What new document must drivers from Ukraine have to cross the border?

What new document must drivers from Ukraine have to cross the border?

Ukraine is transitioning to the European standard for licensing freight transportation. For this reason, in 2025, all drivers performing international transportation will be required to obtain a new certificate – a driver qualification card ("code 095").

This was reported by the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development. The ministry emphasized that this will improve the quality and safety of transportation and ensure Ukraine’s European integration in the field of transport.

"The updated procedure for licensing carriers in June 2024, among other things, provides for mandatory special training for drivers performing international freight or passenger transport. This involves obtaining the so-called "code 95", which certifies the professional competence of the driver," stated the ministry.

What is "code 095"?

The driver qualification card ("code 095") is an official confirmation that the driver has the necessary qualifications to carry out freight transportation with a mass over 3.5 tons for categories "C", "D", and "E". The driver receives this certificate after successfully completing special courses.

The training lasts 4-8 weeks for drivers who obtained their driver’s license after 2021, while for others it will take one week. Most of the courses are conducted online. Certificates can be obtained at any of the 21 certified training centers in ten regions, specifically in:

• Kyiv region;
• Lviv region;
• Odesa region;
• Dnipropetrovsk region;
• Kharkiv region;
• Vinnytsia region;
• Rivne region;
• Zakarpattya region;
• Chernihiv region;
• Chernivtsi region.

This document will become mandatory on August 20, 2025. It is issued in the form of a plastic card and is valid for 5 years. Currently, "code 095" has already been issued to 13 thousand drivers – the corresponding information has been entered into the electronic driver registry.

In addition to bringing carrier licensing in line with European Union standards, this document confirms the presence of appropriate skills and knowledge in drivers, promotes traffic safety, and helps avoid unnecessary difficulties during loading, unloading, and carrying out transportation.