Pashinyan promises license reinstatement without exams after one-year ban

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan promised citizens who have lost their driving licenses that they will be able to regain them without retaking exams, under certain conditions.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Yerevan’s Republic Square on Saturday, Pashinyan said drivers disqualified for violations would face a mandatory one-year suspension before being eligible to restore their licenses. Those reinstated would initially receive six points instead of the standard 13, with full privileges restored after a year of violation-free driving.

“If those 13 points are lost again, the only option will be to retake the exam,” Pashinyan told drivers, adding that the proposal would be put to public discussion before implementation.

The announcement came after months of protests by drivers demanding amnesty. Supporters at the rally chanted “Nikol, Prime Minister”, to which Pashinyan responded with a colloquial phrase meaning “no drinking”.