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Sooner or later, every driver runs into Article 122 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses (the CUAO). It is the article behind most “road” fines: speeding, running a red light, illegal parking, ignoring signs and road markings. The trouble is that the amounts of these fines and the rules for collecting them are changed in Ukraine from time to time, so information from forums that is three years old is often already out of date. In this article we have gathered verified data as of 2026: what you can be penalized for, how much it costs, how the parts of the article differ, how camera fines work, and, most importantly, how and within what deadlines to appeal a ruling you disagree with.
Disclaimer. This article is for information and educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every traffic situation is unique, and legislation changes. Before you make a decision (pay the fine or appeal the ruling), it is better to consult a lawyer who will assess your specific circumstances.
The full title of the article is long: “Exceeding the established speed limits, driving through a prohibiting traffic control signal, and violating other traffic rules.” In essence, it is a “catch-all” article that covers most typical traffic violations where there are no injured parties and no intoxication. It is divided into parts, and each part has its own fine amount. Let us go through them in order (we cite the version in force after the amendments introduced by Law No. 1231-IX of February 16, 2021; this is the version in effect as of 2026).
The most common part. It covers:
The fine is 20 TFMI, that is, UAH 340.
Here the legislator placed violations that more often lead to accidents:
The fine is 30 TFMI, that is, UAH 510.
This part penalizes ignoring the right of way of others on the road:
The fine is 40 TFMI, that is, UAH 680.
A separate and the most expensive “speed” part: exceeding the established speed limit by more than 50 km/h.
The fine is 100 TFMI, that is, UAH 1,700. This is the situation where even a single fast ride can cost a noticeable amount.
The most serious part. It applies if any of the violations in parts 1 to 4 forced other road users to sharply change their speed or direction of travel, or to take other measures, that is, created a genuine hazardous situation.
The sanction is alternative: a fine of 85 TFMI (UAH 1,445) or suspension of the right to drive vehicles for a period from 6 months to 1 year. Which sanction to apply is decided by the court, and a great deal here depends on the circumstances and on how the defense is built.
The logic is simple: the more dangerous the violation, the harsher the sanction. Part 1 is the “basic” level, minor violations of signs, markings, parking, and moderate speeding. Part 2 penalizes maneuvers that more often cause accidents (running a red light, overtaking, distance, phone use while driving). Part 3 concerns disregard for the right of way of others and obstruction of traffic. Part 4 singles out gross speeding in particular (more than 50 km/h). And part 5 stands apart: it is applied not for a specific maneuver but for a consequence, when your conduct created a hazardous situation, and only here does the risk of losing your license appear. That is why, in every ruling, it is fundamentally important which part you have been charged under: it determines both the amount and how the case may end.
Separate parts of Article 122 also establish liability for occupying specially designated spaces without need. In particular, the fine for illegal parking in spaces for people with disabilities is significantly higher (in the range of roughly 60 to 100 TFMI, that is, UAH 1,020 to 1,700), while occupying electric vehicle charging spaces without need carries a fine at the level of 20 to 30 TFMI. These provisions are less common in practice, so in your specific ruling always check exactly which part of the article you are being charged under.
Many people are confused by the wording “tax-free minimum income of citizens.” It is a conditional accounting unit. For the purpose of imposing administrative fines under Article 122, one TFMI equals 17 hryvnias (this value is fixed in legislation and has not changed for a long time). So to convert “minimums” into hryvnias, simply multiply the number of TFMI by 17:
It is important to understand that the amounts are fixed in TFMI, not in hryvnias. That means if the legislator ever raises the accounting unit or rewrites the article itself, the hryvnia price of a violation will change too. So before paying, always check the text of the ruling and the current version of the article, rather than someone else’s old figures.
Automatic recording cameras (and there are more of them in the country every year) operate under special rules. The key thing to know: for a violation recorded by a camera, by default it is not the person who was behind the wheel who is liable, but the person the car is registered to. This is directly established by Article 14-2 of the CUAO: the liable person is the individual or the head of the legal entity to whom the vehicle is registered.
The ruling in a case of a violation recorded automatically is sent to the owner by mail. And here a typical unfairness arises: you were behind the wheel, but the fine came, for example, to your father, in whose name the car is registered. The law provides for this situation.
Article 279-3 of the CUAO gives the car owner a mechanism for release from liability. This can be done within 20 calendar days from the date the offense was committed or from the date the ruling entered into legal force. There are two main options:
For fines from automatic recording cameras and for “parking” fines recorded by photo and video, there is a pleasant bonus: if you pay within a short period (about 10 days from the moment the ruling takes effect), you can pay only half the amount. This benefit is set out in the rules for enforcing such rulings (Article 300-1 of the CUAO).
