b) if the personal data of its owner contained in the driver’s license has changed;

Thus, if the surname is changed, the driver’s license becomes invalid, and it is necessary to change it - regardless of whether it happened after marriage, at the request of the owner of the license, or for other reasons.

How to change your driver's license?

The main document intended for driving a car is a driver's license (DL).
It, like the passport, must be replaced if its expiration date expires (after approximately ten years). Well, or, for example, due to damage to a document, when changing the surname or other information of the owner.

As noted earlier, after the ten-year validity period of a driver’s license expires, this document becomes invalid and must be replaced. But, there are certain exceptions to the rules.

Persons temporarily residing in the territory of the Russian Federation who do not have a foreign national driver’s license are obliged, under general conditions, to acquire this Russian-style document for the duration of the registration of their documentation with the right to stay in the territory of our country.

Passing all the necessary exams to obtain a license, issuing and changing documents is carried out at the traffic police department in the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation where the person was registered at the place of residence.

Let's take a closer look at the procedure for replacing a driver's license: first of all, you need to collect a package of necessary documents. This must be done in advance. It is advisable to think about this before the expiration date expires.

In this case, you need to take with you a package of the following documents:

1. a written application for replacement of rights (you can write it on site at the department where you applied);
2. passport and its copy. You can also bring another identification document;
3. paper that confirms the fact of your registration at your immediate place of residence or stay;
4. a document confirming completion of training and a copy thereof (in addition to those citizens who underwent so-called individual training before 2013);
5. a certificate from the nearest hospital, which confirms that a citizen of the Russian Federation is fit to drive vehicles of one category or another. It is very important that this paper is provided from your local clinic. If you ignore this recommendation, then, in addition to the certificate, they may also require a photocopy of the license of the organization that you need to find. In some cases, a procedure has been introduced to certify photocopies of certificates;
6. driver's license, if issued a little earlier;
7. a relevant certificate stating that you have not previously been deprived of the right to drive a vehicle;
8. a receipt confirming payment of the state fee for obtaining a new certificate;
9. three ordinary standard photographs of 3x4 size (except for cases of automated production of rights).

If you have forgotten that it is time to change your license, then you need to go to the traffic police on foot or by public transport, but under no circumstances in your car, as you risk getting a fine.

Let's take a closer look at exactly what documents are needed to replace (activate) a certificate in the new year on the territory of our state.
The first step is to submit the appropriate application for a replacement driver’s license, which is issued for completion on the spot.
You can learn more about this procedure at your local traffic police office. The document itself will consist of two pages.

It is necessary to indicate personal data, as well as information available in your passport. Among other things, you also need to indicate the reason for the replacement and basic information about the VU.

The inspector will make the appropriate marks. You need to remember that a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation is considered a mandatory document necessary to confirm your identity. It must be valid. You also need to make a photocopy of it.

These documents must be presented at the traffic police department. Documentation confirming registration is just a stamp in the passport. Those individuals who do not have registration at their place of stay should definitely register it. This is explained by the fact that the traffic police will require it from you.

It is important to remember that a medical certificate must be in the established form, which must be clarified with the relevant authorities.

It is necessary to exchange a driver’s license, as it confirms admission to driving. You need to remember that this document is issued for a period of three years (only for representatives of both sexes who are under fifty-five years old).

But as for older drivers, who are over fifty years old, they are issued this certificate only for a couple of years. If there are restrictions due to health reasons, this document is issued only for one year.

It is also very important to obtain proof of completion of the relevant training. This is a special driver's card that shows the fact that you have completed training at school. It looks like a small book with only two pages.

This includes your correct initials, date of training, name of driving school, as well as the full hours and number of points received on the final exam. This document is not mandatory for the exchange of a certificate, but for personal peace of mind it can be provided to the traffic police authorities.

You also need to bring your invalid license. Only if they are available will you be able to get new ones. A receipt for payment of the state fee must also be attached to the package of documents. If you wish, you can also pay the state tax online on the official website of the traffic police.

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What's the penalty if you don't change it?

