New E-services: Moldova digitizes driving licenses
Drivers in Moldova can now apply online, starting Thursday, for new or renewed driving licenses.
The document will be delivered within 20 business days, or sooner upon request, through the government's MDelivery service. The announcement was made by the Public Services Agency (ASP). Authorities demonstrated precisely how citizens can apply online, showcasing a man who needed to renew his driving license as an example.
"It was very easy, very accessible. Having an electronic signature, we can make any request from home," says applicant Dumitru Iurco.
Online applications can be submitted by citizens who have passed their driving exam, those who have lost their driving license, or whose document has expired. Applications can also be submitted by Moldovan drivers who are abroad.
"This service is available even for our fellow citizens in the diaspora. For instance, if a Moldovan citizen in France unexpectedly loses their license, they can visit servicii.gov.md and order it. We will send it wherever they request," states Mircea Eșanu, Director of ASP.
Drivers welcome the digitization of services, noting that it reduces waiting times and removes the need to visit a physical service counter.
I have good opinions about this. It's more convenient for the public, for people. This is being done to improve the situation and help people save a lot of time.
My opinion is that it's very convenient; people won't have to wait in lines. Our world is digitized, and this is a natural progression.
I don't believe everything is possible online. People still have to show up in person for some things. I think this is largely just... talk.
The Public Services Agency also announced that it has expanded its online car buying and selling service for individual citizens.
"The range of individuals who can make property transfers is being expanded. Furthermore, license plates can also be requested for delivery via the MDelivery service, which delivers practically anywhere in the world," explains Nicoleta Colomeeț, Director of the Electronic Governance Agency.
Currently, this service is most frequently used by companies specializing in vehicle sales.
"It's a service we've already applied to sales. From our company, we completed a sale to an individual. Everything went smoothly and very quickly, without any impediments along the way," says Veaceslav Secureanu, an auto company administrator.
The launch of these two digital services is part of the national digitalization strategy, which aims to simplify interaction with public administration and reduce bureaucracy. According to ASP, over 90,000 driving licenses are issued annually.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
