LAW OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA ON ENSURING ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY

This page presents an unofficial translation of the current version of the law at https://www.arlis.am/hy/acts/223095 Since no official current version exists, this English translation was prepared to familiarize users with the traffic rules of Armenia.

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Subject and objective of regulation of this Law

This Law regulates relations arising in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety of the Republic of Armenia; establishes the principles and directions of state policy in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety, the legal foundations for organizing road traffic and ensuring safety, the powers of state administration and local self-government bodies in the sphere of organizing road traffic and ensuring safety, as well as the rights and obligations of road users.

The objective of this Law is to preserve the life, health and property of citizens, their rights and legitimate interests, the interests of society and the state, by preventing threats to road traffic safety, in particular road traffic accidents, and reducing their severity and consequences.

Article 2. Basic concepts used in this Law

The following basic concepts are used in this Law:

insufficient visibility — visibility of the road and (or) sighting distance of up to 300 meters under conditions of fog, rain, snowfall and (or) other weather unfavorable for ensuring road traffic safety;

driving track (autodrome) — a fenced, isolated, closed area equipped with stationary structures, devices and elements, intended for performing exercises for the purpose of training in the driving of vehicles or acquiring skills;

driving ground (auto-ground) — an isolated area equipped with movable devices and elements, intended for performing exercises for the purpose of training in the driving of vehicles;

automobile — a mechanical vehicle intended for the carriage of people or goods by road or for towing a vehicle used for the carriage of goods (passenger car, bus, lorry, cargo-passenger vehicle, special vehicle, electric vehicle). This concept includes trolleybuses, that is, non-rail vehicles connected to an electric wire. The concept does not include such vehicles as agricultural tractors whose use for the carriage of people or goods by road or for towing a vehicle used for the carriage of goods is a supplementary function;

populated area (settlement) — a built-up territory, the entrance to and exit from which are marked by settlement road signs;

carriageway — an element of the road intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles;

traffic lane — a marked or unmarked longitudinal strip of the carriageway whose width is sufficient for the movement of vehicles in a single file;

railway crossing — an intersection at the same level of a road with the tracks of a railway or tram having a separate roadbed;

public-use vehicle — a vehicle carrying passengers and (or) baggage along routes having stopping points (stops) (tram, trolleybus, bus);

permissible maximum mass — the mass of an equipped and fueled vehicle with the driver, passengers and cargo, which the manufacturing organization has established as the maximum permissible. The permissible maximum mass of a combination of vehicles moving as a single unit is considered to be the sum of the permissible maximum masses of all the vehicles included in its composition;

intersection — a place where roads cross, join or branch at the same level, including the territory formed by such crossing, joining or branching, which is conventionally bounded by imaginary lines connecting respectively the opposite starting points of the curvatures present in the zone of crossing, joining or branching of the carriageways of these roads. An exit from an adjacent territory onto a road is not considered an intersection;

organized pedestrian column — a group of people moving together along the road in one direction in the manner established by law;

stopping (halt) — the deliberate bringing of a vehicle to a stationary state for a period of up to 5 minutes or for the time necessary for the boarding or alighting of a passenger and (or) the loading or unloading of the vehicle;

parking (standing) — the deliberate bringing of a vehicle to a stationary state for more than 5 minutes, except to prevent a collision with another road user or some obstacle, for the boarding or alighting of a passenger and (or) the loading or unloading of the vehicle, as well as other cases provided by law;

traffic controller (regulator) — a person having powers to regulate road traffic and exercising this regulation in the manner established by law;

road shoulder (verge) — an element of the road adjoining the carriageway, differing from it by the type of surface or designated by appropriate markings, intended for the stopping of a vehicle, the movement of cyclists and pedestrians, the placement of construction materials during road repair, or for other cases established by law;

trailer (semi-trailer) — a vehicle not equipped with an engine, intended to be set in motion by a mechanical vehicle and to move in its composition as a single unit (including a special trailer);

forced stop — the deliberate bringing of a vehicle to a stationary state, caused by a malfunction of the vehicle or the physical and (or) mental state of the driver or passenger and (or) the cargo being carried, in connection with a danger or other obstacle appearing on the road, or in connection with compliance with a prohibiting signal of a traffic light or traffic controller, or to yield the road to other vehicles, or to prevent a collision with another road user or some obstacle, or for the purpose of complying with a demand to stop the vehicle made in the manner established by law by a police officer or other authorized person, or for the purpose of complying with a requirement provided by the Traffic Rules approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia. The rules established by law for stopping do not apply to cases of forced stop;

bicycle — a vehicle having at least two wheels and, as a rule, set in motion by the muscular force of the person on it, in particular by means of a pedal or handle, excluding a wheelchair, which may also have an electric motor with a rated maximum power not exceeding 0.25 kW under continuous load, automatically switching off at a speed of more than 25 km/h;

pedestrian — a person located outside a vehicle on the road, excluding a person having powers to perform work on the road and performing such work in the manner established by law. Equated to a pedestrian is a person moving without an engine in a wheelchair, leading a bicycle, moped, motorcycle, or pulling (pushing) a cargo cart, sledge, baby carriage or wheelchair, as well as a person with a disability moving in a powered wheelchair at pedestrian speed;

pedestrian crossing — an isolated section of the carriageway, marked by road signs and (or) markings and intended for the movement of pedestrians in the manner established by law;

road — a strip of land or the surface of an artificial structure equipped or adapted and used in the manner established by law for the movement of vehicles, having at least one carriageway and, where present, also tram tracks, sidewalks, shoulders and dividing strips;

road traffic — a system of social relations arising in the process of the movement of people and (or) the carriage of goods by road with or without a vehicle;

road traffic safety — a state of protection of traffic participants from road traffic accidents;

technical means of organizing road traffic — road signs, traffic lights, barriers, markings, and the like;

engineering structures of roads — stops, railway crossings, urban electric transport lines, bus shelters, vehicle parking places, rest areas, snow-protection forest belts, plantings, bypass routes located outside the road right-of-way strip, fire-prevention and mudflow-prevention structures, anti-accident dead-ends, road communications, lighting, and the like;

road traffic accident — an event that occurred in the process of the movement of a vehicle along a road and with its participation, as a result of which people were killed or injured, or vehicles, cargo, structures were damaged, or other material damage was caused;

ensuring road traffic safety — activity aimed at preventing road traffic accidents and reducing the severity of their consequences;

road traffic participant (hereinafter — traffic participant) — a person directly participating in road traffic: a driver, pedestrian, passenger;

