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Driving in Kiev and Ukraine
General rules
Have your documents in order and with you while you're driving. To go around Ukraine by car you'll have to purchase an environmental ticket when you cross the border. To drive somebody else's car you will need to get the authorization letter which can be done quickly at a notary office. The roads in Ukraine aren't the best ones. Coming to Ukraine by car is not a problem if you have all documents for the car and visa if needed.
There is zero Tolerance on alcohol when driving in Ukraine - so even one glasscould be an expensive mistake being stopped or involved into an accident.
It is bligatory for both the driver and the passenger to wear selt belts.
Children should always sit in the back, ideally in a special car seat or at least wearing seatbelts.
Traffic Fines
| No seat belt or helmet, illegal crossing by pedestrians |
51-85 UAH |
| Using cell phone, illegal overtaking, failure to observe distance |
425-510 UAH |
| Speeding through a red light, illegal parking |
510-680 UAH or 30-40hrs of social work or license confiscation for 6-12 months |
| Failing to stop at inspector's demand |
153-187 UAH or license confiscation for 3-8 months |
| Fleeing after causing an accident |
255-306 UAH or 30-40 hrs of public work or 10-15 days of arrest |
| Driving without driver's license or car insurance |
340-425 UAH |
| Drunk driving, driving on drunks, refusal to take a blood test |
2 250-3 400 UAH or license confiscation for 1-2 years or 40-50 hrs of social work or 7 days under arrest for first time offenders or license confiscation for 2-3 years for repeat offenders or 50-60 hrs of social work or 10-15 days of arrest for repeat offenders, license and car confiscation for 10 years if caught the 3rd time in one year |
| Causing personal injury in an accident |
3 400-8 500 UAH |
Source: State Automotive Inspection (DAI)
Speed limits
Town - 60 km/h sometimes a sign for 40km/h
open road - 90 km/h sometimes 110 kph
motorway - 130 kph
Petrol prices
95 petrol - approx. 6.50 - 7.00 UAH per litre
Parking in Kiev
The Kyivtransparkservice agency has announced that starting in February 2008, drivers will have to pay to park downtown. The closer they get to the center, the higher the price will be. The hourly parking rate will be 3, 5, and 7 Hryvnas depending on the area. Daily parking will cost 9,15 and 21 Hryvnas and monthly parking will amount to 126, 210 and 294 Hryvnas. This approach to Kiev’s crazy traffic situation will hopefully have a positive effect. The parking tickets will go on sale at kiosks in February. Fines increased and up to 5.000 driver's licenses have been withdrawn recently and traffic jams seem to have decreased.
When you get stopped
In Ukraine there is zero tolerance for drink and drive. If you do drink and drive (why would you do that?) and get stopped you can try to get away with a bribe of 100 USD. With speed the standard is 20 UAH if it is 20-30 km more, and 30 UAH - for other. 50 UAH is a large fine - only if you start to quarrel or they chase you on the streets :-) | 
