Police fines for not having a first aid kit in the trunk: are such protocols legal

The Police Issues Fines for Trunk Contents

Recently, the police in Ukraine have been actively issuing protocols for the absence of a first aid kit or fire extinguisher in the car trunk. The fine for this is 340 hryvnias, and lawyers consider such actions unlawful.

Article 121 does not mention first aid kits or fire extinguishers for private passenger cars. The police abuse the vagueness of the law, and such fines can be successfully challenged in court - says lawyer Andriy H. from Lviv.

The law requires a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher only for service vehicles, taxis, buses, and freight transport. For ordinary drivers, the absence of these items can only be a basis for a warning under Article 125 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.

Ambiguity on the Roads

Many drivers pay the fine immediately, but in cases of appeal, the court usually sides with the driver. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Internal Affairs denies any changes in the approach to road checks.

The police in Ukraine actively issues fines for the absence of a first aid kit or fire extinguisher in the car trunk. However, lawyers consider such actions by the police unlawful, as the law requires these items only for certain types of transport. Many drivers are fined, but when appealing decisions, the court often comes down on their side.