The Ministry of Economic Development is preparing a bill that will allow holders of category B and A licenses to operate snowmobiles and ATVs without the need to pass additional exams. This initiative is designed to simplify access for Russians to specialized equipment and support the development of tourism.
Currently, a special tractor driver's license issued by the regional Gostekhnadzor authorities subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture is required to operate snowmobiles and ATVs. However, the new bill will abolish this requirement, allowing holders of the relevant license categories to operate this equipment without additional exams.
Maxim Reshetnikov, head of the Ministry of Economic Development, presented the bill at a teleconference on preparing the regions for winter tourism, which was requested by the regions and representatives of the tourism industry. The project is currently at the stage of interdepartmental coordination.
Changes in legislation allowing holders of category A and B licenses to operate snowmobiles and ATVs without additional exams are the result of an initiative put up for discussion a year ago during a meeting of the State Council on Tourism Development. Putin's support for this idea served as the basis for working out the details of the corresponding bill, which is being worked on by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to a Kommersant source, holders of category A licenses will be allowed to operate category AI snowmobiles and ATVs in the forest, while they will not be able to drive on public roads, which is prohibited under current legislation. Holders of category B licenses will only be allowed to drive snowmobiles on special tracks due to a lack of skills in driving vehicles with a motorcycle-style seating position, which is typical of snowmobiles.
The issue of allowing motorists with category B licenses to drive special equipment of category A2 — all-terrain vehicles and swamp buggies weighing up to 3.5 tons with a capacity of no more than eight people — is also being discussed. No decisions have yet been made on this issue.
Previously obtained tractor driver's licenses will remain valid, and the penalties for violations will not be changed. Driving a snowmobile or ATV without the appropriate license will result in a fine of 5,000 to 15,000 rubles. Drunk driving of special equipment will also be prohibited — this violation will be punishable by a fine of 30,000 rubles or revocation of the license.
Earlier, scientists proved the endurance of the new Arkhant all-terrain vehicles. Domestic snow and swamp vehicles successfully passed tests in the Arctic.