organization of road traffic — a set of organizational, legal and technical measures aimed at regulating road traffic;

sidewalk — an element of the road adjoining the carriageway or isolated from it in some way, intended for the movement of pedestrians in the manner established by law;

mechanical vehicle — a vehicle set in motion by an engine, including tractors, self-propelled machines and mechanisms (except vehicles whose engine working volume does not exceed 50 cubic centimeters), as well as trolleybuses and electric vehicles;

adjacent territory — a territory directly adjoining the road, not intended for through movement of vehicles (courtyards, parking lots, closed territories, fuel filling stations, and the like);

international traffic — the movement through the Republic of Armenia of a vehicle registered in another country and being in the Republic of Armenia continuously or with an interruption of up to two months and for up to one year;

moped — a two- or three-wheeled mechanical vehicle having an internal combustion engine with a working volume not exceeding 50 cm³, or an electric motor with a rated maximum power of more than 0.25 kW and less than 4 kW under continuous load, the maximum design speed of which does not exceed 50 km/h. Quadricycles having equivalent technical characteristics are equated to a moped;

motorcycle — a two-wheeled mechanical vehicle with or without a sidecar, the engine working volume of which (in the case of an internal combustion engine) exceeds 50 cm³ or the maximum design speed of which (in the case of any engine) exceeds 50 km/h. Equated to a motorcycle are also tricycles with an equipped and fueled mass without driver, passengers, cargo, and, in the case of electric vehicles, also without batteries, not exceeding 400 kg (for vehicles intended for the carriage of goods — 550 kg) and a maximum effective engine power not exceeding 15 kW, as well as quadricycles with a motorcycle-type seating position or with a motorcycle-type handlebar;

state of intoxication (drunken state) — a physical and (or) mental state of a person caused by the consumption of an alcoholic beverage, narcotic substances or psychotropic substances, in which driving a vehicle entails administrative liability;

qualification examination — a theoretical and (or) practical examination conducted in accordance with training programs for acquiring the right to drive a vehicle of the corresponding category;

driver — a person driving a vehicle. Also equated to a driver is a person teaching driving, as well as a person driving along the road pack and (or) riding animals or livestock;

emergency situation — a situation that arose as a result of the action and (or) inaction of a traffic participant and (or) traffic controller, in which a real danger of a road traffic accident is created;

sighting distance — the distance from the observation point, located at the height of the driver's seat, to a visible object located at the same height;

vehicle — a device intended for the carriage by road of a person, cargo or equipment installed on it;

passenger — a person located in the cabin (compartment) of a vehicle or on a vehicle, as well as entering (boarding) a vehicle and exiting (alighting) from it, excluding the driver and the person teaching driving;

dark time of day — the period of time between the end of dusk and the beginning of dawn;

bus — an automobile having more than 8 seating places intended for passengers, by its design and equipment intended for the safe and comfortable carriage of passengers and baggage;

dividing strip — an element structurally and (or) by appropriate markings isolated, separating adjacent carriageways of a road, not intended for the movement or stopping of vehicles and pedestrians;

lorry (cargo automobile) — an automobile, by its design and equipment intended for the carriage of goods;

deceased (killed person) — a person who died as a result of a road traffic accident;

public-use vehicle stopping point — a place intended for the boarding and alighting of passengers at a specified section of the route of a public-use vehicle and equipped with appropriate road signs;

passenger car — an automobile having no more than 8 seating places intended for passengers, by its design and equipment intended for the safe and comfortable carriage of passengers and baggage;

self-made vehicle — a vehicle manufactured by an individual (collective) method in accordance with the technical conditions established for self-made vehicles;

authorized official — an official of the police having powers to draw up a protocol on an administrative offense and (or) to make a decision on its basis;

deregistration — a registration action connected with the registration of a vehicle by another authorized body, or with its export from the territory of the Republic of Armenia or its disposal (utilization);

special territory — a territory guarded by the police or another authorized body, intended for the storage of vehicles on which a seizure (arrest) has been imposed;

re-registration (re-recording) — a registration action connected with a change in any record data of the vehicle (surname, name, address of the owner, type, make, license plate, color of the vehicle, numbers of numbered units, permissible maximum mass, mass without load, special marks in the registration certificate);

reconstruction (re-equipment) — a change in the design of a vehicle connected with the removal of constituent parts or equipment provided for by the vehicle's design that affect the ensuring of road traffic safety, or the installation of those not provided for by the design;

injured person (wounded) — a person who received bodily injury as a result of a road traffic accident, on account of which his subsequent hospitalization or the need for outpatient treatment is conditioned;

state registration of a vehicle — the registration of the emergence, change, termination of ownership rights, pledge and lease under a leasing contract on a vehicle;

road train (auto-train) — a mechanical vehicle coupled with a trailer (semi-trailer) (mechanical vehicles coupled to each other for towing are not considered a road train);

to yield the road to other vehicles — the driver must not continue or resume movement or perform any maneuver if this may compel the drivers of other vehicles to unexpectedly change the direction of movement or speed;

cargo-passenger automobile — an automobile, by its design and equipment intended for the carriage of goods, and also having no more than six seating places intended for passengers, intended for the safe and comfortable carriage of passengers and baggage (the part intended for the carriage of cargo is reliably isolated from the cabin for the carriage of passengers and baggage);

electric vehicle — an automobile set in motion by one or more electric motors powered by an autonomous source of electrical energy (except a trolleybus and tram);

special automobile — an automobile intended for performing, with the help of units, devices and equipment installed on it, various, predominantly non-transport (not connected with the carriage of a person or cargo) works;

special trailer (semi-trailer) — a trailer (semi-trailer) intended for performing, with the help of units, devices and equipment installed on it, various, predominantly non-transport (not connected with the carriage of a person or cargo) works;

tricycle — a vehicle with three wheels symmetrically positioned relative to the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle, the engine working volume of which (in the case of an internal combustion engine) exceeds 50 cm³ and (or) the maximum design speed of which (in the case of any engine) exceeds 50 km/h;

quadricycle — a four-wheeled motor vehicle with a maximum design speed of at least 25 km/h, a maximum engine power of no more than 15 kW, with an equipped and fueled mass without driver, passengers, cargo, and, in the case of electric vehicles, also without batteries, of no more than 400 kg (for vehicles intended for the carriage of goods — no more than 550 kg), intended for operation on public roads;

all-terrain quad (quad bike) — an off-road four-wheeled motor vehicle (all-terrain vehicle) with tires having an internal pressure of no more than 69 kPa (0.7 kgf/cm²), having a seat with a motorcycle-type seating position and a motorcycle-type handlebar, intended for the carriage (movement) of only one person (driver) off public roads. The operation of quad bikes (all-terrain vehicles), as well as swamp buggies and snowmobiles on public roads is prohibited;

personal mobility (transportation) device — a vehicle having one or more wheels (rollers), intended for the individual movement of a person using an electric motor (electric scooter, electric skateboard, hoverboard, segway, monowheel and other similar devices).

