Since the beginning of 2024, MVS service centers in Ukraine have issued 180,281 driver’s licenses for the first time. The most popular among new drivers is category B, which allows driving passenger cars weighing up to 3.5 tons. However, many drivers, after obtaining their initial license, choose to open additional categories to be able to drive trucks, buses, or motorcycles. Since the start of this year, 40,100 driver’s licenses have been issued for opening higher categories, and 23,434 for lower categories.
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Citizens often ask what the conditions are and how long training takes to obtain additional categories.
Conditions and training terms
In Ukraine, to obtain an additional category, a driver must undergo training at an accredited driving school. The duration of this training depends on the category chosen, which defines the type of vehicle the driver will be able to operate after obtaining the new license. There are more than ten categories for drivers in Ukraine, and each has its own training requirements.
Theoretical training
The theoretical part of the training includes learning traffic rules, safety basics, and other important aspects of driving. The number of hours varies depending on the category you wish to obtain:
- A, A1, B1 — 61 hours;
- B — 64 hours;
- C, C1 (initial training) — 74 hours;
- C, C1 (retraining) — 42 hours;
- D, D1 (retraining) — 46 hours;
- BE, CE, C1E, DE, D1E (retraining) — 37 hours.
It is worth noting that the theoretical part can be studied independently to pass the theoretical exam at the MVS service center.
Practical training
Practical training at a driving school involves driving a vehicle under the supervision of an instructor. As with the theoretical part, the duration of practical training depends on the category:
- A, A1 — 43 hours;
- B1 — 40 hours;
- B — 40 hours (38 hours for cars with an automatic transmission);
- C, C1 (initial training) — 56 hours (51 hours for cars with an automatic transmission);
- C, C1 (retraining) — 27 hours (24 hours for cars with an automatic transmission);
- D, D1 (retraining) — 27 hours;
- BE, CE, C1E, DE, D1E (retraining) — 13 hours.
For drivers who already have higher categories, opening lower categories requires a training drive of 17 hours.
Training duration
The minimum duration for theoretical and practical training in a driving school is at least 3-4 weeks. The total duration of the course depends on the chosen category and your previous driving experience.
The process of obtaining a driver’s license
To obtain an additional category, several steps must be completed:
- Theoretical exam — taken at the MVS service center after completing the theoretical part of the course.
- Practical training — conducted at an accredited driving school.
- Internal driving exam — taken at the driving school after completing the practical training.
- Practical exam — taken at the MVS service center, where your ability to drive safely will be assessed.
Conclusion
Obtaining a driver’s license with a new category requires completing training at a driving school, passing theoretical and practical exams, and fulfilling additional requirements if they apply for opening higher or lower categories. This is not a very lengthy process, but it requires serious preparation and attention to the training.
A list of accredited driving schools, where you can take the training course, is available on the website of the Main Service Center of the MVS.
