Spring 2026 for drivers: new rules, taxes and smart roads

Review of key changes for motorists in the spring of 2026: new rules for taxis and driving schools, “smart” traffic lights and “waffle irons”, an increase in road tolls and luxury tax, cameras for checking compulsory motor vehicle insurance, paid entry into business zones, the return of ERA-GLONASS.

Spring 2026 for drivers: from “waffle irons” to luxury tax

A familiar reflex of a Russian motorist: “Has something changed again? Well, we’ll see...” Yes, there are a lot of changes this spring - and not all of them make you clap your hands joyfully. Let's take it in order: no panic, no excitement, just facts with a pinch of common sense.

Taxi is only ours, dear

Formally - support for the automotive industry. In fact, from March 1, only Russian-made cars can be parked in taxis. But don’t rush to sell your “Japanese”: if it was already working in a taxi company before March 1, let it continue driving until it is written off. This is a reasonable compromise: the business does not collapse overnight, and drivers have time to adapt to the new rules.

For the Far East and Siberia, the deadlines have been shifted: the “Japanese” are still doing well there. In the Far Eastern Federal District, the requirements will come into force only in 2030 - and this is logical, because local taxi fleets have historically been staffed with used Japanese cars. In the Kaliningrad region and Siberian Federal District, the law will come into force in 2028.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has already issued a list of 22 models from 6 brands - from Lada Granta to Voyah Free. Among them: Lada (Granta, Vesta, Largus, etc.), Sollers (SP7, SF1), Evolute (I-JOY, I-SKY), Voyah (Free, Dream), Moskvich (3, 6, M70), UMO (5). Haval Jolion, F7, F7x and Tenet T7 will be added soon. The people seem to be ready to put up with restrictions as long as the cars don’t let them down. Demand for domestic models is growing: people value predictability and availability of service.

Driving schools: more city, less area

As of March 1, training programs in Russian driving schools have been updated - the changes will be in effect until 2032. Now in the city they ride 4 hours longer (increased from 38 to 42 hours), and on the site - 2 hours less. In general, the practical course for “mechanics” increased from 56 to 58 hours, for “automatic” - from 54 to 56 hours. More practice in real conditions is a plus: the city teaches better than any site.

The theory was also corrected: topics were added about interaction with scooters and SIM cards, dangerous driving, and working with electronic documents. The section on first aid after an accident has been revised and is now more relevant. They have also officially allowed teaching online - thanks to the pandemic for the useful experience. The distance format saves time and effort, especially for those who combine study with work.

In May, by the way, a rating of driving schools will appear. Not a ban, but a signal: if a school is in the “red zone”, its graduates are less likely to pass on the first try. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and State Duma deputies expect that this will increase market transparency. The people did something they usually don’t do: they demanded transparency. Now future drivers will be able to choose a school not only by price or proximity to home, but also by the students’ actual results.

“Smart” traffic lights and “waffle irons”

Moscow is keeping pace with AI: 70% of traffic lights are already “smart”; by the end of the year they plan to increase the share to 80%. In total, there will be more than 53 thousand such devices on the streets. They give priority to trams - they travel 20% faster. The cameras recognize emergency situations: accidents, fires, violations of cyclists. The system sees 15 types of events in real time - this significantly increases security.

Waffle irons are also multiplying: there will be more of them in 20 new areas - complex intersections with heavy traffic. If you get stuck on a marking for more than 5 seconds, you will receive a fine of 1,000 rubles. But traffic jams dissolve by 15–20%, and the ambulance passes more freely. The car understands the city better than some drivers: the markings clearly show where the traffic gets stuck, and the cameras discipline those who like to block intersections.

This year in Tushino they will launch a pilot project to control traffic throughout the entire microdistrict using AI. If the experiment is successful, the technology will be scaled to other areas.

The wallet is tight: toll roads and taxes
Starting from March 2, travel on the Avtodor toll highways increased in price by 12.7% as part of the annual indexation. Tariffs have increased on seven roads. For example, on M‑4 “Don” it is now 5,040 rubles. on weekdays and 6,090 rub. on weekends (with a transponder - 5.2 thousand rubles). For M‑11 “Neva” - 3,900 rubles. from Monday to Thursday and 4,200 rubles. Friday–Sunday. On M‑12 "Vostok" travel from Moscow to the first exit to Kazan costs 5,250 rubles, from Kazan to Yekaterinburg - almost 2.7 thousand rubles.

The transponder helps at least a little: it gives a discount and eliminates queues at payment points. At the same time, Avtodor emphasizes that prices remain below the maximum permissible level. For example, on M‑4 the limit is 6.95 rubles/km, and the real cost is 4–5 rubles/km.

And also a luxury tax. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will update the list by the end of March. Last year, it included 303 models ranging from 10–15 million rubles. (not older than 10 years) and 252 models from 15 million rubles. (not older than 20 years). Owners of the 2025 Lexus 500D will pay 134,550 rubles, BMW X7 xDrive40i LCI - 171,450 rubles. The formula is simple: rate × horsepower × 3. These are honest numbers: the state believes that luxury should be tangible. The tax for 2026 will need to be paid before December 1, 2027.

OSAGO under the gun of cameras
In Moscow, they started checking policies through cameras - so far only for taxis and trucks. This is the area of ​​responsibility of the Department of Transport: when fixing the number, the system requests data from the National Information System. If there is no policy, they check by VIN and other identifiers. There are no fines yet - the test mode is underway. But the taxi driver’s license may be revoked, and the truck may be banned from entering the city.

The cameras look at OSAGO like a driver looks at the remaining fuel: carefully and without emotion. For all other drivers, the check will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2026. RSA promises that the system will work without errors - after repeated rechecking.

Paid entry: Moscow-City and Skolkovo
From March 1, the law allowed paid entry into certain areas. This is already working in Moscow: in Moscow City the first 10 minutes are free, from the 11th to the 60th minute - 600 rubles, every next hour - 900 rubles. At night (00:00–07:00) — 400 rub./hour. In Skolkovo, when entering and exiting through one checkpoint, the first 50 minutes are free, then - 250 rubles per hour; when passing through (different checkpoints) free for up to 20 minutes, then 600 rubles.

Peter is still thinking - perhaps in five years there will be a paid center there. And on the federal territory “Sirius” (in Sochi) they can also introduce an entry fee. The decision will be made by local authorities. The point is not to collect more money, but to relieve the center of transit traffic.

ERA-GLONASS returns
From April 1, the emergency call module is again mandatory for cars imported into Russia by individuals. The moratorium, which has lasted since 2022 due to the chip shortage, is ending. You will have to place it before customs so that in case of trouble, help will come faster. The system has proven its effectiveness: over the years it has saved hundreds of lives.

MSD: plus 2 rubles, plus liability
From March 14, travel on the MSD during peak hours (07:00–11:00 and 16:00–20:00) increased in price to 15 rubles per section. Transit - 950 rub./hour. Free - the rest of the time, as well as on holidays and weekends. An important nuance: you need to pay only if check-in and check-out occurred during the paid time. For example, we left at 15:30 and left at 16:15 - travel is free.

The trip must be paid for within 5 days, otherwise there will be a fine: 3,000 rubles. for individuals, 10,000 rub. - for legal entities. But if you pay off the debt within 20 days after the fine, it will be cancelled. This is a chance to correct a mistake without loss.