Please note that in the interpretation of the PPRF above there is no talk about the obligation to change a driver’s license. It only says that it is declared invalid. Therefore, there is no penalty for the very absence of the fact of changing rights. But that is until you get behind the wheel and are stopped by a traffic police officer.

And if I get behind the wheel, is my current license valid?

And in this case, according to the law, a sanction must be applied under Part 2 of Article 12.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses in the form of a warning or a fine of 500 rubles for the fact that your current rights are invalid.

Why are we talking about legality? Because in practice, there are often situations when an employee is charged a larger fine - under Part 1 of Article 12.7 as for lack of management rights (remember, we already read about the difference above and therefore understand why this is illegal?). And in this case, the amount of liability is already 5-15,000 rubles. But such fines can be easily appealed.

Is there a way to avoid a fine?

Yes. Let's say you changed your last name and, in connection with this, replaced your passport, where you have new personal data. But clause 2.1.1 of the traffic rules requires, at the request of the traffic police inspector, to present and submit for inspection 3 documents:

• driver's license,
• car registration certificate,
• OSAGO insurance policy.

Looking at these documents, he will see your old last name, if you have not yet changed your registration name after marriage, for example. But the employee does not know about the fact of marriage, which is registered in the passport, which, in turn, you have no obligation to present - even at the request of this employee.

Thus, if you yourself do not inform the traffic police officer that you did not have time to replace your license due to a change of name, then he will not find out about the violation - driving without a valid license and will not issue a decree with a fine.

But this way to avoid a fine is impossible if:

• you managed to change your MTPL insurance (and are entered there with a new last name as an approved driver, or as an owner or policyholder in the appropriate columns),
• if you forgot your license at home, in this case the inspector has the right to demand your passport if you violated something.

Are maiden name rights valid?

The current legislation has certain amendments, according to which every citizen of the Russian Federation is obliged to immediately change his identification card after changing individual information (in this case, last name). If this is not done, it will be considered invalid.

A Russian ID, like an international ID, is considered invalid in the following cases:

1. if the validity period of this document has long expired;
2. if the personal data in the ID has been changed;
3. if the document has become unusable for subsequent use due to wear and tear. Especially if traces of damage are found. As a rule, a document must be replaced immediately if the information contained in it is difficult to read;
4. if the certificate was obtained on the basis of the presentation of certain documents that were declared counterfeit. Or, for example, the registration process was carried out in violation of the procedure established by the rules;
5. It is important to note that if the relevant authorities receive a statement about the loss (theft) of the ID, the document will be officially declared invalid. And the violator will suffer the punishment prescribed for this criminal case;
6. If a person has received new rights, then the old ones will automatically be considered invalid.

If a citizen continues to drive vehicles despite the invalidity of his license, he may face a rather serious fine. In addition, he will receive the detention of the car and transport it to the impound lot, but monetary compensation to the state must still be paid.

What are the deadlines?

There is none of them. As we mentioned above, in this case you will have difficulties driving a car legally. But if you don’t drive, then you won’t be required to pay either a fine or additional payments for government services.

This even applies to the case when you won’t drive for a very long time and your license has expired (its validity period is 10 years), or if you think for a very long time whether to change your driver’s license after changing your last name.

How much do the rights themselves change?

Replacement, as a rule, occurs on the same day of application. If you sign up and submit an application through the State Services portal, you can even choose a convenient time for your visit (from free ranges).

However, this applies to all methods where you can change rights:

• to the traffic police in person,
• in the traffic police when registering through State Services,
• at the MFC.

Below we will look at the detailed procedure for obtaining a new certificate in our case.

Where can I get a new ID?

To obtain a new license, a motorist can personally visit a traffic police department, a multifunctional center, or submit an application through the State Services portal. You are allowed to choose any division of the city traffic police, regardless of place of registration or temporary registration. Each option has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages:

1. By contacting the State Traffic Inspectorate directly, the citizen will receive a driving license on the same day. On average, the procedure takes about an hour, but due to queues it may take longer
2. It’s easy to sign up for a multifunctional center in the near future, but you’ll have to wait longer for a license, up to 10 calendar days
3. By choosing State Services, you can submit an application remotely and make an appointment without visiting a branch, pay a state fee at a discount, and receive services without queuing. The disadvantage is the need to register on the site. It may take about a week to confirm a citizen’s data and gain access to the full functionality of the service.