(Article 2 supplemented, amended, corrected 21.02.07 ZR-72-N; supplemented 08.04.10 ZR-36-N; corrected, amended, supplemented 15.11.10 ZR-171-N; supplemented, amended 09.12.19 ZR-278-N; corrected 07.02.24 ZR-65-N; supplemented 02.10.24 ZR-361-N)

Article 3. Legislation on ensuring road traffic safety

The legislation on ensuring road traffic safety consists of the Constitution, this Law, other laws and legal acts.

The rights and obligations provided by this Law for citizens of the Republic of Armenia extend to persons who have, in the manner established by law, the status of refugee, and, in cases provided by international treaties of the Republic of Armenia, also to foreign citizens and stateless persons.

If international treaties ratified by the Republic of Armenia establish norms other than those provided by this Law, then the norms of the treaty shall apply.

(Article 3 supplemented 23.03.18 ZR-218-N)

CHAPTER 2. STATE POLICY IN THE SPHERE OF ENSURING ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY

Article 4. State policy in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety

State policy in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety (hereinafter — state policy) represents a system of social, economic, political, organizational, legal and other measures, carried out by state administration and local self-government bodies for the purpose of creating conditions and guarantees for the regulation of road traffic and the ensuring of safety.

State policy is carried out in the manner established by this Law, as well as by comprehensive and annual road traffic safety programs established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 5. Basic principles of state policy in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety

The basic principles of state policy in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety are:

a) the priority of the life and health of traffic participants over the results of economic activity;

b) ensuring a balance of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens, society and the state in the ensuring of road traffic safety;

c) a program-targeted approach to activity aimed at ensuring road traffic safety;

d) the establishment of a unified procedure for carrying out road traffic.

Measures applied for the purpose of ensuring road traffic safety must correspond to the situation, be suitable, necessary and proportionate.

Article 6. Basic directions of state policy in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety

The basic directions of state policy in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety are:

a) the organization of road traffic;

b) state regulation and management of the functioning of the transport system;

c) ensuring the safety of traffic participants on the public roads of the Republic of Armenia;

d) establishing the competence of state administration and local self-government bodies in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety;

e) coordination of the activities of state administration and local self-government bodies, public organizations and other persons for the purpose of preventing road traffic accidents, reducing the degree of their severity and consequences;

f) material and financial support of measures to ensure road traffic safety;

g) the training of vehicle drivers and the instruction of citizens in the rules and requirements of road traffic safety;

h) the carrying out of comprehensive measures in the direction of medical support of road traffic safety;

i) the establishment and carrying out of state control over the implementation of legislation, standards, technical norms and other normative legal acts in the field of ensuring road traffic safety;

j) the prevention, detection (including by means of video or photo recording) of violations of the requirements of legislation, standards, technical norms, the Traffic Rules and other normative legal acts in the field of ensuring road traffic safety and the taking of liability measures provided by law;

k) the carrying out of a policy of social orientation in the field of insurance of vehicles and citizens.

Article 7. Organization of road traffic

Right-hand traffic of vehicles is established on the roads of the Republic of Armenia.

The unified procedure for road traffic in the Republic of Armenia is established by the Traffic Rules, approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 8. Organization of state accounting of the basic indicators of the state of road traffic safety

In the Republic of Armenia, state accounting of the basic indicators of the state of road traffic safety is carried out.

Such indicators are considered to be the number of road traffic accidents, of persons injured as a result of them, of damaged vehicles, of violators of the Traffic Rules, of administrative offenses and crimes in the field of road traffic, as well as other indicators reflecting the state of road traffic safety and the results of measures aimed at ensuring it.

State accounting of road traffic accidents is carried out by the police in the manner established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

The accounting of persons injured (killed and wounded) as a result of road traffic accidents is carried out by medical organizations in the manner established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

The accounting of administrative offenses in the field of road traffic is carried out in the manner established by orders of the head of the authorized state administration body in the field of internal affairs, and the accounting of offenses in the field of road traffic committed by drivers of vehicles of the authorized state administration body in the field of defense — in the manner established by orders of the head of the authorized state administration body in the field of defense.

(Article 8 amended 21.02.07 ZR-72-N, 16.12.22 ZR-476-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZR-476-N has a transitional provision and a concluding part)

CHAPTER 3. POWERS OF STATE ADMINISTRATION BODIES IN THE SPHERE OF ENSURING ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY

Article 9. Powers of the Government of the Republic of Armenia in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety

In the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety, the Government of the Republic of Armenia:

a) carries out state policy and bears responsibility for ensuring road traffic safety;

b) approves comprehensive and annual road traffic safety programs, as well as the reports submitted by their executors;

c) approves the Traffic Rules;

d) (point repealed 08.12.10 ZR-228-N)

e) establishes the procedure for taking examinations to obtain a driver's license and for issuing a driver's license, the list of documents mandatory to be submitted to obtain a driver's license to drive vehicles, as well as the forms and descriptions of national and international driver's licenses;

f) establishes the procedure for licensing the activity of conducting technical inspection of vehicles, the conditions and requirements of the license, including the minimum number of lines operated on the basis of this license, the territories of validity of licenses in the administrative-territorial units of the Republic of Armenia;

g) establishes the procedure for conducting technical inspection of vehicles;

h) establishes the requirements for the works of checking the technical condition of vehicles during technical inspection using technical diagnostic means;

i) (point repealed 20.01.21 ZR-58-N)

j) establishes the technical requirements and operating norms for road traffic lights and other technical means;

k) establishes the procedure for state accounting of vehicles, the lists of documents mandatory to be submitted for state registration and state accounting, the form of the certificate of state registration of the ownership right to a vehicle and the documents of state accounting (national and international certificates, the certificate of temporary registration);

l) establishes the procedure for accounting and distribution of vehicle license plates, as well as the requirements for record license plates;

m) establishes the criteria for record license plates of vehicles in high demand;

m.1) establishes the criteria for record license plates of vehicles in special demand;

