Overview
In Russia the driving exam has a theory exam and a practical exam, both held by the State Traffic Inspectorate (Gosavtoinspektsiya, GIBDD). The rules come from Government Decree No. 1097 of 24 October 2014 and from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) administrative regulation approved by Order No. 80 of 20 February 2021. This page uses the text of both as shown on the Garant and ConsultantPlus legal databases, because the official publication sites (pravo.gov.ru, mvd.ru) could not be reached from our connection. The decree text read here is the version updated to 2026, and the order text is the edition of 26 May 2025, so later changes may apply.
Candidates are examined by authorised GIBDD officers. For most categories (A, B, C, D, M, BE, CE, DE and their sub-categories) a first-time candidate takes both the theory and the practical exam. For some cases, such as getting a licence on the basis of certain foreign licences, only the theory exam is required.
Exam pattern
The theory exam is taken on an automated computer system using exam tickets built from a set of tasks whose content the MVD defines. It checks knowledge of:
the traffic rules;
the basic provisions on admitting vehicles to operation and the duties of officials for road safety;
road safety law, including criminal, administrative and civil liability of drivers;
the basics of safe vehicle control;
how to give first aid to road accident victims.
| Item | Detail (Order No. 80) |
|---|---|
| Ticket | 20 questions |
| Structure | 4 groups of topic blocks; each ticket has 4 blocks of 5 questions, one block drawn at random from each group |
| Answer options | 2 to 5 per question, one correct |
| Time | 20 minutes |
| Order of answers | You choose the order |
To avoid accidental key presses, you must confirm a chosen answer by pressing again (or another way the equipment allows). The screen shows the questions and the time left.
Marking and results
The result is "passed" (SDAL) or "not passed" (NE SDAL). A wrong answer or no answer is an error.
You pass if you answer all 20 questions correctly in the time.
With one error, you get 5 extra questions from one additional block within 5 minutes. The block comes from the same group as the block where you erred. You pass if you answer all 5 correctly.
With two errors in different blocks, you get 10 questions from two additional blocks within 10 minutes. You pass if you answer all of them correctly.
You fail if you make 3 errors in the ticket, 2 errors in one block, or even one error in the additional blocks.
You also fail if you use literature, technical devices or help from others, leave the exam, or interfere with the computer workstation.
The screen shows the result, which answers were right and wrong, and the time you took. On request you can see the wrongly answered questions again with the right answer, and the examiner can show comments on the answers after the exam. If a workstation fails during the exam, the mark is cancelled and you sit it again on another one.
Important dates
The decree sets these timing rules for the exams:
After you pass the theory exam, the practical exam is scheduled within 60 calendar days. If you do not pass the practical exam within 6 months of the theory exam, you must retake the theory exam, to be held within 30 calendar days after the 6 months end.
After a failed theory exam, the retake is held no earlier than 7 and no later than 30 calendar days later. From the third failed attempt onward, the retake is held no earlier than 6 and no later than 9 months after the previous failed exam.
A failed practical exam is retaken no earlier than 7 and no later than 60 calendar days after, and likewise 6 to 9 months from the third failed attempt.
How to apply
The texts read here set the exam rules, not the booking steps or fees. Check the GIBDD or MVD site for the current application route and fees.
FAQs
How many questions are on the theory ticket?
20 questions, in 4 blocks of 5, with 20 minutes to answer.
What happens if I make one mistake?
You get 5 more questions from one extra block in 5 minutes and must answer all of them correctly to pass.
How soon can I retake a failed theory exam?
No earlier than 7 days and no later than 30 days after, but from the third failed attempt you wait 6 to 9 months.