What documents will be required?

To change rights when changing your last name, you need 4 documents:

• Your passport,
• old driver's license (optional),
• medical certificate (conditional),
• receipt of payment of state duty.

Due to the fact that the exchange of rights when changing personal data as a public service is similar to the replacement in case of loss or damage to a driver’s license, the same requirements apply, so you need to present your old driver’s license only if you have one.

Please note that your passport must be replaced before changing your license. That is, your current passport should already have a new surname.

But a marriage certificate will not be required if the exchange is made in connection with marriage. There is no such requirement in the regulations for the provision of state services - you ask.

What needs to be shown in the appeal?

When replacing rights when changing your data, you must submit a correctly drawn up application.

It should contain the following information:

• name of the authority to which the appeal is submitted,
• modified personal data (full name),
• the date and city of birth indicated in the passport,
• registration data,
• information about the new passport,
• reason for changing rights,
• information from an old and no longer valid driver’s license,
• list of all documents,
• date of compilation and signature of the person applying.

Is a medical certificate required?

It is also not mandatory in 2021. But there is an important “but”! Depending on its availability, the validity period of a new license may vary:

• if you provide a valid certificate, you will be given a new license upon receipt for a period of 10 years,
• if you decide not to bother going through a medical examination, then the validity period of the new driver’s license will be the same as the old one.

This is stated in paragraph 32 of PPRF No. 1097.

Please note that according to the new rules, the validity of a medical certificate is 12 months. Your certificate is considered valid if no more than a year has passed since the date of the medical examination. And, accordingly, you must get a new one if it is older than a year.

How to change? The procedure for obtaining new rights

As we already wrote above, there are 3 ways where you can change your registration number: MFC, by personally contacting the traffic police or through State Services. Below we will provide instructions on the procedure for replacing rights when changing your last name through State Services; other methods are similar to this with minor differences, which we will also describe.

Through State Services

In this way, you formally receive a service from the traffic police department, you simply submit an application through State Services and, if you wish, pay the state fee there (at a discount).

1. In order to change your driver’s license when changing your last name through State Services, log in to the portal and then go sequentially (or via the last link in the chain) to the sections Transport and driving → Driver’s license → Replacing a driver’s license when changing the owner’s data, loss or unsuitability.

2. Click on the “Get service” link.

3. A form will open for you to fill out. Enter the following information into it:

1. your personal data (full name, including new surname),
2. passport details,
3. registration address (registration),
4. in the fourth block you need to select the most important thing - check the box that you are changing your rights after changing your last name:

   
   Below there will be a field for filling in your old full name.

5. If you want to get new rights for a new period of 10 years, then indicate the details of the medical certificate that you previously received after a medical examination.
6. Indicate the data and permitted categories in your license with the old surname.
7. At the last step, all you have to do is select the traffic police MREO department that is convenient for you to obtain a replacement driver’s license and the date and time of visit.

4. After filling out the application, print the provided form. Despite the direct indication in the State Services that there is no need to do this, the traffic police sometimes ask for a printout of the application.

5. Next, in the next step, you will be asked to pay the state fee online with a 30% discount.

That's all. Now, on the chosen day, all you have to do is come to the traffic police, skip the queue to the free window and get a new license.

Do I need to take photos in advance?

No. This will be done upon your arrival at the traffic police department, and it is included in the cost of the fee for issuing a new license in connection with a change of surname.

Through a personal appeal to the traffic police

This method in 2021 differs from the previous one only in the need to fill out an application yourself and submit it in line at the traffic police.

But pay attention to the additional complexity - due to the rather aggressive campaigning of State Services, the traffic police may often not accept you without an appointment through the portal - either the queue tickets will run out, or you will simply be blatantly refused to provide the service.

There is no established sample application form, but there is one recommended by the State Traffic Inspectorate. This is what we provide below for you to fill out.

• (DOCX format for machine completion).
• (PDF format).

Through MFC

Here, the provision of a service is similar to a personal application to the traffic police, with the only difference being that the application can be filled out for you.