n) establishes the requirements for the certificate of the right to drive a vehicle;

o) establishes the list of vehicles subject to being equipped with red, blue, yellow (orange), white-lunar flashing beacons;

p) establishes the procedure for coordination with the police of projects for the construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance of roads and their engineering structures and the placement of roadside objects, as well as schemes for the organization of traffic during the performance of road works;

q) establishes the cases (including mandatory), frequency, procedure for carrying out medical examination of persons having a driver's license, as well as persons considered to be candidate drivers, the lists of medical contraindications, medical indications and medical restrictions for the operation of a vehicle, as well as the procedure for providing medical assistance to persons injured by road traffic accidents;

r) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

s) establishes the procedure for issuing, by the authorized state administration body in the field of internal affairs, a permit for the reconstruction of vehicles with a change of record data and a permit for the re-registration of vehicles reconstructed without a permit, as well as the forms of decisions on issuing a permit for the reconstruction of a vehicle, on refusing to issue a permit for the reconstruction of a vehicle, on issuing a permit for the re-registration of a reconstructed vehicle, on refusing to issue a permit for the re-registration of a reconstructed vehicle, and the technical conditions subject to being carried out during reconstruction;

t) (point repealed 09.12.19 ZR-278-N)

u) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

u.1) approves the procedure for the accounting, re-registration of official automobiles of state bodies of the Republic of Armenia and the provision of record license plates to them;

u.2) establishes the procedure for the escorting and escort accompaniment of special-purpose vehicles, ensuring the safe movement of motor vehicle convoys;

u.3) establishes the procedure for examining the sobriety state of a driver, the forms of the protocol of this examination, the referral, the registration journal;

u.4) establishes the procedure for the exchange of necessary information between state bodies and local self-government bodies of the Republic of Armenia and the police for the exercise of powers established by law;

v) establishes the procedure for organizing road traffic;

w) establishes the rules for the movement of vehicles used for the carriage of heavy cargo or exceeding the dimensional sizes established by the Traffic Rules, or operated as part of a road train with two or more trailers;

x) establishes the rules for the carriage of dangerous goods and uncleaned containers;

y) (point repealed 09.12.19 ZR-278-N)

z) carries out other powers established by law;

aa) establishes the form and procedure for issuing a temporary permit allowing the movement of lorries for the purpose of carrying out cargo transportation along the streets of populated areas of the Republic of Armenia on which the movement of lorries is prohibited;

bb) carries out the delegation, to operators performing the functions of service offices of state authority bodies, of the functions of issuing a new certificate in exchange for the certificate of state registration of the ownership right to a vehicle, new license plates containing the same set of letters and digits in exchange for worn-out license plates that have become illegible, issuing an international vehicle record certificate, as well as allocating a new certificate in exchange for a lost record certificate or replacing a worn-out record certificate; approves the list of operators, establishes the model form of the service contract concluded with the operator and the minimum technical requirements imposed on the operator.

(Article 9 amended 21.02.07 ZR-72-N, 08.04.10 ZR-36-N; amended, supplemented 15.11.10 ZR-171-N; corrected 08.12.10 ZR-228-N, 08.12.11 ZR-332-N; amended 21.12.15 ZR-183-N; corrected, supplemented 31.05.19 ZR-40-N; corrected 09.12.19 ZR-278-N, 20.01.21 ZR-58-N, 16.12.22 ZR-476-N; supplemented 12.09.23 ZR-285-N, 02.10.24 ZR-348-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZR-476-N has a concluding part and transitional provisions) (Law 12.09.23 ZR-285-N has a concluding part and a transitional provision)

Article 9.1. Powers of the authorized state administration body in the field of internal affairs in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety

In the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety, the authorized state administration body in the field of internal affairs (hereinafter — the authorized internal affairs body):

a) issues a permit for the reconstruction of vehicles with a change of record data and a permit for the re-registration of vehicles reconstructed without a permit, except in cases of replacement of the body or load-bearing structure with, respectively, a body or load-bearing structure with the same dimensional sizes, or of the engine with an engine having the same technical characteristics, or of a change in the color of the vehicle;

b) in the established manner takes examinations to obtain a driver's license and issues national licenses for the right to drive vehicles, and on their basis — also international driver's licenses;

c) establishes the prices for providing record license plates of vehicles in high demand according to the criteria, the starting auction prices of record license plates in special demand according to the criteria, as well as the regulations of the electronic auction of record license plates in special demand;

c.1) organizes and conducts the electronic auction for providing record license plates of vehicles in special demand;

d) in the established manner carries out the preliminary marking of the right to a vehicle, the state registration, accounting and seizure (arrest) of vehicles, provides the certificate of state registration of the ownership right to a vehicle, the documents of state accounting and record license plates;

e) carries out control over the implementation of the requirements of the legislation on ensuring road traffic safety and takes measures provided by law;

f) using technical means or by means of technical expertise carries out supervision over the ensuring of the technical condition and safety of the equipment of vehicles in the process of their operation in the Republic of Armenia, takes measures provided by law;

g) carries out supervision over bringing roads and their engineering structures, the technical means of organizing road traffic, into conformity with the requirements of technical norms, rules and standards, makes demands for the elimination of detected violations;

h) carries out other powers vested in it by other laws.

(Article 9.1 supplemented 16.12.22 ZR-476-N; amended, supplemented 12.09.23 ZR-285-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZR-476-N has a concluding part and transitional provisions) (Law 12.09.23 ZR-285-N has a concluding part and a transitional provision)

Article 10. Powers of the police of the Republic of Armenia in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety

In the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety, the police of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter — the police):

a) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

b) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

c) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

d) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

e) using technical means or by means of technical expertise carries out supervision over the ensuring of the technical condition and safety of the equipment of vehicles in the process of their operation in the Republic of Armenia, takes measures provided by law;

f) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

g) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

h) regulates road traffic, in cases established by law stops and prohibits the movement of vehicles;

i) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

j) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

k) carries out patrol service;

l) regulates road traffic, including in case of malfunctioning traffic lights — the first 3 hours free of charge, and for each subsequent hour — on the condition of subsequent payment by the body managing the road, which is reimbursed by the organization servicing the traffic lights, in accordance with a contract for work;

m) organizes and conducts preventive measures in the direction of ensuring road traffic safety;

n) by technical means in the established manner carries out the examination of the sobriety state of a driver by measuring the content of pure alcohol in the exhaled air (verification of the fact of being in a drunken state);

o) provides the paid services provided by this Law;

p) publishes information not prohibited by law concerning the ensuring of road traffic safety;

q) cooperates with public organizations dealing with the issues of ensuring road traffic safety;

q.1) (point repealed 16.12.22 ZR-476-N)

q.2) in the established manner issues a temporary permit allowing the movement of lorries for the purpose of carrying out cargo transportation along the streets of populated areas of the Republic of Armenia on which the movement of lorries is prohibited;

q.3) (point repealed 14.11.19 ZR-240-N)

r) carries out other powers established by the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Compulsory Insurance of Liability Arising from the Use of Motor Vehicles" and other legal acts.

