Police Denies Artsakh Residents the Right to Renew Driver's Licenses but Issues Fines for Non-Renewal

The police are denying Artsakh residents the opportunity to renew their driver's licenses while simultaneously fining them for not renewing.

Drivers from Artsakh are being penalized in Armenia not only for lacking compulsory insurance but also for expired driver's licenses. Considering that every individual is given the opportunity to obtain insurance in our country, it is highly unreasonable to subject Artsakh citizens to administrative liability for expired driver's licenses.

Auroranews learned from Tigran Keian, head of the NGO 'Driver's Friend', that numerous Artsakh residents have approached them regarding fines for expired driver's licenses. 'An Artsakh driver is fined for having an expired driver's license, which is very wrong. People cannot do anything about this; citizens registered in Artsakh cannot renew their driver's licenses because there is no such database in Armenia,' Tigran Keian stated.

Keian mentioned that a week ago, citizens from Artsakh approached the 'Driver's Friend' NGO stating that their application for license renewal was rejected by the Armenian police on the grounds that they do not have Armenian registration, and that they cannot renew their licenses with their Artsakh registration. 'In this regard, the government needs to take immediate action,' Keian emphasized.

Regarding the compulsory insurance, according to Keian, the police should initially warn individuals rather than impose administrative penalties on displaced persons.

It is noteworthy that the police responded to our inquiry regarding the issue of fines for Artsakh drivers: 'Taking into account the need to maintain public order, as well as ensure the safety of displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has emphasized not penalizing but informing, implementing precautionary measures. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has long been operating with this approach. Only after this has the question of imposing administrative liability been considered, taking into account the need to ensure road safety for all participants in traffic.'

Auroranews also contacted the Armenian government regarding this issue, from where we were informed that all relevant bodies are aware of the matter and are trying to find solutions and exits.