The new rules are due to enter into force in July 2026, following a six-month transition period.
The move comes against the backdrop of the repeatedly extended EU–Ukraine road transport agreement, which has been criticised by EU carriers for creating unequal competitive conditions.
Alignment with EU social legislation
Ukraine’s Ministry of Communities and Territorial Development has adopted a revised set of rules governing the working time and rest of professional drivers. The legal act was approved under Regulation No. 1727 and has been officially registered and published.
The document implements key elements of EU social legislation, including provisions equivalent to Regulation (EC) No 561/2006, Directive 2002/15/EC, and decisions of the EU–Ukraine Joint Committee concerning the use of second-generation smart tachographs.
According to Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Communities Serhiy Derkach, the changes are intended to bring clarity for both operators and drivers and support Ukraine’s integration into the EU transport market.
Driving and rest time limits
The revised rules introduce limits already familiar to EU operators:
- daily driving time limited to 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice a week
- maximum 56 hours of driving per week
- maximum 90 hours over two consecutive weeks
After 4.5 hours of driving, drivers must take a 45-minute break, which may be split into periods of 15 and 30 minutes.
The use of properly functioning tachographs will remain mandatory.
Smart tachographs and extended record checks
Technology plays a central role in the harmonisation process. From 30 June 2026, all trucks registered in Ukraine and engaged in international road transport will be required to use G2V2 smart tachographs.
The data retention period will also be extended:
- drivers must carry records covering the current day and the previous 56 days
- transport companies must store tachograph data for two years
New obligations and tighter social standards
Several areas that were previously weakly regulated are now addressed explicitly.
First, the new rules introduce a ban on taking the regular weekly rest in the vehicle cab. A regular weekly rest of at least 45 hours must be taken under appropriate conditions, with accommodation provided at the carrier’s expense, in line with EU requirements.
Second, night work will be limited to a maximum of 10 hours per shift. This limit applies not only to driving, but also to other activities such as loading, unloading and waiting.
EU–Ukraine transport agreement in context
The road transport agreement between the EU and Ukraine was signed on 29 June 2022, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its aim was to support Ukraine’s access to international markets by easing road transport operations through EU territory.
In practice, the agreement allows Ukrainian and EU carriers to carry out bilateral and transit transport without additional permits. The agreement has been extended several times, most recently in September 2025, when it was prolonged until 31 March 2027.
While the extension was supported by most EU Member States, Poland voted against it. Polish Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Stanisław Bukowiec warned that support for Ukraine should not come at the expense of EU transport companies.
According to the Polish government, the agreement has contributed to unequal competitive conditions in international road freight transport, particularly affecting Polish hauliers.
Equal rules instead of one-sided liberalisation
The adoption of EU-aligned social rules may mark a shift in how Ukraine’s integration into the European transport market is managed.
If the new regulations are effectively enforced, one of the key cost advantages cited by EU carriers — more flexible rules on drivers’ working time — would be significantly reduced.
While the changes do not address all competitive concerns, they represent a move towards aligning obligations and social standards, rather than relying solely on market liberalisation.