The procedure for replacing licenses in the traffic police in 2021

By personally contacting the traffic police department, the motorist submits documents and pays the state fee. The procedure consists of several stages:

1. Submitting an application, providing the traffic police inspector with a complete package of papers
2. Photography at VU
3. Obtaining a certificate

If it is not possible to sign up through State Services, in order to avoid queues, you should take a coupon from the traffic police department. To print a coupon, you must use a self-service terminal. On the screen you should select a service, indicate your passport details, and select the appropriate time.

Please note that coupons are issued for the current day, their number is limited.

Map of traffic police departments List of addresses of the traffic police MREO for replacing a driver’s license when changing your last name

try to sign up in advance to book an exact time, places are limited

Register with the traffic police

My license is about to expire and my last name has changed - can I change it at once?

Yes. As we mentioned above, if you provide a valid medical certificate, you will receive a new license for a new 10 years. And you can replace the rights simultaneously when you change your last name and when the validity period expires.

In this case, it does not matter how much is left until the expiration date of the license. There is a myth on the Internet that supposedly rights can be exchanged for new ones no earlier than six months before the end of their validity. It is not true. You can change them even the next day after receiving them.

Documentation

In order for a driver’s license to be replaced when a last name is changed, it is necessary to collect and submit the following documentation to the traffic police :

• An application, the form of which is issued directly to the traffic police.
• A document that confirms the change of data, usually a marriage certificate.
• Passport (issued with new data).
• Previous certificate giving the ability to drive a vehicle.
• The state fee has been paid and a receipt is provided.
• Photos, this procedure is performed on site.

In addition to the package of documents, motorists are interested in the question of how much it costs to obtain a new driving license. In this case, the motorist will have to pay 2,000 rubles for a new certificate form.

As for passing a medical examination, in this case, drivers are lucky, since this procedure has been canceled since 2021. If a driver’s license is replaced at the MFC in 2021 due to a change in name, surname, or loss of the certificate, then there is no need to go through a second commission.

I have fines – will they be forced to pay?

They can force you. But this is illegal. Payment of all existing traffic police fines as a condition is mandatory only when returning the license after deprivation. When replacing rights, you do not need to do this.

If an employee prints out a list of fines for you and demands that you deal with them, indicate that you will definitely sort them out and demand that they issue you a new certificate, regardless of payment. If the employee refuses, then demand a written refusal (it is required when submitting a written or electronic application). In 99% of cases, this is where everything will end successfully for you. Otherwise, the refusal can be appealed to the court.

Submitting an application on the State Services website

To remotely submit an application and register with the Moscow MREO, you should use the State Services website. The portal is available to registered users with verified accounts. On the website you can stand in line, choose the time and place to obtain your license, and pay the state fee at a discount.

To submit an application remotely, follow the instructions:

1. Log in, enter your “personal account”
2. In category, "Driver's license"
3. Indicate the reason for obtaining new rights
4. Fill out the form with all requested data
5. Select the traffic police department where the driver's license will be reissued, the date of visit
6. Pay the state fee (by bank card or e-wallet)

Before visiting the branch, you should print out the receipt for payment of the state fee and the application filled out on the portal. Visit the selected area on time, take a photo and receive a new ID.

Please note that if the applicant is late, the appointment will be cancelled.

Important note!

• This article provides basic information, but each case is different.
• In 92% of all situations there are important nuances that can affect the outcome of the entire case.
• An experienced lawyer will study all the materials of the case and indicate in which direction to move.

Therefore, our website employs on-duty legal consultants who delve into each case and are aimed at solving it.

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The only subtlety is that if your unpaid fines fall under Article 20.25 of the Administrative Code, then directly in court a sanction in the form of arrest for up to 15 days may be applied to you (but this is also illegal).

What else is absolutely necessary after replacing your license?

There is one more important detail that many car enthusiasts forget about. If you have a limited MTPL policy with a list of approved drivers, then it will also need to be changed, since you will be given a new license with a new number, and the old one will appear in the insurance.

Failure to fulfill this obligation will not entail any recourse, much less a denial of insurance compensation. But in practice, there are often cases when, because of this, the CBM (discount for accident-free driving) was lost in the next insurance period.