DLC was established on 19th April, 2005 by a decision of the AC at the RU. In the same year, the Rules for the structure and activity of the Central Educational Institution, as well as the Internal Rules for the organization of distance education in the RU, were adopted.

In July 2013, RU was visited by a committee on accreditation of the environment for DFO at the university and DFO accreditation of master's programs in the Faculty of Transport. In September, the RU received successful accreditation of the DFO environment, as well as the master's programs in the TF. In the academic year 2013-14, distance learning students were enrolled in the following accredited master's majors: "Automotive Engineering", "Diagnostics, Service and Repair of Automotive Equipment", "Technology and Transport Management", "Hybrid and Electric Vehicles ". Students were registered in the e-learning system and were given access to the created disciplines of the distance learning curriculum for these majors.