Technical means for recording offenses in the sphere of ensuring road traffic safety are installed on roads by the authorized bodies upon the proposal of the police.

(Article 10 amended 21.02.07 ZR-72-N; supplemented 08.04.10 ZR-36-N; amended 18.05.10 ZR-73-N; amended, supplemented 15.11.10 ZR-171-N; amended 18.05.10 ZR-73-N, 08.12.11 ZR-332-N, 21.12.15 ZR-183-N; supplemented 19.10.16 ZR-186-N; corrected 14.11.19 ZR-240-N, 16.12.22 ZR-476-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZR-476-N has a concluding part and transitional provisions)

CHAPTER 4. BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF ENSURING ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY

Article 11. Basic requirements of ensuring road traffic safety in the construction, reconstruction, repair and maintenance of roads and their engineering structures

The design, construction, reconstruction, repair and maintenance of roads and their engineering structures are carried out by state administration and local self-government bodies within the limits of the competence granted to them by law, by bodies authorized by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, as well as by natural and legal persons having such competence in the manner established by law, including the owners of roads.

It is prohibited to reduce capital expenditures in the design, construction, reconstruction, repair and maintenance of roads and their engineering structures at the expense of engineering solutions that negatively affect road traffic safety.

Article 12. Restriction and (or) cessation of road traffic

For the purpose of ensuring the safety of traffic on roads, the movement of vehicles may be temporarily restricted and (or) ceased in the cases and in the manner provided by law.

Article 13. State registration, state accounting of vehicles and restrictions

The rights of ownership, pledge and lease under a leasing contract on vehicles are subject to state registration. The list of types of vehicles subject to state registration is established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

1.1. Prior to the state registration of the right arising from transactions made with a vehicle, the authorized internal affairs body, upon notification by a notary, carries out, in respect of the property in the name of the rightholder, a preliminary marking of the right, which includes information about the vehicle, the data of the rightholder in whose favor the preliminary marking of the right is made.

The ownership right arising from transactions made with a vehicle is subject to (must be submitted for) state registration with the road police within a 15-day period from the day the transaction is signed by the parties, and in the case of the importation of a vehicle into the Republic of Armenia under the customs procedure "Release for domestic consumption" or by natural persons for the purpose of free circulation — within a 15-day period after the day of declaration, except in cases of deregistration connected with the disposal of the vehicle. The state registration and state accounting of vehicles are carried out within one working day after the vehicle is presented to the road police (or the reference on the vehicle data provided by the authorized internal affairs body) and the documents established by law.

The ownership, pledge and lease rights under a leasing contract on a vehicle arising in the Republic of Armenia from transactions made with a vehicle arise (the state recognizes them) from the moment of state registration. If the vehicle that is the subject of a pledge must, in accordance with law or contract, be in the possession of the pledgee, then the pledge right arises from the moment of the transfer to him of the vehicle that is the subject of the pledge, and if it was transferred before the conclusion of the contract — from the moment of its conclusion. The rights and restrictions of spouses in respect of a vehicle established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia have legal force, even if these rights are not separately registered.

Transactions connected with a vehicle may not be carried out without a certificate of the ownership right to the vehicle, and, at the demand of any of the parties to the transaction — also without a reference on restrictions in respect of the alienation of the vehicle, issued by the subdivision of the authorized internal affairs body that carried out the state registration of this vehicle. The reference on restrictions in respect of the alienation of a vehicle is issued within one working day for a period of 5 days, with each subsequent reference on restrictions in respect of the alienation of the same vehicle being issued only after the expiry of the validity period of the previous reference. The risks of non-registration on the ground of the existence of a seizure of rights arising from transactions carried out without a reference on restrictions in respect of the alienation of the vehicle are borne by the parties to the transaction.

Non-compliance with the requirement of registration of the ownership, pledge or lease right under a leasing contract arising from transactions made with a vehicle entails its invalidity (such a transaction is void), except for an ownership right that arose in other countries in the manner established by the legislation of the respective country, non-compliance with the registration requirement of which entails liability established by law.

In the case of offenses committed by this vehicle after the making of transactions with the vehicle (the acquisition of the vehicle) prior to the registration of the ownership right to this vehicle, the liability provided by law for the owner is borne by the buyer, if the seller proves that a proper transaction took place between them.

For vehicles imported into the Republic of Armenia under the customs procedure "Release for domestic consumption" or by natural persons for the purpose of free circulation, the ownership right to which is subject to state registration with the authorized internal affairs body and which do not have record license plates or whose record license plates contain non-Latin letters or non-Arabic digits, after customs clearance the authorized internal affairs body provides transit license plates.

For the state registration of the ownership right to a vehicle, the following must appear at the authorized internal affairs body:

— the alienator (or his representative) and the acquirer (or his representative), if the alienation is executed by a simple written transaction (the conclusion of a simple written transaction and the state registration of the ownership right to a vehicle arising from it, as well as the state registration of the pledge right and the lease right under a leasing contract, may also be carried out on an electronic platform without appearing at the authorized internal affairs body in the manner established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia);

— only the acquirer (or his representative), if he submits:

  a. a court verdict that has entered into legal force, or

  b. a contract of alienation certified by a notary, and, if the vehicle was acquired in another country — a proper document certifying the acquirer's right to the vehicle in the sense of the legislation of that country, or a customs declaration, or

  c. a contract of alienation concluded with a compulsory enforcement officer or a bankruptcy administrator, or a protocol or contract on the acquisition of a vehicle from a commodity exchange, or

  d. a contract of alienation (invoice) of the vehicles specified in part 3 of this article, concluded with an economic entity carrying out commercial activity with vehicles, or

  e. a certificate of the common joint property of spouses issued by a notary, or

  f. a document established by the legislation on the reorganization of legal persons, or

  g. documents established by law certifying the transfer of the ownership right to the pledgee through the levy of execution on the vehicle that is the subject of the pledge in an out-of-court manner;

— the heir of the deceased owner of the vehicle (or his representative), if it is registered in his name.

