A driver's license is a very important document, the loss of which entails many troubles. And it’s okay if it really was a loss, but it also happens that the rights are taken away abroad for some kind of violation. This happens very rarely, but it does happen. It is useful to find out in advance for every motorist about what the regulations are in this case.
International Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
In 1968, representatives of different states gathered in Vienna to discuss the points of a convention on road traffic, which would regulate the rules for the movement of citizens in foreign territories. Also, this convention was intended to streamline the measure of influence on foreign drivers if they violate the laws of a country of which they are not citizens. Russia also signed this convention, like many other countries, including the former Soviet republics.
According to the rules of the convention, if an employee of the road services of another country decides to take your driver's license from you because of some violation, then in return he is obliged to issue you a temporary driver's license. It will be valid on the territory of Russia.
When you leave the country, then, according to the Vienna Convention, when crossing the border, you must return your driving license. If this has not happened, two conclusions can be drawn. The first: the police of a foreign state violated the International Convention, the second - in order to get your license back, you will most likely have to return to this country.
From the outset, if such a situation arises, it is helpful to inform road officials that you know your rights and their responsibilities.
The problem is often not that the traffic police officers of another state deliberately violate the law and do not fulfill their duties without returning the driver's license, but that they themselves do not always know the procedure in accordance with which the rights can be taken away. Although local arbitrariness, especially in the CIS countries, is not uncommon.
According to the provisions of the Convention, the police of another state determines the punishment for the driver, and then sends documents about it to Russia. The Russian traffic police officers are obliged to monitor the execution of the punishment. Therefore, if you returned home without a license, you should not deceive the traffic police by telling them that you have lost your driver's license. Such deception will quickly be revealed.
Homecoming
You cannot travel by car without a driver's license, this is a direct violation, so be sure to get a temporary license instead of those that were taken from you by the police of another state. With such rights, you can safely return home, even if they do not want to return your driver's license.
The solution may be to have an international driver's license. It is useful to make it in advance before any car trip abroad. Usually the IDL is issued by the central office of the MREO.
If you didn’t take care of the IDP in advance and didn’t insist that the police issue you a temporary ID to replace the one that the officers took, you can return if another person drives the car. However, it is useful to remember that this person must also be included in your car insurance, otherwise, in the event of a disputable case, it will be considered that the car was not insured.
