Order of the Ministry of Transport of Russia No. 500 dated December 15, 2020 “On approval of standards for the issuance of special clothing, special footwear and other personal protective equipment to road transport workers” regulates what equipment drivers, mechanics and other personnel of automobile enterprises should receive. The document has undergone several changes - the latest adjustments came into force on 2023–2026, and now many workers are faced with questions: what exactly are they entitled to, how often is the equipment updated, and what categories of employees are covered by the new rules.

In this article we will look at the current version of Order No. 500, taking into account all amendments, we will explain how to interpret controversial issues (for example, the issuance of jackets for truck drivers or standards for workers in cold regions), and we will give step-by-step instructions on how to defend your rights if the employer violates the standards. We will pay special attention changes in 2026, which touched upon the wearing time of special clothing and the list of issued items for different climatic zones.

Who is entitled to clothing support under Order No. 500?

Order No. 500 applies to all road transport workerswhose activities are related to the management, maintenance or repair of vehicles. The list includes:

  • 🚛 Drivers (including truck drivers, bus drivers, taxi drivers, special equipment)
  • 🔧 Repairmen and mechanics of motor transport enterprises
  • 🛢️ Gas station workers (gas station operators, laboratory assistants)
  • 🏗️ Vehicle fleet personnel (storekeepers, washers, industrial cleaners)

Important: the order does not apply to private drivers (for example, owners of personal cars) and employees not related to direct operation of transport. For example, accountants or fleet managers are not entitled to protective clothing under this order.

Exception 2026: from January 1, the list includes employees of car sharing and taxi services if their activities are officially formalized through an employment contract with a car company. Previously, these categories were often left without clothing support.

What is included in the issuance standards: a complete list by category

Order No. 500 establishes detailed standards for every profession and climate zone. Below is a basic list for the most common specialties (for temperate climate):

Employee category Clothing supplies Wearing period (years)
Truck drivers Winter jacket, trousers, overalls, tarpaulin boots, gloves, headdress 2–3
Bus drivers Demi-season coat, suit, boots, gloves, hat 2–4
Repairmen Robe, overalls, canvas mittens, goggles, earplugs 1–2
Gas station workers Fire-resistant jacket and trousers, boots, nitrile gloves, helmet 1–3

For cold regions (for example, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Chukotka) norms increase: added insulated overalls, fur mittens and safety shoes with insulation up to -40°C. A complete list for your region can be found in Appendix No. 2 to order No. 500.

📊 Is your profession related to road transport?
Yes, I'm the driver
Yes, I'm a mechanic/fitter
Yes, I work at a gas station
No, another profession
I don't work

Changes in 2026: what's new in Order No. 500?

The latest amendments affected three key aspects:

  1. Expanding the list of professions: workers are now required to wear special clothing electric car gas stations and operators unmanned transport (if one is used at the enterprise).
  2. Tightening quality requirements: overalls must match GOST R 12.4.280-2020 (for example, drivers’ jackets are now required to have reflective elements with an area of at least 0.2 m²).
  3. Digitalization of accounting: from 2026, employers are required to maintain an electronic register of the issuance of workwear (previously, a paper register was allowed).
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If your workwear does not comply with new GOSTs (for example, there are no reflectors), the employer is obliged to replace it at his own expense - even if the wearing period has not yet expired.

Another important innovation: The wearing time for some items has been increased. For example, for truck drivers, jackets are now issued at 3 years instead of the previous 2.5. This is due to the use of more wear-resistant materials.

How to get workwear: step-by-step instructions for an employee

If an employer delays issuing equipment or issues an incomplete set, follow the algorithm:

  1. Check with order No. 500, what exactly you are entitled to (see. Appendix No. 1 for drivers or Appendix No. 3 for mechanics).
  2. Write application addressed to the manager with the requirement to issue protective clothing. Please indicate:
    • Your position and department;
    • List of missing items (with reference to order No. 500);
    • The period within which you ask for the equipment to be provided (usually 10 working days).
  • If you do not receive a response, please contact trade union (if the company has one) or State Labor Inspectorate.