The state registration and accounting of the rights provided by this Law to a vehicle reconstructed on the basis of a permit of the authorized body, except in cases of deregistration connected with the disposal of the vehicle, are carried out after passing technical inspection in the reconstructed state on the basis of a record (positive conclusion) in the diagnostic card of the technical inspection on the serviceability of the vehicle with respect to the changes made during reconstruction. During the reconstruction of a vehicle, changing the year of manufacture of the vehicle, as well as assembling (creating) a vehicle of another make as a result of reconstruction, are prohibited.

The state registration of the ownership right to a vehicle is rejected if:

— the documents provided by the list of documents mandatory to be submitted for the state registration of vehicles, established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia on the basis of point "l" of part 1 of article 9 of this Law, are not submitted;

— the period established by part 2 of this article for submission for the registration of the ownership right arising from transactions made with a vehicle has not been observed (except for an ownership right that arose in other countries in the manner established by the legislation of the respective country) (a void transaction), except in cases when the non-observance (missing) of the period occurred without the fault of the person, in which case the person may file an application for recognizing the missed period as valid and for its restoration;

— the vehicle is not presented to the authorized internal affairs body, except in cases established by a decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia;

— there is a discrepancy between the real (actual) and documentary data of the vehicle;

— the vehicle or one of its numbered parts is in search (wanted);

— in the manner established by law, a seizure has been applied to the vehicle, except in cases established by article 243.1 of the Civil Code of the Republic of Armenia;

— the vehicle is assembled from separate parts of various vehicles or from separate spare parts, except for self-made vehicles;

— the vehicle is equipped without the appropriate permit with flashing beacons and (or) special sound signals, or color-graphic images, inscriptions and other markings are applied without the appropriate permit to the external surface of the vehicle body, or they do not correspond to the established requirements, if prior to the rejection of the state registration of the ownership right to the vehicle they cannot be eliminated.

The state registration of the pledge right and the lease right under a leasing contract on a vehicle is carried out within a 5-day period after the day of the making of the transaction on the basis of an application submitted to the authorized internal affairs body, to which are attached a contract of pledge or lease of the vehicle drawn up in due form in accordance with the requirements established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, and a copy of the certificate of the ownership right to the vehicle, while the certificate of the ownership right to the vehicle is, at the wish of the pledgee, kept by the pledgee. The pledge right and the lease right under a leasing contract on a vehicle are registered within one working day after the documents specified in this part are submitted to the authorized internal affairs body. The authorized internal affairs body carries out the registration of the pledge right and the lease right under a leasing contract by making the appropriate records in the journal and in the record card of the vehicle. The form of the journal is established by the head of the authorized internal affairs body.

The registration of the pledge right and the lease right under a leasing contract on a vehicle may not be refused, except in cases when:

— the application or the documents attached to it specified in part 11 of this article are not submitted, or the period established by part 11 of this article for submission for the state registration of the pledge right or the lease right under a leasing contract on a vehicle has not been observed;

— in respect of the vehicle being transferred into lease under a leasing contract, a seizure has been applied in the manner established by part 13 of this article.

Upon the registration of the pledge right or the lease right under a leasing contract on a vehicle, as well as upon the imposition of a seizure or property attachment on a vehicle by a decision of the authorized bodies, including a court, in the cases and in the manner provided by law, a restriction (seizure) is applied to the vehicle within the limits provided by the contracts of pledge or lease under a leasing contract or by the documents on the imposition of the seizure or property attachment.

The authorized internal affairs body carries out the seizure by making the appropriate records in the seizure journal and in the record card of the vehicle. The form of the seizure journal is established by the head of the authorized internal affairs body.

A vehicle record certificate provided by a state authorized body before October 16, 2010, is considered a document certifying the ownership right to the vehicle; however, carrying out a transaction by this certificate is prohibited. The owner of the vehicle has the right to apply and, on the basis of this record certificate, to obtain free of charge a certificate of registration of the ownership right to the vehicle.

A person who acquired the ownership right to a vehicle before October 16, 2010, and does not have a record certificate for this vehicle, may, after October 16, 2010, submit to the state authorized body an application in the manner established by this Law to obtain the documents of registration and accounting of the vehicle.

The registration of the pledge right or the lease right under a leasing contract on vehicles, carried out in the manner established by law before October 16, 2010, is, in the sense of this Law, considered a seizure of the vehicle.

The state accounting of a vehicle on the basis of the certificate of state registration of the ownership right to the vehicle (except for vehicles imported under the customs procedures "Customs transit" and "Temporary import" or temporarily by natural persons into the Republic of Armenia) is a function of collecting and recording information about the technical characteristics of the vehicle, as a result of which a vehicle record certificate is issued (on the record certificate, in addition to the record data, the inscription "Not a basis for alienation" is also indicated in Armenian and English) and (or) a record license plate, except for vehicles imported under the customs procedure "Customs transit" or "Temporary import" or temporarily by natural persons for a period of up to 2 months into the Republic of Armenia, in which case a record certificate and license plates are not issued.

A vehicle may not be presented for state accounting if it is acquired (imported) for commercial purposes by an economic entity carrying out commercial activity with vehicles, which will not operate it in the Republic of Armenia, or if it is imported into the Republic of Armenia under customs procedures other than the customs procedure "Release for domestic consumption", or it will not be operated in the Republic of Armenia.

A vehicle is recorded in the name of the owner (where there is more than one owner, the vehicle is, with the consent of all owners, recorded in the name of one of them).

20.1. If the natural person who is the owner (lessee) of a vehicle does not have the right to drive a vehicle of this category, or is deprived of the right to drive a vehicle, or this right is suspended, then he is obliged, upon the accounting of the vehicle, to submit the data of only one person having the right to drive a vehicle of this category (name, surname, public services number or the data of the identity document, driver's license number) who will operate this vehicle.

20.2. In the case provided by part 20.1 of this article, upon the carrying out of a record action with the vehicle, the presence of the person operating it and his written consent to the provision of his personal data are mandatory. It is explained in writing to the operating person that for violations of the Traffic Rules committed by this vehicle and detected by video or photo recording devices, he may bear administrative liability. The form of the operating person's consent to the provision of his personal data and the written explanation to him is established by an order of the head of the authorized internal affairs body.

20.3. In the case of failure to report the data of the person operating the vehicle, the vehicle is not recorded.

20.4. In the case of a change of the person operating the vehicle, the owner (lessee) has the right, in the manner established by this article, to submit the data of another operating person.

