The Minister noted that a mechanism for compensating the costs of adapting cars to the needs of veterans will be launched next year. During 2025, it is planned to adopt all the necessary regulatory framework so that payments start at the beginning of 2026.
“This year we will prepare all the documents, and the program itself will be in effect from next year. According to the project, compensation for retrofitting one's own car will amount to up to 70 thousand hryvnias. Veterans with the status of persons with disabilities due to the war will be able to receive it,” the head of the agency said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
To participate in the program, it will be necessary to confirm a valid driving license. This is a key requirement that guarantees the safety of both the driver and other road users.
“Even if a veteran had a driver's license before becoming disabled, he must certify that he can still drive a car. The safety of the person and others on the road is paramount,” Kalmykova emphasized.
According to preliminary estimates, the program will cover several thousand people. These are those who need to adapt their car to physical limitations: installation of manual controls, special pedals, seats, or additional mechanisms.
Let us add that the “Car for the Defender” initiative provides not only compensation for technical retrofitting but also reimbursement of the cost of mandatory civil liability insurance for combatants and persons with disabilities due to the war.
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs predicts that by the end of 2026, about 400 veterans will be able to adapt their cars and take advantage of insurance payments. In total, approximately 500 million hryvnias will be allocated for this program.
