The Public Services Agency (ASP) annulled 652 driver’s licenses obtained in Balti and Edinet after launching 663 verification procedures over suspected fraud.
The ASP Director Mircea Esanu stated that all individuals concerned were summoned and presented with evidence proving irregularities.
“This is a 100% legal procedure, in accordance with the Administrative Code, and everyone has the right to challenge the decision in court,” Esanu said.
Around 200 people attended hearings, and only five agreed to retake the theoretical exam. Of these, three passed and kept their licenses.
“For the rest, all licenses were annulled. This is not a whim, but a responsibility. Road insecurity leads to deaths and trauma. We are about 50% above the European average in road fatalities. If this process saved even one life, it was worth the effort,” he emphasized.
The checks mainly targeted centers in Balti and Edinet. As a result, four employees were dismissed, although one was later reinstated by a court decision, which the agency has appealed.
“We presented video evidence clearly demonstrating complicity and involvement in the fraud process,” Esanu added.
The fraud took place between February and September 2025, followed by the analysis of video recordings. Nearly 3 terabytes of footage were sent to the National Anticorruption Center and the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office.
The ASP representative Iacov Zavtur said that 665 cases were examined, with full respect for candidates’ rights.
“During the commission hearings, candidates were asked questions and offered the opportunity to retake the theoretical test immediately, but only five accepted,” Zavtur noted.
Among the irregularities identified were cases where candidates took exams in Russian but could not later read the questions fluently, as well as instances where individuals changed their registered residence to take exams in other centers, particularly in Balti.
Additionally, ten individuals admitted guilt, stating they cheated using hidden cameras, with three paying between EUR 500 and EUR 600 to obtain licenses. In four cases, there was insufficient evidence, and the files were closed.
The ASP had previously announced the launch of procedures to annul around 700 driver’s licenses suspected of being obtained fraudulently.