Very important: this discount does NOT apply to “live” fines that an inspector wrote out to you on the road during a stop. If you mistakenly pay half of an ordinary fine, it will be considered that you have not paid it, and then you will have to pay double the amount plus the costs of enforced collection. So before paying with a discount, make sure your ruling is indeed a “camera” or “parking” one.
If you disagree with the ruling, you can appeal it. This is your legal right, and no court fee is charged for such an appeal.
The deadline is 10 days (Article 289 of the CUAO). For ordinary rulings, the deadline is counted from the day the ruling is issued. For rulings on violations recorded automatically and on “camera” violations of stopping, standing, and parking, the 10 days are counted from the day the ruling enters into legal force. If the deadline is missed for a valid reason (illness, a business trip, late delivery of the ruling), it can be restored upon application.
Where to file (Article 288 of the CUAO). A ruling by a police body can be appealed, at your choice:
The order of actions is usually as follows:
Documents that will come in handy: a copy of the ruling, your written explanations, photo and video materials, witness statements, the car’s documents, and, in “camera” cases, evidence that you were not the one driving (if that is the case).
An appeal does not always mean the fine is fully canceled. Sometimes a realistic goal is to reduce the sanction (for example, to obtain a fine instead of license suspension under part 5) or to close the case on formal grounds. Here are the most typical lawful options.
What you should not do: ignore the ruling. A fine not paid on time leads to enforced collection through the enforcement service, additional costs, and non-payment in double the amount also risks separate liability. In other words, “not noticing” a fine usually turns out more expensive than dealing with it on time.
The topic of speeding fines is being actively debated. In 2026 the parliament is considering draft law No. 15348, which proposes to substantially raise fines for speeding (on various tiers, from hundreds to several thousand hryvnias, and for repeat offenders even up to UAH 17,000). As of the time this material was prepared, this document has not yet been adopted as law, so the current amounts cited above remain in effect for now. We advise checking, before any important decisions, whether new rules have come into force: in this area, changes happen quickly.
At first glance, a road fine is a trifle you can handle on your own. Often that is true. But there are situations where a lawyer’s help genuinely changes the outcome:
A lawyer studies the case materials, looks for procedural and factual weak points, prepares the complaint or claim, gathers evidence, and represents your interests before the police body and in court. This is not a guarantee of a specific outcome (no conscientious lawyer gives such guarantees), but it is systematic work that noticeably improves the chances of a fair decision.
How much is the fine for speeding in 2026?
For exceeding the limit by more than 20 km/h, UAH 340 (part 1 of Article 122 of the CUAO). For exceeding it by more than 50 km/h, UAH 1,700 (part 4). If the excess created a hazardous situation, the fine rises to UAH 1,445 or license suspension for 6 to 12 months follows (part 5).
Is there a “no-fine” tolerance of 20 km/h?
Yes, liability under Article 122 arises for exceeding the limit by more than 20 km/h. That is, exceeding it by up to 20 km/h is not penalized under this article. However, this does not mean you can drive faster than the sign with impunity: if there are other circumstances or violations, the assessment may differ.
Within what deadline can I appeal a ruling?
As a general rule, within 10 days (Article 289 of the CUAO). For ordinary rulings the deadline is counted from the day they are issued, and for “camera” ones, from the day the ruling enters into legal force. A deadline missed for a valid reason can be restored.
A camera fine came to me, but I was not the one driving. What should I do?
Use Article 279-3 of the CUAO: within 20 calendar days the actual driver can file a statement acknowledging the violation and consenting to be held liable, or the owner can prove that the car had left their possession. Then the ruling against the owner is canceled or amended.
Can I pay the fine with a 50% discount?
Yes, but not always. The discount applies to fines from automatic recording cameras and to parking fines recorded by photo or video, provided payment is made within a short period (about 10 days). It does not apply to ordinary fines that an inspector wrote out on the road.
What happens if I do not pay the fine at all?
First, the period for voluntary payment expires (usually 30 days). Then the ruling is transferred to the enforcement service for enforced collection, and an enforcement fee and costs are added. This is almost always more expensive and more unpleasant than timely payment or a well-prepared appeal.
Can I avoid liability if a lot of time has passed?
Yes, if the limitation period has expired. Under Article 38 of the CUAO, a penalty cannot be imposed later than 2 months from the date of the violation (or 3 months if the case is heard by a court). If this period has passed, the case is closed.
If you have received a ruling under Article 122 of the CUAO and disagree with it, or you face suspension of your driving license, do not delay: the appeal deadline is short, only 10 days. The lawyers of the LEXON firm in Kyiv will study your situation, assess the prospects, and help prepare an appeal or build a defense.
We work around the clock, 24/7. Call us at 097 037 73 33 or leave a request through the form on the lexon.in.ua website, and we will advise you on what can be done in your specific case.
Related service: auto lawyer in Kyiv.
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