The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) is tightening regulations for drivers engaged in domestic on-demand passenger and freight transportation in Azerbaijan. During today's plenary session, amendments to the Law "On Automobile Transport" were adopted in the first reading, significantly expanding the list of documents required for drivers to obtain operating permits.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the new legislation focuses on enhancing safety standards across the transport sector. Under the new regulations, drivers must provide official medical certification confirming they have undergone testing for drug addiction and the consumption of psychotropic substances. This move aims to ensure that those responsible for public and commercial transport meet strict health and sobriety standards.
Technical safety has also been prioritized in the legislative update. Drivers will now be required to present documents confirming pre-trip technical inspections of their vehicles and pre-trip medical examinations. In cases where drivers do not have internal facilities for these checks, they must provide formal contracts with authorized technical service centers and medical points. Furthermore, mandatory insurance requirements have been intensified, including personal accident insurance for passengers, compulsory civil liability insurance for vehicle owners, and mandatory insurance against industrial accidents and occupational diseases for the drivers themselves.
Context and Significance
The tightening of these regulations comes as Azerbaijan seeks to modernize its transport infrastructure and align its safety protocols with international standards. Historically, the requirements for domestic on-demand transport were largely informational, involving basic tax identification (VÖEN) and vehicle registration. However, the increasing demand for irregular passenger transport has led to a rise in serious traffic accidents, prompting the government to take proactive measures.
Data from the "AYNA" (Azerbaijan Yerüstü Nəqliyyat Agentliyi) information system reveals the scale of the sector. Currently, 3,764 admission certificates and 6,322 admission cards have been issued for domestic irregular passenger transport. In the freight sector, the numbers are even higher, with 14,120 admission certificates and 43,135 admission cards registered. Despite these numbers, the aging fleet remains a concern; the average age of vehicles used in on-demand transport is 17.6 years. The new law addresses this by imposing stricter technical and aesthetic standards, ensuring that buses carrying more than 10 passengers meet the same rigorous safety criteria as smaller taxi services.
