No Plastic Card: Drivers Report Ongoing Issues with Driving License Documentation

For an extended period, drivers have been complaining that instead of receiving a plastic card for their driving licenses, they are being issued a temporary A4 paper document. This temporary paper, which serves as a substitute for the driving license, is valid for a period of one to two months. One driver mentioned in an interview with Channel 5 that the validity of the paper they received has already been extended four times by one month each time, with the most recent extension being for four months. It turns out that this citizen will not have a plastic card until July.

However, the main issue for drivers is that they cannot cross the country's borders with this paper document. The Police had previously stated on March 8 that the import of plastic cards was just a matter of days. More than a month has passed since that timeframe, but the issue has still not been resolved.

Tigran Keyan, the president of the Drivers' Association NGO, also addressed the problem, saying: "Dear Government of Armenia and Armenian Police, if you are not aware, let me inform you that there are major companies in Armenia specializing in plastic production, and as a result of your irresponsible actions, taxpayers in Armenia are facing unnecessary troubles. On behalf of the taxpayers of Armenia, I demand immediate action to resolve the issue regarding the plastic driving licenses and vehicle registration documents."

Auroranews.am has learned from Zardand Gabrielian, the head of the Police's Media Relations Division, that due to technical issues, the supply of plastic cards has not yet been carried out, and it is unclear when this will happen or when the cards will become available.

Regarding drivers wishing to leave the country, the police stated that they can obtain plastic cards: "They need to apply, and according to the procedure, they will be provided with them." In relation to Keyan's statement, we inquired whether they are aware of the plastic manufacturing companies operating in Armenia, and if so, why these companies are not engaged in the supply of plastics. In response, Gabrielian urged that the inquiry be sent in written form.