A driver's license is one of the most frequently used documents along with a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. In this regard, residents of the country are often interested in whether it is possible to confirm their identity with the help of only one card when receiving various public services.
In 2016, the Russian Public Initiative came up with a proposal to classify a driver's license as a document that officially confirms the identity of citizens of the Russian Federation. The basis for this decision was the fact that the relevant document is issued on the basis of a passport and therefore serves as an irrefutable confirmation of the basic information about a person. However, the proposal did not receive a sufficient response among the population of the country.
There is no federal law on a single and exhaustive list of documents proving the identity of citizens of the Russian Federation. That is why in order to determine the opportunities that are endowed with the owners of a driver's license, you should familiarize yourself with individual regulations. Thus, Federal Law No. 67 contains a list of documents that allow citizens to exercise their right to participate in elections. These include a passport, military ID, permanent or temporary service ID. Accordingly, it is not possible to vote on a driver's license.
The procedure for providing documents for traveling abroad is regulated by Federal Law No. 114. In accordance with it, travel outside the Russian Federation can be carried out only after presenting a civil and foreign, as well as an official or diplomatic passport, to the migration service. The presence or absence of a driver's license is not taken into account.
Citizenship of the Russian Federation is certified on the basis of Presidential Decree No. 1325 of November 14, 2002, which requires the presence of a main or foreign passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, a military ID or military ID, an official or diplomatic passport, and a birth certificate. A driver's license for the right to drive a vehicle on the territory of the Russian Federation is again not included in this list, therefore, on the basis of them, it is impossible to confirm Russian citizenship.
There is no specific legislation in relation to obtaining loans and other banking services. Currently, according to the generally accepted practice of credit organizations, citizens are served primarily on the basis of a valid civil passport.
The only advantage that owners of driving licenses have received since March 31, 2017 was the opportunity to purchase alcoholic beverages and tobacco products upon presentation of an appropriate certificate. Previously, the release of these products was carried out only on a civil, foreign, service or diplomatic passport, as well as a military ID or a residence permit in the Russian Federation. At the same time, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are still sold only to persons over 18 years of age.
