Speed limits on roads can be roughly divided into two main scenarios: driving within city limits and trips outside them. The speed limits currently in effect in Ukraine are conveniently demonstrated by sign 5.49 “General speed limit indicator”. True, the last position on this sign is still rather theoretical, because there is currently only one real motorway in the country — the section of highway connecting Kyiv and Boryspil (in both directions). The construction of full-fledged autobahns is only in the plans, and this, alas, is not the most cheerful topic.
Speed in urban conditions
Within the city, the limit is 60 km/h, except for residential areas and pedestrian zones, where driving faster than 20 km/h is not allowed. Some time ago, in Kyiv, a number of streets experimented with allowing driving up to 80 km/h. The initiative, although it found support among drivers, ultimately did not catch on. Here it is appropriate to recall clause 12.8 of the Ukrainian Traffic Rules, which states:
“On road sections where road conditions have been created that allow driving at a higher speed, by the agreed decision of the State Automobile Inspection of road owners or bodies to which the right to maintain such roads has been transferred, the permitted speed may be increased by installing appropriate road signs.”
It is also important to remember: if sign 5.45 “Beginning of a built-up area” (with the name on a white background) is installed, then rules similar to urban ones apply here, even when there is not a single residential building nearby.
But the name of a settlement on a blue background (sign 5.47) informs that on this section the speed limits prescribed for built-up areas do not apply (as directly stated in the Traffic Rules). This is just an informational plate.
Be careful! Since 2013, after changes were made to the rules, immediately after sign 5.47, sign 5.63.1 “Beginning of dense development” may appear. It requires reducing speed to 60 km/h.
Speed outside built-up areas
Country roads are of three types: motorways, roads with a dividing strip, and other highways.
Motorways — here the maximum speed reaches 130 km/h (again, we remind that currently only the Kyiv—Boryspil road is classified as such). At the same time, on motorways, outside specially designated places, the movement of mechanical vehicles that cannot accelerate to at least 40 km/h is prohibited.
Roads with separate carriageways, separated by a special strip — it is allowed to drive no faster than 110 km/h.
Other highways — the limit is 90 km/h.
In addition, the following special speed restrictions apply to Ukrainian country roads:
- drivers with less than two years of experience — no more than 70 km/h;
- passenger cars with a trailer — no more than 80 km/h;
- when towing — a maximum of 50 km/h.
There are also separate norms for buses, motorcycles, mopeds, and trucks carrying people, but we will not dwell on them now.
Based on the specific situation on the road, its condition, or the features of the area (for example, a school nearby), as well as during road works, signs (permanent or temporary) may be installed that reduce the maximum permitted speed. This refers to sign 3.29 “Maximum speed limit” or 3.31 “Maximum speed limit zone”. The difference is that the first applies only to a specific section of the route, while the second covers the entire adjacent territory (neighborhood, recreation area, and so on).
However, there are also signs that set a minimum speed. Sign 4.16 “Minimum speed limit” is usually used in pairs with plate 7.9 “Traffic lane”. Its task is to set the lower speed limit on a specific section or lane to organize traffic flow (for example, slow trucks and buses keep to the right, while fast cars drive on the left, above which sign 4.16 hangs together with 7.9).
The AutoPortal editorial team has not been able to recall a road where such a minimum speed restriction applied to all lanes at once. So, if you know of such places, tell us about them in the comments.
Often on roads there are plates that simply advise driving a section at a specific speed indicated on the sign. This helps, for example, to safely navigate a sharp turn. That is, in this way, road services hint: if you drive here at this speed, the chance of ending up in a ditch is minimal. This sign is called “Recommended speed” (5.30).
And in conclusion, let us remind about responsibility: exceeding the speed limit by less than 20 km/h is not yet punishable by a fine (that is why everyone drives in the city at up to 80 km/h, and on the highway — up to 110 km/h). But if you exceed the limit by 20 km/h or more, then according to Article 122 of the Administrative Code, you will have to pay from 255 to 340 UAH. If the excess is 50 km/h or more, the fine increases to 510–680 UAH (an alternative is correctional labor for 30–40 hours). If your excess provoked an emergency situation, the amount will be 680–850 UAH, or you face deprivation of your license for a period of six months to a year. By the way, recently parliament discussed a bill proposing to fine for exceeding already at 10 km/h, but it has not been adopted yet.
Let us remind that AutoPortal in its “Traffic Rules Lessons” section regularly publishes answers to readers’ questions about unclear signs and complex road markings on Ukrainian roads.
