Updated Code Of Administrative Offences Comes Into Effect In Belarus: Some ‘Suprises’ For Drivers

What are the innovations?

On March 1, the updated Code of Administrative Offences came into effect in Belarus. Among other things, it contains innovations for drivers.

The av.by edition reminded drivers of the main provisions of the new Code.

The document eased liability (mainly by reducing the size of fines) for more than 200 notions. 110 previously effective norms were excluded from the Code of Administrative Offenses, and 230 sanctions were adjusted. Meanwhile, some of the norms for motorists have become stricter. In particular, for drunk driving with a degree of intoxication from 0.3 to 0.8 ppm inclusive, a fine of 100 base fees, and deprivation of the right to drive for 3 years (previously the fine was 50 to 100 base fees) are imposed; over 0.8 ppm - 200 base fees and 5 years.

In the new Code of Administrative Offenses, an additional gradation of responsibility for speeding has been introduced. For 30-40 km / h - the penalty is a fine of 3 to 10 base fees, if the difference is even higher, then it will increase the fine - 8 to 12 base fees. For speeding that was captured by photo fixing cameras, a fine is imposed in accordance with the lower bar of Article 18.12 of the Code of Administrative Offences: from 10 to 20 km / h - a fine of up to 1 base fee, however, since there is no minimum fine, the penalty will be 0.5 base fees; from 20 to 30 km / h - a fine in the amount of 1 base fee; from 30 to 40 km / h - a fine of 3 base fees; from 40 km / h and more - a fine within 8 base fees.

The responsibility for driving a vehicle without technical inspection and without insurance is divided, depending on its ownership. If the car is registered in the name of an individual, then its owner will be responsible for the violations committed (up to 3 base fees). But if the car is owned by a legal entity, the punishment will be borne not by the hired driver, but by the organization (up to 10 base fees).

The new Code of Administrative Offenses contains such a clause as exemption from administrative liability by means of a warning (Article 8.3). We are talking about administrative offenses, that is, minor violations. In this case, the driver must agree with the offense, and have no similar offense before that. For example, this innovation will apply to failure to conduct technical inspection, or talking on the phone, but not to speeding.

Fines for those who travel without car insurance will be reduced. Previously, for this one faced a fine of 3 to 5 base fees, now - from 1 to 3. The article for driving a vehicle without a license (Article 18.14 of the Code of Administrative Offences) in terms of the amount of the fine has not been amended. Part 1 provides for a fine of 5 to 20 base fees, if repeated during the year (Part 2) - 20 to 50 base fees. Part 2, in addition to the fine, now includes community service or administrative arrest.

As for ATVs, and drivers’ licences “only with automatic transmission”, we are discussing the new bill with an expert.

Approaches have been changed regarding the terms during which a citizen is considered to be subject to an administrative penalty. The new Code of Administrative Offenses has a differentiated approach: the one-year term is retained only for those who have committed a gross offense. A person with an administrative violation will not be considered subject to penalty from the date of execution of the imposed penalty (for example, payment of a fine), and a significant administrative violation will be leveled after six months.