This article is also available in:
Русский (Russian) 
Uzbek
In the Tashkent region, law enforcement agencies uncovered a group of scammers who promised to help people obtain driver’s licenses for money. The price for these services started at $1,000, highlighting the high demand for “shortcuts” in the system of obtaining driver’s licenses.
How Did It Work?
Operations conducted in Pskent and Akhangaran revealed a scheme where scammers offered to help people get licenses without attending classes or taking exams. For example, in Pskent, a man was caught red-handed while trying to collect $1,000 from a citizen, promising to arrange the license through his “connections” in high-ranking positions. In Akhangaran, a similar scheme was exposed involving two local residents who demanded $1,000 and 20 million sums for the same service.
Criminal cases have been opened in all identified instances under Articles 168 (fraud) and 211 (bribery) of the Criminal Code. Investigations are currently underway to uncover all details of these crimes.
Why Do Drivers Resort to This?
Corruption and fraud in obtaining driver’s licenses are not new in Uzbekistan. Many drivers try to bypass the education and examination process for several reasons:
- Complexity of the system: In Uzbekistan, there is a widespread belief that obtaining a driver’s license through official exams is difficult and often involves bureaucratic obstacles. Some people think it is easier to pay and avoid the hassle rather than spend time preparing and repeatedly attempting the exams.
- Corruption: For a long time, corruption in the system of issuing driver’s licenses has been a problem, making people accustomed to the idea that they can “buy” a license. Despite efforts to clean up the system, old schemes continue to exist, fueled by demand from drivers.
- Lack of trust in the exam system: Many citizens feel that the examination process is not transparent and that passing the tests is difficult even with proper preparation. This pushes people to seek alternative, illegal paths.
- Laziness and unwillingness to study: For some, it’s easier to pay money than to go through the course and take exams. This also reflects the low motivation among some drivers to properly learn traffic rules.
Why Is This Dangerous?
First and foremost, such schemes result in unprepared drivers on the roads, increasing the risk of traffic accidents. Lack of knowledge of traffic rules can cost the lives of both the drivers themselves and other road users.
Secondly, these cases undermine trust in the legal system and the state examination process. When fraud becomes widespread, it weakens the authority of the government and perpetuates a cycle of corruption.
How Can This Problem Be Addressed?
To combat fraud in obtaining driver’s licenses, several important steps need to be taken. First, it is necessary to tighten control over the examination process and the issuance of licenses, eliminating any opportunities for bribery and fraud. Modern technologies, such as online monitoring of exams, could help in this area.
Second, the system needs to be made more transparent. Citizens should clearly understand how the exam process works, what rules must be followed, and exactly how licenses can be obtained. This will increase trust in the system and reduce the desire to seek illegal shortcuts.
Finally, it is important to conduct educational campaigns that emphasize the importance of proper driver training. Safe driving is not only a personal responsibility but also a social one. Awareness campaigns could change people’s attitudes toward the licensing process and motivate them to obtain their licenses legally.
Conclusion
Fraud in the driver’s license system remains a serious issue in Uzbekistan. It reflects deep systemic problems in driver education and trust in government structures. However, eliminating such schemes is the first step towards making the country’s roads safer and restoring respect for the law. Citizens need to understand that obtaining a driver’s license is not just a formality, but a vital skill upon which the safety of all road users depends.
The article may contain inaccuracies as it is translated by AI. For more details, please refer to the Russian version of the article. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can send corrections via the Telegram bot: Uzvaibik_bot.