20.5. A natural person who is the owner (lessee) of a recorded vehicle (an individual entrepreneur, in the case of a legal person — the head of the legal person), who does not have the right to drive a vehicle of this category, or whose right to drive vehicles is suspended, or who is deprived of the right to drive vehicles, has the right, in the manner established by this article, to submit the data of the person operating the vehicle.

20.6. If the data of a foreigner having a driver's license obtained in another state and recorded in the state population register are submitted as the person operating the vehicle, then the presence of the foreigner operating the vehicle and the submission of his driver's license are mandatory.

20.7. In the case of the death of the owner of a vehicle — prior to the state registration of the ownership right of the new owner to the vehicle — the person actually possessing the vehicle, who submits the record certificate of the vehicle of the deceased person, is registered as the person operating the vehicle.

20.8. In the case of the suspension of the right to drive vehicles of the person operating the vehicle or the deprivation of this person of the right to drive vehicles, a notification is sent to the owner of the vehicle (in the case of a legal person — to the head of the legal person) with a proposal to submit the data of a new person operating the vehicle.

20.9. The authorized internal affairs body is obliged to ensure the possibility of obtaining electronically the expression of will of both the owner (lessee) of the vehicle provided by this article (in the case of a legal person — the head of the legal person), and the owner (lessee) having the right to drive a vehicle of this category (in the case of a legal person — the head of the legal person), and the person operating the vehicle, except in cases of presenting the vehicle for accounting established by part 20.1 of this article and in the cases provided by parts 20.6 and 20.7 of this article.

Vehicles imported into the Republic of Armenia under the customs procedure "Customs transit" are subject to accounting at the border customs points simultaneously with customs clearance.

Vehicles imported into the Republic of Armenia under the customs procedure "Temporary import" or temporarily by natural persons for a period of more than 2 months are subject to accounting by the authorized internal affairs body, and vehicles imported into the Republic of Armenia for a period of up to 2 months — by the customs body.

For vehicles imported into the Republic of Armenia under the customs procedure "Temporary import" or temporarily by natural persons for a period of more than 2 months, temporary accounting documents and record license plates are issued (and if the license plates of the vehicle contain non-Latin letters or non-Arabic digits, then, regardless of the import period, record license plates are issued), except in cases established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

The procedure for the accounting of vehicles imported into the Republic of Armenia under the customs procedure "Temporary import" or temporarily by natural persons is established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

(Article 13 amended 21.02.07 ZR-72-N, 08.04.10 ZR-36-N; amended, corrected 08.12.11 ZR-332-N; supplemented 19.10.16 ZR-186-N; corrected, amended 21.12.17 ZR-281-N; supplemented, amended, corrected 09.12.19 ZR-278-N; supplemented 09.12.19 ZR-303-N; corrected 16.12.22 ZR-476-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZR-476-N has a concluding part and transitional provisions)

Article 13.1. Transfer (provision) of data of state registration and state accounting of vehicles

(title amended 09.12.19 ZR-278-N)

Data on vehicles registered or recorded (re-recorded) or deregistered with the authorized internal affairs body are, without the consent of the data subject, transferred to the respective local self-government bodies, the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia and advocates, and, in cases provided by law — also to state administration bodies and legal persons.

(Article 13.1 supplemented 21.02.07 ZR-72-N; amended 09.12.19 ZR-278-N; corrected 16.12.22 ZR-476-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZR-476-N has a concluding part and transitional provisions)

Article 13.2. Record license plates of vehicles

A record license plate of a vehicle is the property of the state.

Upon the replacement (alienation) of a vehicle, the person using a record license plate in high demand surrenders it for safekeeping to the body carrying out the accounting of the vehicle. If, within six months, the person using these record license plates or his close relative (father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, child) presents for accounting another vehicle belonging to him on the right of ownership, then these record license plates are provided to the using person or close relative upon payment of the state duty established by law for providing record license plates, and, if these record license plates were provided before the provision of record license plates in high demand in an auction manner without an auction — also upon payment of the established price. In the case of failure to present another vehicle for accounting within the indicated period, he loses the priority right to use the record license plate surrendered for safekeeping. The person using a record license plate in high demand may at any moment refuse the right to use this record license plate. The right to use record license plates in high demand may be transferred to the person who inherited the vehicle, upon payment of the state duty established by law for providing record license plates, and, if these record license plates were provided before the provision of record license plates in high demand in an auction manner without an auction — also upon payment of the established price.

(part repealed 08.12.11 ZR-332-N)

The right to use record license plates in high demand may be transferred to the close relative specified in part 2 of this article only by the person having the right to use this record license plate for the first time, except in cases of transfer by inheritance or to persons having the right to use these record license plates for the first time.

(part repealed 08.12.11 ZR-332-N)

Upon the replacement (alienation) of a vehicle, the person using a record license plate in special demand surrenders it for safekeeping to the body carrying out the accounting of the vehicle. If, within six months, the person using these record license plates or his close relative (father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, child) presents for accounting another vehicle belonging to him on the right of ownership, then these record license plates are provided to the using person or close relative upon payment of the state duty established by law for providing record license plates. In the case of failure to present another vehicle for accounting within the indicated period, he loses the priority right to use the record license plate in special demand surrendered for safekeeping. The person using a record license plate in special demand may at any moment refuse the right to use this record license plate. The right to use record license plates in special demand may be transferred to the person who inherited the vehicle, upon payment of the state duty established by law for providing record license plates.

The right to use record license plates in special demand may be transferred to the close relative specified in part 6 of this article only by the person having the right to use this record license plate for the first time, except in cases of transfer by inheritance or to persons having the right to use these record license plates for the first time.

(Article 13.2 supplemented 15.11.10 ZR-171-N; corrected 08.12.11 ZR-332-N; supplemented 12.09.23 ZR-285-N) (Law 12.09.23 ZR-285-N has a concluding part and a transitional provision)

Article 13.3. Basic conditions for conducting electronic auctions for providing record license plates of vehicles in special demand

The electronic auction for providing record license plates of vehicles in special demand (hereinafter — the auction) represents a bidding organized with the application of electronic systems by means of the official website of the authorized internal affairs body, which is organized and conducted by the relevant service of the authorized internal affairs body.

The lot of the auction is the right to use record license plates of vehicles in special demand.

To the process of conducting the auction, the regulations relating to an auction organized by means of electronic systems established by the Law "On Public Auctions" apply, unless otherwise provided by this article.

