Uzbekistan enforces stricter traffic rules: 12 penalty points lead to license suspension

A new law in Uzbekistan stipulates that drivers accumulating more than 12 penalty points for traffic violations within a year will be deprived of their right to drive. The measure is part of the law "On Amendments and Changes to the Criminal, Criminal Procedure Codes of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Code of Administrative Responsibility in Connection with the Improvement of the Road Safety System," which was adopted on February 20 and takes effect upon its official publication.

According to amendments to the Code of Administrative Responsibility, drivers will now face stricter administrative penalties for accumulating excessive penalty points. The revised system includes the following provisions:

• Each traffic violation will accrue penalty points in addition to the main penalty.
• The maximum penalty points per violation shall not exceed two points.
• Points will be calculated for one year from the date of the first recorded offense.
• After one year, points accumulated from previous violations will be automatically removed.

If a driver exceeds 12 penalty points within a year, they will be deprived of their driving rights for a minimum of six months, following the procedure applicable to their last violation.

The law also introduces administrative penalties for the following violations:

• Failure to comply with safety rules for vehicles operating on compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or mixed fuels.
• Violations in passenger transportation regulations.
• Failure to follow overtaking rules.
• Engaging in road hooliganism.
• Distorting or distributing photos and videos of law enforcement officers in a way that discredits them.

This legislative change comes alongside the recent criminalization of drunk driving and evasion of traffic stops, reinforcing Uzbekistan’s commitment to improving road safety.