The Russian Health Ministry has clarified that people will not be banned from driving just for being trans.

It was widely reported that people would be refused driving licenses if they were considered to have “sex disorders” including “transsexualism” and “dual-role transvestism”.

Health Minister Oleg Salagai explained, however, that people would only be banned if they posed a danger to others on the road, and just having a “sexual disorder” would not mean someone could not drive. However, according to the Moscow Times he said: “The varying severity of mental disorders among patients — as well as their need for psychotropic drugs that significantly alter their reactions — make it impossible for [certain people] to drive.”

Since sexual orientation is not listed as a mental disorder, it would not be a disqualifying factor. The disqualifying “personality and behavioural disorders” were taken from a list of disorders from the World Health Organisation (WHO) – which still lists trans people as having “disorders of sexual preference”.

The WHO said it was going to review its listing of sexual disorders.