Parking 2025: Special Spaces for Drivers with Children under 3 – Law No.12437

In October 2025, the Verkhovna Rada adopted one of the most anticipated urban mobility bills—No. 12437, obliging parking owners to designate special spaces for drivers transporting children under the age of three. The adopted changes, which will come into force three months after the law’s publication, reflect the state’s increased attention to the needs of young families and a commitment to adapting European standards of comfort and safety for the most vulnerable road users.

Legislative parameters of the new provision
The core of the new rule is mandating owners of parking lots and areas of any type (specially equipped or allocated spaces) to set aside at least 5% of total spots specifically for vehicles carrying children under the age of three. Each parking facility must have at least one such space, and the spaces themselves must be clearly marked with special signage or road markings. The right to use will be confirmed by a designated sign on the vehicle, to be defined by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Socio-infrastructure significance of the decision
The main goal of the law is to improve safety and comfort for families with young children in public spaces. Arguments in favor include:

• reducing the risk of child injuries in parking lots by creating shorter, safer routes to entrances/exits;
• making it easier for parents with strollers, car seats, belongings, or children who are not yet aware of road safety;
• greater convenience for pregnant women, people with limited mobility, and elderly persons (with the suggestion to also allocate separate spaces for these groups).

Implementation practice: what changes for parking
Spaces for drivers with children must be located as close as possible to entrances of shopping centers, hospitals, and public venues to minimize walking distance for children. The size of these new parking spaces will be about 3 meters wide (0.5m wider than typical), ensuring comfort for child car seats, strollers, and safe entry/exit. The markings will depict a stroller or other sign indicating the space’s purpose.

Requirements for use and oversight
To use a space, a driver must obtain an official sign for the car; the procedure for issuing and installing such signs will be developed by the government. It is planned that documents and procedures will be standardized by the Cabinet and local authorities. New approaches to enforcement are also foreseen: fines for parking violations have already been integrated into the “Diia” system in many cities.

Why was the law needed
Key arguments from lawmakers include:

• Ukraine’s acute demographic context requires efficient and safe solutions for families with children to encourage higher birth rates;
• European experience has shown these special parking spaces to be effective (many countries already apply similar standards);
• the changes respond to frequent citizen complaints about a lack of infrastructure and abuses by other drivers occupying spaces near entrances.

Expected effects and implementation challenges
It is anticipated that the new rule:

• will greatly facilitate and speed up daily movement for thousands of families with young children;
• increases parking etiquette and order by clarifying traffic rules and introducing fines;
• reduces conflicts between parents and other drivers regarding space availability;
• initiates the practice of “family-friendly parking” in small towns and villages, not only large shopping centers.

At the same time, certain challenges remain:

• Lack of space in older or privately owned parking lots may hinder implementation;
• Abuse by drivers illegally occupying privileged spaces (effective monitoring mechanisms are needed);
• Not all localities, especially smaller ones, have the resources for quick rollout of new standards.

Next steps: responsibility of business and authorities
Within three months after the law is published, the government must develop by-laws—instructions and standards for all parking categories, detailing:

• the width and markings of spaces;
• vehicle identification requirements;
• procedures for obtaining parent signs;
• liability for parking operators and local authorities.

Adaptive solutions for different parking types are expected, and public outreach will help prevent sabotage and formalism.

European context
Allocating parking spaces for families with children is already a European standard. In the EU, USA, and Canada, these spaces are provided in priority areas with the utmost safety in mind, and violations incur significant fines. Such measures have proven effective for quickly and safely accommodating children in public spaces, integrating inclusive practices, supporting families, and improving daily quality of life.

Conclusion
Ukraine’s new law on parking spaces for drivers with children is a step toward a civilized, safe family infrastructure and a foundation for a new social norm. It stimulates business responsibility, elevates a culture of mobility, and supports demographic policies. The main objective is quality implementation and proper oversight, so that the innovations genuinely improve comfort and safety for children and parents in modern Ukraine.

Author – Yulia Popadyn, attorney specializing in tax and customs law at the “WINNER” Law Firm. If you have questions or issues related to the practical application of the law, obtaining permits or consulting on parking standards, seek professional assistance to protect your rights and interests.