The Issue of Right-Hand Drive Vehicles Resolved: How to Import and Operate Them

The Deputy Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies of Armenia, Bagrat Badalyan, presented a proposal at today's government session regarding amendments to the decision No. 1359-N dated November 19, 2015, by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. This proposal concerns the importation of vehicles with a right-hand drive configuration into the territory of Armenia under the customs procedure 'Processing for Internal Consumption.'

He noted that the customs procedure would allow for the importation of vehicles with a right-hand drive system without the need for retooling. Within a period of up to six months, these vehicles could have their right-hand drive system replaced with a left-hand drive system, followed by customs clearance in accordance with Armenian legislation, and subsequently be registered with the Armenian police for free operation within the territory of Armenia.

The deadline for importing light passenger vehicles with a right-hand drive configuration under the customs procedure 'Processing for Internal Consumption' is set for March 1, 2019.

Acting First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyan clarified that vehicles that are currently held up and those that reach the customs checkpoint by March 1 will have the opportunity to switch the steering mechanism and operate them under this mechanism.

The deputy minister stated, 'The importers who are at the customs checkpoint have agreed that this is the last batch granted the opportunity for customs clearance.'

Tigran Avinyan also responded, indicating that this regulation will remain in effect until March 1, 2019, and stressed the importance of informing the public that the ban will continue to be enforced after this date.