From halving the fines to increasing the speed on the highway/ The implementation of the new rules of the Road Code begins

2023-04-26 17:16:21, Aktualitet CNA

From halving the fines to increasing the speed on the highway/ The

In the offices where the fines are paid since the beginning of the week, but also in the postal service offices, as of today, the implementation of the new rules of halving the amount of the car fine, if it is paid within the 15-day deadline, has started.

Previously, drivers who paid an administrative measure within 5 days received a 20% discount. Now with the new rules, with the changes approved in the Highway Code, if it is paid within 15 days, the value of the fine will be paid with a 50% reduction.

"In all cases provided for by a fine, if the collection of the value of the fine by the offender is made within 15 days from the day the fine is registered or the decision has taken final form, the fine is reduced by 50% of the value", it is defined in the amended Traffic Code .

The new rules range from halving the amount of fines for cars if paid within the deadline to extending the validity period of licenses from 10 years to 15 years, increasing the maximum speed to circulate on the highway to tougher fines if not apply the rules for children entered into force after the approval of the amendments to the Road Code of the Republic of Albania.

The draft law "On some changes and additions to the law no. 8378, dated 22.7.1998 "Road Code of the Republic of Albania", was approved by the Assembly in the session of March 16. The amended law was published in the Official Gazette on April 6, 2023 and according to its article 21, it enters into force 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette, which means that the new rules entered into force on April 21, 2023.

Also, the Road Transport Service Directorate confirms that all the articles of the Road Code, which are related to the DPSHTRR tax, have started to be implemented from the first day of the entry into force of the changes.

For driving licenses, their validity period is extended by 5 years. Specifically, driving licenses of categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE, according to age group, were valid for 10 years, if they were issued to persons up to the age of 50; 5 years, for those who have passed the age of 50 and 3 years, for those who have passed the age of 70.

With the new rules, driving licenses of categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE according to age groups are valid for 15 years if they are issued or confirmed for persons up to the age of 70.

For persons over 70 years of age, confirmation of the validity of the driving license is done by submitting a medical certificate issued by one of the medical bodies provided for in point 2 of article 117 of this Code, from which it results that the owner of this certificate meets all the requirements physical and psychological required.

Changes to the Highway Code increase the maximum speed allowed to travel on the motorway from the previous 110 km/h to 130 km/h.

Changes to the Highway Code:

Article 114 point 2

it Was

Anyone who drives motor vehicles must not have passed the age of: a) seventy years old, to drive motor vehicles for goods transport; b) sixty-five years old, to drive buses, trucks, trucks with trailers, semi-trailers and other articles, designated for the transport of people. This limit can be increased every year up to seventy years old, when the manager presents a special proof of physical and mental requirements, after an annual specialized medical visit, according to the ways defined in the applicable acts.
done

"2. Whoever drives a motor vehicle must not have exceeded the age of seventy years to drive buses, trucks, trucks with trailers, semi-trailers, other articulated vehicles, designated for the transport of persons and motor vehicles for the transport of goods."

Article 117/1 Restrictions for drivers of motor vehicles

it Was

Holders of domestic driving licenses of group "A" for the first three years after obtaining the driving license are not allowed to drive motor vehicles with a power of 25 kW specific to the load, or 0.16 kW/kg.

Article 117/1 Restrictions for drivers of road vehicles

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After point 1, point 1/1 is added with the following content: "1/1. Holders of driving licenses of category B, in the first two years of issuance, are not allowed to drive motor vehicles with a specific power, referring to the vehicle's empty weight, greater than 55 kg/ton. For electric or plug-in hybrid cars, the specific power limit is 65 kg/tonne, including battery weight. This point applies only to driving licenses that are issued after the entry into force of this law."

Article 120 point 2

Driving exercises

it Was

The authorization allows the trainee to exercise with tools of that category, for which the driving permit or the extension of its validity has been requested, provided that there is a person at the side, in the function of the approved instructor, with an age not older than 65 years old and not less than 30 years old, equipped with a valid driving license for the same vehicle category, which he has had for at least 10 years, or with a valid driving license for a higher vehicle category; the instructor must be very careful when moving the vehicle and intervene at the right moment and effectively.

Article 120 point 2

Driving exercises

done

The authorization allows the trainee to practice with tools of that category, for which the driving license or the extension of its validity has been requested, provided that there is a person at the side, in the function of the approved instructor, with an age not older than 70 years old and not less than 30 years old, equipped with a valid driving license for the same vehicle category, which he has had for at least 10 years, or with a valid driving license for a higher vehicle category; the instructor must be very careful when moving the vehicle and intervene at the right moment and effectively.

Article 124 Term and confirmation of the validity of the driving license

it Was

Driving licenses of categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE, according to age group, are valid for: - 10 years, if they are issued or confirmed for persons up to the age of 50; - 5 years, for those who have passed the age of 50; -3 years, for those over 70.

