Vehicle Registration Points from the Transnistrian region celebrate two years of functioning

The Vehicle Registration Points (VRP) from the Transnistrian region, located in Tiraspol and Ribnita, function for two years already. During this time, about four thousand cars were registered and loan documents were completed.

The registration mechanism of vehicles from the left bank of Nistru was established by Law no.170/2018 On the registration of transport means and amendment of some legislative acts (in force since 1 September, 2018). It was proposed in order to achieve the Protocol Decision on access to the international road traffic of transport means from the left bank of Nistru and the municipality of Bender, as well as the Technological Process on the joint organization of the registration procedures of transport means from the Transnistrian region (signed on 24 April, 2018).

In order to ensure continued functioning of the two Vehicle Registration Points, at the meeting of 26 August, the Government approved the proposal to extend their activity term. The legislative amendments draft was sent to the Parliament for approval. 

Previously, during the meeting of the political representatives of Chisinau and Tiraspol in the 1+1 format, Chisinau proposed a joint visit to the VRPs, but for unknown reasons Tiraspol did not formalize its acceptance. Under these conditions, starting today, the employees of the Public Services Agency (PSA) will temporarily withdraw from the counters in Ribnita and Tiraspol. The Transnistrian side was notified about this in advance.

During this period, the PSA employees will attend a training on analysis and archiving, while a decision on the potential staff rotation will also be taken.

We would like to remind that the two Vehicle Registration Points from the Transnistrian region started their activity on 1 September, 2018 based on the Protocol Decision of 24 April, which provides for access to the international road traffic of transport means from the Transnistrian region under the Vienna Convention of 1968 on road traffic, to which the Republic of Moldova is a party. Neutral license plates are issued for cars from the Transnistrian region (three letters and three digits).

It is worth mentioning that during two years, 1143 transport units with neutral plates traveled outside the Republic of Moldova, which is 4718 crossings to directions of entering Romania and Ukraine. Only between 2019 and August 2020, there were 8375 Transnistrian driving licenses exchanged for the national ones at the Public Services Agency.

Hence, the owners of the transport means re-registered by the PSA employees at the counters in Tiraspol and Ribnita not only have access to the international road traffic, but also can be identified, while traffic violations can be document according to the national legislation in force.