A bill has been tabled in the Verkhovna Rada that would impose heavy fines on noisy cars and motorbikes. The initiative aims to reduce noise pollution, which has a negative impact on people’s mental well-being.
- Bill No. 15358 on fines for noisy vehicles has been tabled.
- Fines during martial law are rising to 34,000 UAH.
- The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior will set permissible noise levels.
- Noisy vehicles will only be permitted on dedicated tracks.
- The draft bill is awaiting consideration by the relevant committees of the Verkhovna Rada.
New noise control regulations
The Verkhovna Rada registered Bill No. 15358, which provides for the introduction of heavy fines for vehicles exceeding noise limits. The initiative, tabled by a group of MPs, aims to reduce the negative impact of noisy cars and motorbikes on people’s lives.
«The roar of supercharged engines sounds like kamikaze drones, frightening civilians and triggering PTSD in veterans,» said one of the authors of the bill Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
Until now, law enforcement agencies have lacked clear tools for penalising noise pollution, as the existing regulations mainly concerned environmental emissions. The new draft bill is intended to change this situation.
Scale of fines
The draft bill provides for a clear division of responsibilities depending on the country’s legal regime. In peacetime, the penalty for a first offence is a fine of 500 non-taxable minimum incomes, which is approximately 8 500 UAH. For a repeat offence within a year, the fine rises to 1,000 non-taxable minimum incomes, which is equivalent to 17,000 UAH.
During martial law, fines are increased: 17,000 UAH for a first offence and 34,000 UAH for a repeat offence. In addition, repeat offences during wartime are punishable by the suspension of a driving licence for a period of between 3 and 6 months.
Determining the permissible noise level
Specific decibel levels are not set out in the law — these are to be determined by the Ministry of Health and the relevant ministry. The regulations will take into account the type of vehicle, as the technical capabilities of cars, lorries and motorbikes differ significantly. The time of day will also be taken into account, as sounds are perceived more acutely at night.
The document proposes a provision stipulating that the use of excessively noisy vehicles is permitted only outside towns or on specialised sports tracks. The draft bill is currently awaiting consideration by the relevant committees of the Verkhovna Rada.
