A bill filed in Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada outlines a seasonal tire requirement for drivers, aiming to boost road safety and vehicle control. If adopted, the measure would modify the Highway Traffic Act and the Administrative Offenses Act, guiding how tires are used across different weather periods. The Association of Automobile Manufacturers of Ukraine reported the proposal, highlighting a shift toward preparing vehicles for winter conditions and reducing the risk of accidents on icy or snow-covered roads.
Under the draft law, passenger cars and light trucks up to 3.5 tonnes would must equip winter or all-season tires on all wheels from November 1 to March 31 each year. For heavier commercial vehicles, those over 3.5 tonnes, winter tires would be required during the same period. The intent is to ensure consistent tire performance when temperatures drop and road surfaces become slick, helping drivers maintain steering control, braking efficiency, and overall stability in challenging conditions.
Penalties are proposed for violations, with fines pegged to the tax-free minimum income for individuals, currently set at 20 times that threshold. In practical terms, the fine is listed at 340 hryvnias, roughly equivalent to about 700 rubles. The bill has moved into the committees responsible for legislative review within the Ukrainian parliament, where lawmakers will assess enforcement mechanisms, compliance costs for motorists, and potential exemptions or transitional arrangements. In context, the discussion reflects ongoing efforts to align Ukraine’s road safety rules with regional practices and to reduce the incidence of tire-related accidents during the winter season. By comparison, reports from six Russian regions indicated a decline in the number of registered vehicles in recent periods, illustrating how neighboring markets are also managing shifts in vehicle fleets and regulatory approaches to seasonal tire use.