Kazakhstan Health Ministry reports 7,400 driving licences revoked on medical grounds

September 4, 2026 at 01:14 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakhstan's Health Ministry said on September 4, 2026 that courts have revoked 7,400 driving licences after police filed lawsuits against more than 13,000 drivers with medical contraindications. The ministry said over 21,000 drivers were identified with such contraindications, while 2,246 were removed from dispensary registration. The ministry stressed that a diagnosis alone does not automatically revoke a licence; only a court can make that decision.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan's Health Ministry reported on September 4, 2026 that over 21,000 drivers were identified with medical contraindications to driving.
Courts have revoked 7,400 driving licences under final court decisions, according to the ministry.
Territorial police departments filed lawsuits against more than 13,000 drivers with medical contraindications.
The ministry said 2,246 people were removed from dispensary registration for various reasons.
Absolute contraindications include epilepsy, blindness in both eyes, certain severe mental disorders, and substance-related mental and behavioural disorders.

Medical Contraindication Screening

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are jointly identifying drivers with medical contraindications to safe vehicle operation. As of September 4, 2026, over 21,000 drivers were found to have such contraindications, the Health Ministry's press service reported. Of these, 2,246 people were removed from dispensary registration for various reasons. The list of medical contraindications is established by Health Ministry Order No. 853.

Court-Ordered Licence Revocations

Territorial police departments filed lawsuits against more than 13,000 drivers with medical contraindications. Under final court decisions, the validity of 7,400 driving licences has been terminated. The Health Ministry stressed that restrictions are possible only when established medical contraindications could affect driving safety. The final decision to terminate driving rights is made by a court, not automatically upon diagnosis.

Contraindication Categories and Exceptions

Absolute contraindications include epilepsy, blindness in both eyes, certain severe mental disorders, and specific mental and behavioural disorders related to psychoactive substance use. Not every diagnosis prevents driving; some vision, hearing, or musculoskeletal impairments allow driving with medical requirements or special devices. Such devices include glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, manual controls, and other adaptive equipment. When contraindications are identified and legal grounds exist, the information is transferred to internal affairs bodies, after which police may file a court claim.