Drivers Working in Certain Categories to Undergo Professional Qualification Courses

Changes are set to be made to the "Law on Automobile Transport" to establish specific provisions for drivers working in categories C, D, CE, DE, C1E, and D1E engaged in both domestic and international freight and passenger transportation. This was announced by Armen Simonian, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, during a press briefing at the Armenpress press hall.

"Organizations conducting international passenger and freight transportation must meet certain international requirements. They need to demonstrate financial stability and good reputation, which, according to European standards, means that drivers should not have excessive fines and should not be involved in illegal activities. A decline in the good reputation of a passenger or freight transportation company’s manager may impact the authorized body’s decision to grant that company freight transportation rights," Simonian noted.

Thus, the proposed amendments to the "Law on Automobile Transport" will establish specific provisions for drivers working in the mentioned categories engaged in both domestic and international freight and passenger transportation.

According to him, these drivers will be required to complete preliminary professional qualification courses, culminating in an examination. Upon successfully passing this examination, they will receive international qualification certificates.

"After that, these drivers will undergo retraining once every five years, which will be noted on the international qualification certificate. Under the program, drivers must master the procedures for crossing thresholds set by various international agreements, as well as how to transport persons with limited mobility or to handle loading and unloading operations," the Deputy Minister emphasized.

He assured that such changes would only stimulate and diversify the entrance of freight carriers into various markets.