Sljuka: Many people drive cars registered in Serbia with authorization, there is still no solution for them

Aleksandar Sljuka from the NGO "New Social Initiative" tells Kosovo Online that he believes that after the deadline, August 23, given for the replacement of driver's licenses issued by Serbian police departments relocated from Kosovo, the Kosovo Police will consistently enforce the measures it has announced, which include fines ranging from 500 to 1,500 euros. He also notes that he believes many people have already replaced their driver's licenses with Kosovan ones.

"We have seen statements from the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs that after August 23, when the extended deadline expires, fines will be issued to people who continue to drive with Serbian driver's licenses addressed to cities in Kosovo. The fines range from 500 to 1,500 euros. These are actually fines for not possessing a valid driver's license, as this offense will be treated as if they do not have a license. It has also been emphasized that people who do not pay these fines will have their vehicles confiscated the next time. In other words, if a driver does not have someone present who holds a Kosovo driver's license and who could continue driving the vehicle, the vehicle will have to be pulled over, taken out of traffic, or confiscated. I believe they will consistently enforce this, and there won't be much room for maneuver," Sljuka says.

He states that the problem remains what will happen to people who drive vehicles registered in cities in Serbia and for which they have authorization to operate.

"We heard at the beginning of this process that a solution would be found for this issue, but we have not seen it yet. I am concerned about how it will be resolved, within what timeframe, and whether people will be able to adapt to it. The problem is that people can replace their driver's licenses addressed to cities in Kosovo with Kosovan ones, but then with a Kosovan license, they drive a car registered with Serbian plates, which is not allowed under Kosovo law. So it is very important how this issue will be resolved, and I think there are many people currently operating this way. I sincerely hope that it will be communicated well, even though we have seen that such issues usually encounter difficulties in implementation. I hope that won't happen here," Sljuka points out.

Obtaining a Kosovo driver's license also requires possessing a Kosovo ID card, and Sljuka assumes that the vast majority of citizens, even in the north, have some Kosovo document.

"I believe that more than 90 percent of people here have a Kosovo ID card. The main goal of replacing the licenses was to remove all documents that indicate a Serbian presence in Kosovo and to transition everything to what they call legal licenses and legal ID cards," he states.