02. 11. 2026

New licensing conditions for carriers: what the draft provides and why November is the deadline

November 2026 has begun — this is the month the Ministry for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport names as the deadline for adopting updated licensing conditions for passenger and freight carriers. This is a European integration commitment and a condition for further extending the “transport visa-free regime” with the EU. Important: as of 1 November, this is a draft Cabinet of Ministers resolution; we have not found an adopted document.

In short:

• every carrier must have at least one transport manager with a valid certificate;
• for trucks over 3.5 t and buses — financial standing of at least €9,000 for the first vehicle and €5,000 for each additional one;
• business reputation will be checked annually through the EKIS system;
• the resolution will enter into force two months after publication;
• existing carriers will have a year to confirm compliance.

Who this concerns

The draft covers nine types of activity:

• domestic bus passenger transport (except staff transport and transport of schoolchildren or students);
• domestic taxi transport;
• domestic transport by cars on demand;
• domestic freight transport of dangerous goods and waste;
• international bus passenger transport;
• international taxi transport;
• international transport by cars on demand;
• international freight transport;
• international freight transport of dangerous goods and waste.

Transport manager

The professional competence requirement is met if the transport manager holds a valid certificate of professional competence. The manager must be a resident of Ukraine and have an actual link to the carrier: be an employee, head, owner or co-owner, or work under a civil-law contract.

One manager may simultaneously manage no more than four carriers with no more than 50 vehicles in total (excluding trailers and semi-trailers). The manager’s duties include, in particular, allocating drivers and loads, monitoring the technical condition and maintenance of vehicles, checking documents, briefings and monitoring work and rest schedules.

Business reputation

The head of the company and the manager must not have an unexpunged or outstanding conviction for transport-related crimes or administrative offences under Article 91 of the Law “On Road Transport”. This will be checked annually through the Unified Complex of Information Systems (EKIS).

Financial standing

The book value of fixed and current assets for the last reporting year (or a bank guarantee or insurance contract) must be at least:

• trucks over 3.5 t and buses — €9,000 for the first vehicle and €5,000 for each additional one;
• small trucks (over 2.5 t up to 3.5 t) — €900 for each additional vehicle;
• light freight vehicles (up to 3.5 t) — €1,800 for the first vehicle and €900 for each additional one;
• taxis and cars on demand — a valid civil liability insurance contract covering passengers.

During martial law, submission of financial confirmation is postponed.

Drivers, staff and premises

Drivers must have no medical contraindications, complete a briefing and internship and periodic first-aid training, and meet age, category, experience and competence requirements depending on the type of transport. Staff who monitor the technical condition of vehicles and maintain them must have relevant education or retraining and take refresher courses.

Information about staff will be submitted to EKIS within 20 working days. A carrier must also have an office for documents and parking and maintenance spaces, and must register at least one vehicle within 20 working days of receiving the licence.

When it may take effect

According to the ministry, the resolution will enter into force two months after official publication. Existing licensees will have a year to confirm compliance. Financial standing can be confirmed 6 months after the end of martial law, with one further year to do so.

There is no exact date yet: in September, the deputy head of Ukrtransbezpeka said the updated conditions may start to apply by the end of 2026. We will follow the adoption and update this news.

What you can do now

Under the draft, the manager will be responsible, in particular, for the technical condition of vehicles and compliance with work and rest schedules, so it is worth putting documents in order in advance. Centr Avto can help with vehicle inspection and tachograph calibration: 098 500 5252.

FAQ

Are the new licensing conditions already in force?

No. This is a draft Cabinet of Ministers resolution. As of 1 November 2026, we have not found an adopted document.

Does each carrier need a separate manager?

Every carrier must have at least one manager, but one manager may manage no more than four carriers with a total fleet of up to 50 vehicles.

Can financial standing be confirmed without an asset report?

Yes. You can choose an asset report, a bank guarantee, a passenger liability insurance contract, or, for a business operating for less than a year, a bank statement or a credit line certificate.

Source: Ministry for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport, Interfax-Ukraine (in Ukrainian)