Driving licenses of categories C1, C1E, C and CE, according to age group, are valid for: - 5 years, if they are issued or confirmed for persons up to the age of 65; -2 years, for people over 65 years old. According to the provisions of letter "a", point 2, of article 114, for persons over 65 years of age, category C and CE driving licenses are issued for driving vehicles whose total weight, with full load, is no more than 20 tons.

Driving licenses of categories D1, D1E, D and DE, according to age group, are valid for: - 5 years, if they are issued or confirmed for persons up to the age of 65; -3 years, for persons aged 65 and over. According to the provisions of letter "b", point 2, of article 114, for persons over 65 years old, the driving license of categories D1 or D, or D1E or DE is issued only for driving vehicles, for which the equipment with driving license of category B is required. or the EU.

Special driving permits, issued to persons with disabilities, categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE, are valid for: -5 years, if they were issued or confirmed for persons up to the age of 60 ;-3 years for people over 60 years old.

Special driving permits, issued to persons with disabilities, of categories C1, C1E, C and CE, are valid for: -5 years, if they were issued or confirmed for persons up to the age of 50: -3 years, when the holder hers is over 50 years old. These permits are not renewable after the age of 65.

Driving license holders, according to points 2, 3, 4 and 5, when they turn 80 years old, renew the validity of their driving license every year after verifying the existence of physical and mental data by the relevant medical commissions, based on point 5 of article 117 .

Article 124

done

1. Points 1, 2, 4 and 5 are changed as follows:

"1. Driving licenses of categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE according to age groups are valid for: - 15 years if they are issued or confirmed for persons up to the age of 70; - for persons over 70 years of age, confirmation of the validity of the driving license is done by submitting a medical certificate issued by one of the medical bodies provided for in point 2 of Article 117 of this Code, from which it results that the owner of this certificate fulfills all the required physical and mental requirements.

2. Driving licenses of categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE according to age groups are valid for: - 5 years if they are issued or confirmed for persons up to the age of 70; According to the provision of point 2 of Article 114 of this Code for persons over 65 years of age, category C and CE driving licenses are issued for driving vehicles whose total mass with full load is not more than 20 tons. According to the provisions of point 2 of article 114 of this Code for persons over 65 years of age, the driving license of categories D1 or D, or D1E or DE is issued only for driving vehicles for which the equipment with a driving license of category B or BE is required.

3. Special driving permits, issued to persons with disabilities, of categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE, are valid for: - 5 years if they were issued or confirmed for persons up to the age 65 years old; - 3 years for people over 65 years old.

4. Special driving permits, issued to persons with disabilities, of categories C1, C1E, C and CE are valid for: - 5 years if they are issued or confirmed for persons up to the age of 65: These permits are not renewed after age 65.”

5. b) Items 3 and 6 are repealed.

Article 132

Circulation of vehicles and motorcycles belonging to Albanian citizens living abroad or foreigners.

it Was

For vehicles, motor vehicles and trailers temporarily imported or new from the factory purchased for export, which have fulfilled the customs formalities, when necessary, and which belong to Albanian citizens residing abroad or foreigners passing through Albania, a traffic permit is issued with a maximum duration of 15 days, excluding any possible extension of the deadline, as well as a special recognition plate, as defined in the applicable acts.

Article 132

Circulation of vehicles and motorcycles belonging to Albanian citizens living abroad or foreigners

done

For vehicles, motor vehicles and trailers temporarily imported or new from the factory purchased for export, which have fulfilled the customs formalities, when necessary, and which belong to Albanian citizens residing abroad or foreigners passing through Albania, a traffic permit is issued with a maximum duration of 30 days, excluding any possible extension, as well as a special recognition plate, as defined in the applicable acts.
Article 140, point 1 Speed ??limits

it Was

1. To ensure circulation and protect people's lives, the maximum speed cannot exceed 110 km/h for highways, 90 km/h for main interurban roads, 80 km/h for secondary interurban roads and local interurban roads and 40 km/h hours for streets in residential centers.

done

1. To ensure circulation and protect people's lives, the maximum speed cannot exceed 130 km/h for highways, 90 km/h for main interurban roads, 80 km/h for secondary interurban roads and local interurban roads and 40 km/h hours for streets in residential centers.

Article 169, point 5

it Was

The motor vehicle driver is obliged to become visible in traffic in dark conditions, wearing an approved phosphorescent vest. Anyone who does not comply with this obligation is punished by an administrative measure with a fine from one thousand to three thousand ALL.

In Article 169 point 5

done

The driver of motor vehicles is obliged to become visible on interurban roads from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, as well as during the day in foggy cases, when there is snow, there is heavy rain. To do this, the driver of the motor vehicle is obliged to use an approved fluorescent/phosphorescent vest or technical clothing with phosphorescent elements. Anyone who does not comply with this obligation is punished by an administrative measure with a fine from 1000 (one thousand) to 3 (three thousand) ALL.