    • Copy of the employment contract|

    Copy of order No. 500 (current edition)|

    Photo/video of missing workwear (if any)|

    Application to the employer with a stamp of receipt-->

    ⚠️ Attention: The employer does not have the right to issue special clothing in return for salary or deduct its value from earnings. This is a violation of Art. 221 Labor Code of the Russian Federation.

    Frequent violations by employers and how to challenge them

    In practice, workers are faced with the following tricks:

    • 📉 Issue of an incomplete set (for example, a jacket without trousers or gloves instead of overalls). Solution: demand a complete list with reference to order No. 500.
    • 🔄 Replacing workwear with money (for example, “take 5,000 ₽ and buy it yourself”). Solution: This is illegal - overalls must be issued in kind.
    • ⏳ Issue delay (“wait until next year”). Solution: the deadline for issuing is specified in the order - violation leads to a fine for the employer (up to 50 000 ₽).
    What to do if the employer refuses to issue special clothing?

    1. Take a video of the working conditions (for example, working without gloves in the cold).

    2. Write a collective complaint to the labor inspectorate (a sample can be downloaded from the website onlineinspection.rf).

    3. Attach copies of medical certificates (if there were frostbite or injuries due to lack of PPE).

    4. In 90% of cases, after an inspection, the employer issues special clothing or receives a fine.

    ⚠️ Attention: If you received workwear poor quality (for example, a jacket gets wet or tears after a month), the employer is obliged to replace it. Save the receipt (if you bought it yourself by order of your superiors) or the inspection reports.

    Workwear for different climate zones: nuances

    Order No. 500 divides Russia into 4 climate zones, each of which has its own standards:

    Zone Region examples Additional items
    Special (I) Chukotka, Yamal, Taimyr Insulated overalls (-50°C), fur mittens, felt boots
    IV (cold) Siberia, Far East Jacket with insulation (-40°C), thermal underwear, hat with earflaps
    III (moderate) Central Russia, Ural Demi-season jacket, insulated boots
    II (warm) Krasnodar region, Crimea Light suit, cap, closed sandals

    For truck drivers working in interregional flights, the rule applies: overalls must match the coldest zone from the route. For example, if a driver travels from Moscow (zone III) to Norilsk (zone I), he is entitled to a kit for -50°C.

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    If your route passes through several climatic zones, require special clothing according to the most severe conditions - this is stated in clause 1.4 of order No. 500.

    Terms for wearing and replacing workwear

    The wearing time depends on intensity of use and material products. Basic standards:

    • 👕 Jackets and overalls: 2–3 years (for cold zones - up to 4 years).
    • 👖 Pants and suits: 1.5–2 years.
    • 👢 Shoes:
      • Canvas boots - 2 years;
      • Boots - 1–1.5 years;
      • Valenki - 3 years.
    • 🧤 Gloves and mittens: 6–12 months (depending on material).

    If the workwear has become unusable before the deadline (for example, a jacket is torn), the employer is obliged to replace it. To do this:

    1. Write a memo describing the defect.
    2. Attach a photo or inspection report.
    3. Indicate that wear has occurred in progress (not your fault).
    ⚠️ Attention: The employer may refuse a replacement if the damage occurred due to violations of operating rules (for example, washing a jacket at 90°C instead of permitted 40°C). All care requirements are listed in product data sheet.

    FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

    Can an employer provide used workwear?

    No, according to clause 3.5 of Order No. 500, overalls must be new. Exception - personal protective equipment (for example, helmets), which can be issued after disinfection.

    What to do if the overalls are small/large?

    The employer is required to provide equipment according to your standards. If the size does not fit, write a request for exchange within 7 days from the moment of issue.

    Are taxi drivers required to wear special clothing?

    Yes, but only if you are officially employed by a fleet or taxi company. For self-employed drivers (working through aggregators such as Yandex.Taxi) order No. 500 is not valid.

    Is it possible to refuse workwear and receive compensation?

    No, replacement of workwear with monetary compensation prohibited Art. 221 Labor Code of the Russian Federation. The exception is if you are working remotely and you don't need special clothing.

    Where to complain if the employer does not provide special clothing?

    File a complaint with:

    • State Labor Inspectorate (via the website onlineinspection.rf);
    • Prosecutor's Office;
    • Trade union (if there is one at the enterprise).

    Attach copies of the employment contract, order No. 500 and your statement to the employer to the complaint.