Authorities in Kyrgyzstan have pushed back against reports that its newly issued driver’s licenses are being refused overseas, saying no official complaints or rejections have been received from foreign governments.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications confirmed that there have been no formal notifications from other countries regarding non-recognition of the 2025-format national licenses, calling recent claims circulating online unverified, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The clarification comes after the government rolled out a resolution to legalize the updated licenses and notify foreign states through diplomatic and consular channels.

Officials also addressed concerns from Kyrgyz citizens seeking driving jobs in the European Union, noting that rules there can vary significantly.

Under EU legislation - including Directive 2006/126/EC and Directive 2003/59/EC - licenses issued outside the bloc do not have a single unified recognition system. Instead, each country sets its own requirements, which may include:

Passing theoretical exams

Completing practical driving tests

Exchanging the license under national procedures

The ministry stressed that additional requirements, such as obtaining Code 95, are tied to professional driving qualifications, not the validity of a national license.

This certification is mandatory for commercial drivers transporting goods or passengers (categories C and D) and involves initial training plus refresher courses every five years.

Kyrgyz authorities are urging citizens to carefully review the legal requirements of host countries before pursuing driving jobs abroad, especially within the EU, where regulations differ from one state to another.