Article 170, points 1,4,6 and 8 Use of seat belts and restraint systems

it Was

1. The driver and passengers occupying the front seats of vehicles of categories M1, M2, M3 and N1, N2, N3 according to the classification of article 47, point 2, manufactured from January 1978, are obliged to wear safety belts in any type of vehicle movement. This obligation also applies to passengers sitting in the back seats, for vehicles manufactured since May 1990. The exception is vehicles of categories M2 and M3, which are used for urban transport or those vehicles where standing is allowed.

4. Passengers up to the age of 12 may sit in the front seats of vehicles of categories M1, N1, N2 and N3 classified in article 47, point 2, only when they are held by suitable restraint systems. Children must not be transported in rear-facing restraint systems on passenger seats protected by air bags, unless the latter are deactivated.

5. Passengers up to the age of 4 sitting in the back seats of M1 category vehicles must be restrained through special restraint systems.

6. The rate of point 5 does not apply to passengers up to the age of 4 who travel with public taxi service cars for the transport of people or rental service with a driver during the service, when they circulate in residential centers or on routes from or to train station, ports and airports, provided that they are accompanied by at least one passenger of at least 18 years of age.

7. Anyone who does not use safety belts and restraint systems, provided for passengers up to 12 years old, is punished with an administrative measure, with a fine from five thousand to fifteen thousand lek. When the offense pertains to a minor, the responsibility falls on the driver of the vehicle or, when present at the time of the offense, on the person charged with the supervision of this child. If he is the driver of the vehicle, in addition to the administrative measure of punishment with a fine, the complementary administrative measure of suspension of the driving license for a period of 6 to 12 months is also taken.

Article 170

done

The following changes and additions are made:

1. a) Point 1 is amended as follows: "1. The driver and passengers of vehicles of category L6, equipped with a closed cabin and of vehicles of categories M1, M2, M3 and N1, N2, N3 according to the classification of article 47, point 2, of this Code, equipped with belts safety, are obliged to place them in any type of vehicle movement. The exception is vehicles of categories M2 and M3, which are used for urban transport or those vehicles where standing is allowed."

2. b) Item 4 is amended as follows: "4. Children up to the age of 3 must travel secured with appropriate approved restraint systems, suitable for their weight, in the rear seats of the vehicle. They can travel in the front seats of vehicles of categories M1, N1, N2 and N3 classified in article 47, point 2, of this Code, secured with suitable fixing systems, facing backwards, only when the airbags are disabled. Child restraint systems must be installed in the vehicle in accordance with the instructions given by the manufacturer.".

3. c) After point 4, points 4/1 and 4/2 are added with the following content: "4/1. In vehicles of categories M1, N1, N2 and N3 without appropriate restraint systems, children up to three years of age cannot travel. 4/2. Children over the age of three are not allowed to sit in the front seats when their height does not exceed 1.50 m."

ç) In items 5 and 6, the words "at the age of 4 years" are replaced by the words "at the age of 3 years".

15. d) In point 8, the first paragraph is amended as follows: "Anyone who does not use safety belts and restraint systems for children is punished by an administrative measure with a fine from 5,000 (five thousand) to 15,000 (fifteen thousand) lek . When the offense is committed by a minor, the responsibility falls on the driver of the vehicle or, when present at the time of the offense, on the one charged with the supervision of this child. In case he is the driver of the vehicle, in addition to the administrative measure of punishment with a fine, the additional administrative measure of suspension of the driving license for a period of 6 to 12 months is also taken."

Article 203 points 1 and 2

it Was

1. Revenues from administrative measures with fines for the violations provided for by the articles of this Code, are paid by the offender within 5 days from the day the decision became final, except for cases where this Code provides for a fine in place. After this deadline, for each day of delay, 2 percent interest is paid up to one month. When the fine is not paid or cannot be extracted from the offender's income, in the case of a motor vehicle driver, the vehicle is impounded for up to three months and after this period the vehicle is sold by auction, giving the difference in Lek to the offender.

In all cases provided for by fines, if the amount of the fine is collected from the offender within 5 days from the day the decision became final, the fine is reduced by 20 percent of the value.

Article 203 points 1 and 2

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Revenues from administrative measures with fines for the violations provided for by the articles of this Code are paid by the offender within 15 days from the day the fine is registered or the decision is final, except for cases where this Code provides for a fine in place. After this deadline, for each day of delay, 2 percent interest is paid up to one month. When the fine is not paid or cannot be extracted from the offender's income, in the case of a motor vehicle driver, the vehicle is impounded for up to three months and after this period the vehicle is sold by auction, giving the difference in Lek to the offender.
In all cases provided for with a fine, if the collection of the value of the fine is made by the offender within 15 days from the day the fine is registered or the decision has become final, the fine is reduced by 50 percent of the value./ Monitor