What Will Change in the Traffic Rules Starting November 1

Starting November 1, 2021, amendments to the traffic rules will take effect, specifically, new traffic signs will be introduced on Ukrainian roads.

According to Oleksiy Biloshitsky, First Deputy Chief of the Patrol Police Department, the changes are primarily driven by the need to bring traffic regulations into line with Ukraine’s national standards, which were developed in accordance with the requirements of the Convention on Road Signs and Signals.

Therefore, drivers will encounterthe followingnew traffic signs:

• residential zone,
• pedestrian crossing,
• beginning and end of a built-up area,
• turn direction,
• permitted stopping and parking areas,
• vehicle traffic restrictions,
• gas stations/electric vehicle charging stations,
• electric vehicle charging stations,
• toll road and its end,
• traffic island,
• diagonal crosswalk, and others.

What Has Changed in the Driver’s License Issuance Process

New road markings

New markings are being introduced to indicate traffic calming measures; designated parking spaces along roads and near roundabouts; areas in front of school exits; to mark accident-prone areas; to mark designated parking spaces along roads, etc.

A newyellow-and-red marking is being added to the existing vertical markings.

The Traffic Rules have amended the requirements for edge road markings in accordance with the provisions of DSTU 2587:2021, under which only marking 1.2 is considered an edge marking.

Note that the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) has not been amended; therefore, liability for violations of traffic signs and road markings remains unchanged.

See also Interregional Transportation: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the New Rules

Bicycle Lanes

The changes relate to the movement of cyclists, pedestrians, and people with visual impairments, specifically:

• a new definition of a bike lane;
• the concepts of a bicycle lane and a bicycle crossing;
• the rights and responsibilities of cyclists are specified, and detailed regulations are provided on how they should behave while on the road;
• regulations governing the shared use of the road by pedestrians and cyclists, as well as by people with visual impairments.

As for cyclists, administrative liability for them also remains unchanged, specifically under Article 127 (Violation of Traffic Rules by Pedestrians, Cyclists, Drivers of Horse-Drawn Vehicles, and Herders) of the Code of Administrative Offenses.