Driver rest and tachographs in Ukraine: what will the new draft law No. 14280 change?

Ukraine is taking another step toward harmonizing its transport regulations with the EU: a bill has been registered in parliament that changes the rules for recording drivers' working hours and introduces mandatory use of tachographs. The new requirements will apply to both work and rest schedules and technical equipment of vehicles. Learn more about the main innovations and their impact on drivers and carriers

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On December 8, the Verkhovna Rada introduced Draft Law 14280, which aims to bring Ukrainian trucking regulations closer to EU standards. The document provides for the mandatory installation of digital or “smart” tachographs on vehicles transporting goods weighing more than 3.5 tons or more than nine passengers, including the driver.

The data from such devices will become an official source of control over compliance with drivers' work and rest schedules, and will be used in road accident investigations and in bringing carriers to justice. The draft law also introduces clear rules on the maximum duration of driving, breaks, and prohibitions on resting in the cab during regular weekly rest.

In sum, the new rules should improve road safety, make the control system more transparent, and create conditions closer to European standards. For drivers and carriers, this means both new responsibilities and a clearer regulatory framework.

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What does the new draft law on tachographs and driver rest provide for?

The new draft law proposes a comprehensive update of the rules for drivers and carriers, aligned with EU standards. The main changes relate to equipping vehicles with tachographs and clearly regulating the duration of driving and mandatory breaks. The goal is to improve road safety, minimize driver fatigue and ensure transparent control.

Mandatory installation of tachographs

Vehicles engaged in freight or passenger transportation (over 3.5 tons or more than 9 passengers with a driver) will have to be equipped with digital or “smart” tachographs. The device will record working hours, breaks, speed, and other parameters. This data will be recognized as official for control, accident investigations, and prosecution. Operating a car without a working tachograph will be prohibited.

New standards for the duration of driving

The draft law sets specific limits for driving time:

- up to 9 hours per day, with the possibility of increasing it to 10 hours twice a week

- up to 56 hours per week;

- up to 90 hours in two consecutive weeks.

These rules are intended to reduce driver fatigue and the number of accidents caused by human error.

Breaks and daily/weekly rest

After 4 hours and 30 minutes of continuous driving, the driver must take a minimum 45-minute break (can be divided into 15+30 minutes).

The daily rest period must be uninterrupted and last

- at least 11 hours (standard),

- or from 9 to 11 hours (shortened, no more than three times between two weekly rest periods).

Regular weekly rest is prohibited in the cab, and shortened rest is allowed only if there is a sleeping place and safe parking.

Responsibilities of the carrier

Carriers must ensure the proper organization of drivers' work, control of the technical condition of tachographs and compliance with rest periods. It is forbidden to force drivers to work overtime or interrupt tachograph recording for any reason other than safety.

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Why is Ukraine switching to European standards of driver control?

The transition to unified rules for tracking drivers' working hours is not only a technical requirement, but also an important stage in the modernization of Ukraine's transportation system. The introduction of tachographs and new rest standards is in line with European laws that have been used for years in EU countries to reduce accidents and ensure fair competition between carriers.

Improving road safety

Fatigue is one of the most common factors in accidents involving large vehicles. Clear limits on daily and weekly driving time, as well as recording violations in the tachograph, will help reduce the risks associated with driver exhaustion. This makes travel safer for both drivers and other road users.

Transparent control and prevention of manipulation

Tachographs eliminate the possibility of hiding excessive working hours, changing activities without recording, or stopping the recording. The device's data will be recognized as official, which means that any inaccuracies will be recorded automatically during inspections, accident investigations, or fines. This encourages carriers to comply with the rules and not to put pressure on drivers to work overtime.

Harmonization with European standards

Ukraine is integrating its transportation sector into the EU single market. In particular, by updating legislation. The transition to the same standards as in the EU makes it easier for companies engaged in international transportation and increases the confidence of European partners in Ukrainian carriers.

Fair conditions for all carriers

Uniform standards mean that all market participants will operate under the same rules. This will make it impossible for companies to underestimate costs, forcing drivers to work longer hours without rest, and thus gain unfair competitive advantages.

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We remind you! Previously, the Ministry of Internal Affairs explained how to correctly make a payment when buying and selling a car. The transfer of money between the seller and the buyer occurs only by their agreement, without the participation of service center employees. Read here how to safely conclude a deal and avoid financial misunderstandings when buying a car.

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