22. Cargo transportation

22. CARGO TRANSPORTATION

22.1. The mass of the cargo being transported and the load distribution on the axles must not exceed the values determined by the technical characteristics of this vehicle.

22.2. Before starting to move, the driver must check the reliability of the placement and securing of the cargo, and during movement - monitor this to prevent it from falling, dragging, injuring accompanying persons, or creating obstacles to traffic.

22.3. Cargo transportation is permitted provided that it:

a) does not endanger road users;

b) does not impair the stability of the vehicle and does not make it difficult to control;

c) does not restrict the driver's visibility;

d) does not cover external lighting devices, reflectors, license plates, and identification marks, and does not interfere with the perception of hand signals;

e) does not create noise, does not raise dust, and does not pollute the roadway and the environment.

22.4. Cargo that protrudes beyond the vehicle's dimensions at the front or rear by more than 1 m, and in width exceeds 0.4 m from the outer edge of the front or rear clearance lamp, must be marked in accordance with the requirements of subparagraph "g" of paragraph 30.3 of these Rules.

22.5. Movement of vehicles and their combinations is permitted when their parameters do not exceed:

a) external dimensions:

{Subparagraph "a" of paragraph 22.5 as amended by Resolution of the CMU No. 457 dated 09.05.2023}

b) actual mass:

__________
* For three-axle vehicles, if the drive axle is equipped with dual wheels and the maximum load on each axle does not exceed 9.5 tons;
** For all other motor vehicles used for cargo transportation that do not fall under the types of vehicles listed in subparagraph "b", the weight limits of 40 tons for roads of state significance and 24 tons for roads of local significance apply.

{Subparagraph "b" of paragraph 22.5 as amended by Resolution of the CMU No. 427 dated 01.04.2026}

c) axle load:

Movement of vehicles and their combinations when at least one of their dimensional and/or weight parameters exceeds the standards defined by this paragraph is carried out in accordance with the Rules for the Passage of Large and Heavy Vehicles on Roads, Streets, and Railway Crossings, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated January 18, 2001, No. 30 "On the Passage of Large and Heavy Vehicles on Roads, Streets, and Railway Crossings" (Official Gazette of Ukraine, 2001, No. 3, Art. 75).

The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to special-purpose vehicles performing winter maintenance of roads, and the Operational-Rescue Service of Civil Protection during travel (return) to (from) the place of carrying out measures to protect the population and territories from emergencies and prevent their occurrence, eliminate the consequences of emergencies, and extinguish fires.

Movement of vehicles and their combinations whose actual mass and axle load exceed the parameters defined by subparagraphs "b" and "c" of this paragraph is prohibited in the case of transporting divisible cargo.

On sections of public roads of local significance where road conditions have been created that allow movement with greater actual mass and axle load, by decision of road owners or bodies entrusted with the right to maintain such roads, agreed with the authorized unit of the National Police, road signs 3.15 and 3.16 may be installed with parameters defined for public roads of state significance.

Road transportation of dangerous goods is carried out in accordance with Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on the inland transport of dangerous goods, the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, and regulatory legal acts of Ukraine in this area.

During the period of martial law in Ukraine and for three months from the day of its termination or cancellation, the requirements of the first and second paragraphs of this clause do not apply to vehicles carrying out cargo transportation for the purpose of their use to ensure the defense capability of the state by decision of the military command, in whose interests such transportation is carried out, as well as the requirements of subparagraphs “b” and “c” of the first paragraph of this clause do not apply to vehicles of specialized and/or special purpose that perform functions of repairing railway tracks (mobile welding complexes of the KSM-005 brand).

{Clause 22.5 supplemented with a paragraph according to CM Resolution No. 1217 dated 28.10.2022; as amended by CM Resolution No. 861 dated 15.08.2023}

During the period of martial law in Ukraine and for three months from the day of its termination or cancellation, the requirements of the first and second paragraphs of this clause do not apply to vehicles carrying out cargo transportation for the purpose of their use for liquidation of consequences of emergency situations at critical infrastructure facilities, as well as to vehicles of specialized and/or special purpose involved in liquidation of consequences of emergency situations at critical infrastructure facilities, which move within the territory of the region where such facilities are located, by decision of the head of the relevant regional military administration. Movement of such vehicles on artificial structures with exceeding the permissible actual mass or those whose overall height (with or without cargo) exceeds the parameters defined by road sign 3.18, without the appropriate permit is prohibited.

{Clause 22.5 supplemented with a paragraph according to CM Resolution No. 1605 dated 05.12.2025}

{Clause 22.5 as amended by CM Resolution No. 105 dated 09.02.2022 - valid during the period of martial law and for one year after its termination or cancellation, taking into account changes made by CM Resolution No. 748 dated 21.07.2023}

22.6. Vehicles carrying out road transportation of dangerous goods must move with low beam headlights on, rear position lights on, and identification signs installed in cases defined by special rules, provided for by clause 30.3 of these Rules, and oversized and heavy vehicles, agricultural machinery whose width exceeds 2.6 m - also with an orange flashing beacon (flashing beacons) turned on.

{Clause 22.6 as amended by CM Resolution No. 634 dated 09.07.2008; as amended by CM Resolutions No. 196 dated 26.02.2020, No. 1105 dated 11.11.2020}

22.7. Agricultural machinery whose width exceeds 2.6 m must be equipped with the “Vehicle identification sign” sign.

Agricultural machinery whose width exceeds 2.6 m must move accompanied by an escort vehicle, which moves behind and occupies the extreme left position relative to the dimensions of the agricultural machinery, and which is equipped in compliance with the requirements of standards with an orange flashing beacon, the activation of which does not give priority in traffic, but is only an auxiliary means of information for other road users. During movement, such machinery is prohibited from even partially occupying the oncoming traffic lane. The escort vehicle also has a road sign “Obstacle bypass on the left side” installed, which must comply with the requirements of standards.

It is also mandatory to install clearance lights along the width of the agricultural machinery dimensions on the left and right.

It is prohibited to move agricultural machinery whose width exceeds 2.6 m in a column and in conditions of insufficient visibility.

{Rules supplemented with clause 22.7 according to CM Resolution No. 196 dated 26.02.2020}