New penalty system for drivers. Bill No. 14133 registered

In October 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine registered draft law No. 14133, which aims to radically change the approach to the system of penalties for drivers—primarily by reintroducing a penalty points mechanism for traffic violations. The reform seeks not only to strengthen discipline on the roads, but also to ensure systematic tracking of repeat offenders among drivers, reduce accident rates, and harmonize regulations with European standards.

Key changes: concept of the draft law
Draft law No. 14133 introduces a rolling system, in which each traffic violation is assigned 1–5 points depending on its danger and type.

• 15 points is the threshold for experienced drivers (driving experience over one year), after which the license is suspended.
• 10 points is the limit for beginners (drivers with up to one year of experience).
• Points are automatically cleared after 365 days from the date of assignment.
• All information about penalty points is displayed in the National Police and Diia registries.

A key accent is the introduction of retraining: upon reaching the threshold (15/10 points), a driver must take courses and pass an exam to regain the right to drive.

Types of violations and point grading
The new scale introduces different severity for offenses:

• Speeding: depending on severity—1, 2, 3, or 4 points; fines from UAH 340 to 3,400.
• Running a red light, ignoring signs, parking violations—1–3 points.
• Individuals who regularly violate and accumulate points are temporarily deprived of driving rights (radical changes for “systemic offenders” are proposed).

European approach and arguments by the authors
The draft law is based on EU practices: in European countries, the penalty points system is the main tool for combating persistent traffic offenders. The authors stress that ordinary fines do not work for those who systematically ignore the rules, while the points system:

• has a deterrent effect, even if fines are regularly paid;
• allows control over heightened driving risks;
• simplifies the analysis and statistics of violations.

Integration with registries and monitoring
All penalties, fines, and decisions on license suspension will be integrated into the Administrative Offense Register in the traffic safety area.

• Access to violation histories will be available to both citizens (via “Diia”, driver’s dashboard) and the police.
• Businesses and vehicle fleets will be required to monitor the discipline of drivers and ensure training for reinstatement.

Requirements for retraining and retesting
Restoration of driving rights is only possible after:

1. Completion of a full theoretical course at a driving school.
2. Passing both the practical and theoretical exams at the Ministry of Internal Affairs service center.

This raises the standards of quality and practical skills of drivers, and the reinstatement process is an additional deterrent for offenders.

New categories and eligibility for driving
The bill also introduces:

• Expansion of vehicle categories (up to 17) to comply with EU standards;
• The possibility to obtain a license from age 16 for mopeds and light motorcycles, from 18 for cars and light trucks;
• Increased requirements and controls for obtaining licenses for heavy and specialized vehicles.

Expected effects and challenges
The penalty points system is expected to reduce the share of habitual offenders through monitoring violation histories.

• The introduction of repeated testing or retraining will create an additional bureaucratic, but also educational, barrier for risky drivers.
• Businesses and fleets will face new costs for “retraining” staff.
• The groundwork is being laid for transparent violation analytics and broader dissemination of disciplinary sanctions.

Criticism and potential risks
Concerns include:

• the risk of corruption during repeated tests and retraining;
• increased burden on the infrastructure of driving schools and service centers;
• the possibility of appealing subjective/mistaken decisions on point assignment.

At the same time, the authors and most experts agree—the current fine system does not ensure safety or fairness, and the new points model provides a clear motivation to comply with traffic rules and invest in driver education.

Conclusions
Draft law No. 14133 proposes to restore and modernize Ukraine’s driver penalty system based on points, education, and electronic monitoring, making it closer to the European model of road safety. If adopted, it will become a key part of a comprehensive traffic rules reform, supporting prevention of repeat offenses, higher discipline, improved accident analytics, and reduced casualties on the roads. The success of the new system will depend on the institutional readiness for high-quality control, transparent and fair administration, and effective public engagement.

Author: Yevhen Murchenko – Head of criminal law and procedure practice at WINNER Law Firm.
If you have questions or issues related to contesting fines, preparing appeals, protecting rights during license deprivation cases, or legal consultation on exam procedures or license reinstatement, contact the lawyers at WINNER Law Firm. A qualified attorney can protect your interests, help build an effective defense strategy, and avoid common mistakes in complex administrative and court disputes.