Public notification of the conducting of the auction is carried out no less than two days before the day of the conducting (start) of the auction, which includes the information established by points 1, 2 and 4–8 of part 1 of article 8 of the Law "On Public Auctions".

The public notification of the auction is published on the official website of the authorized internal affairs body http://www.mia.gov.am.

A person wishing to participate in the auction registers a personal participant page in the system created on the official website, after which, in the manner and within the periods indicated in the public notification, freezes or transfers to the depositary account of the organizer a preliminary contribution for participation in the auction in the amount of five percent of the starting price of the lot and registers for the auction. The procedure for public notification of the auction and the registration of participants is established by the head of the authorized internal affairs body.

The calculated hour of the end of the auction for each lot is considered to be 12:00 of the third working day following the day of the start of the auction for this lot. With each new price offer within the 10 minutes preceding the end of the auction, the auction continues for another 10 minutes from the moment of receipt of the offer.

In the course of the auction, each participant has the right to submit a new price bid, which must exceed the previous price bid submitted by the participants by no less than the amount of the minimum increment. The minimum increments to the starting price of the lot are carried out in the amounts established by part 2 of article 33 of the Law "On Public Auctions".

The preliminary contribution of the participant who won the auction, frozen in advance, is transferred to the account of the organizer, and the amount transferred to the depositary account is not returned.

The preliminary contribution of a participant who participated in the auction but did not win is unfrozen (returned).

Payment of the price of the lot is carried out by non-cash means.

The organizer, immediately after the end of the auction, makes available on the personal page of the participant who won the auction, or sends to the email address indicated by him, the protocol of the auction, the form of which is established by the regulations of the auction.

The participant who won the auction is obliged, within three working days after receiving the protocol, to pay the full price of the acquired lot with the offsetting of the preliminary contribution.

In the case of non-payment by the participant who won the auction of the price of the acquisition of the lot, the preliminary contribution is not returned.

After the organizer receives the full sale price of the lot, he, within a one-day period, makes available on the personal page of the participant who won the auction, or sends to the email address indicated by him, the certificate of the acquisition at auction of the right to use record license plates in special demand, the form of which is established by the regulations of the auction.

The certificate of the acquisition at auction of the right to use record license plates in special demand is valid for one year. In the case of failure to present it within the indicated period to the subdivision carrying out the accounting of the vehicle (failure to record the vehicle with record license plates in special demand acquired at auction with the right of use), the participant who won the auction loses the right to use the record license plates in special demand, and the sale price of the lot is not returned.

The auction is considered to have not taken place if:

— not a single buyer participated in the auction;

— in the course of the auction, no increment to the starting price of the lot was made;

— the person who won the auction refused to conclude the purchase and sale contract or did not pay the price of the acquisition of the lot within the established period.

If the auction did not take place on the ground of non-payment by the buyer within the established period of the price of the acquisition of the lot, then for this participant the preliminary contribution for participation in the next auction is established in the amount of twenty percent of the starting price of the lot.

(Article 13.3 supplemented 12.09.23 ZR-285-N) (Law 12.09.23 ZR-285-N has a concluding part and a transitional provision)

Article 14. Basic Requirements for Ensuring Road Traffic Safety During the Operation of Vehicles

The technical condition and equipment of a vehicle participating in road traffic must comply with the requirements of the legislation, standards, rules, and instructions on technical operation insofar as they concern traffic safety and environmental protection.

Responsibility for maintaining a vehicle participating in road traffic in a technically sound condition, in the manner prescribed by law, is borne by the owner of the vehicle, the person using it, or the person authorized to use it.

(Article 14 supplemented by 21.02.07 ZR-72-N)

Article 15. Technical Inspection of Vehicles

Vehicles operated on the territory of the Republic of Armenia are subject to technical inspection in the manner prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

Technical inspection of vehicles is carried out with the following periodicity:

• the first technical inspection of vehicles is carried out in the fourth year following the year of manufacture;
• passenger taxi-automobiles, trolleybuses, buses, specialized vehicles intended for the transport of dangerous goods, and their trailers (semi-trailers) of more than 4, up to and including 10 years from the year of manufacture — once a year, and in the case of more than 10 years of manufacture — once every 6 months;
• passenger cars, freight vehicles, freight-passenger vehicles with a number of passenger seats up to 8, trailers (semi-trailers), motorcycles (with the exception of vehicles provided for in point 2 of this part) of more than 4, up to and including 10 years from the year of manufacture — once every 2 years;
• passenger cars, freight vehicles, freight-passenger vehicles with a number of passenger seats up to 8, trailers (semi-trailers), motorcycles (with the exception of vehicles provided for in point 2 of this part) of more than 10 years from the year of manufacture — once a year;
• newly imported vehicles of more than 4 years from the year of manufacture are presented for technical inspection before the first registration of the vehicle with the authorized internal affairs body;
• the vehicle must be presented for technical inspection by the last day of the month indicated in the diagnostic card provided at the previous technical inspection.

(part repealed 20.01.21 ZR-58-N)

Technical inspection is carried out by organizations holding a license for vehicle technical inspection activity, with the exception of trolleybuses, whose technical inspection is performed by the organizations operating them.

The technical inspection of the official vehicles of the authorized state body in the field of defense of the Republic of Armenia, the authorized state body in the field of internal affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, and the State Protection Service of the Republic of Armenia is conducted in the relevant authorized subdivisions of the relevant state bodies in the manner established by order of the heads of the state bodies.

The principles for forming tariffs for the technical inspection of vehicles and the state body approving them are established by law.

The license must indicate the number of operating lines based on the number of vehicles registered in the territory of the license's validity. The licensed person may locate its lines at one or more places within the territory of its license's validity. The licensed person does not have the right to carry out the purchase and sale of vehicles, the repair of vehicles, or vehicle rental activity.

The licensed person who has carried out the technical inspection provides the vehicle owner or the owner's representative with a diagnostic card of the form established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, and transmits the data on the vehicle and the results of the technical inspection online to the electronic repository of the body authorized in the field of transport.

(part repealed 20.01.21 ZR-58-N)

(Article 15 amended by 21.02.07 ZR-72-N; corrected, supplemented, amended by 15.11.10 ZR-171-N; amended, supplemented by 22.06.12 ZR-167-N; supplemented by 20.11.14 ZR-169-N; amended, corrected by 20.01.21 ZR-58-N; corrected by 16.12.22 ZR-476-N; supplemented, corrected by 04.03.26 ZR-62-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZR-476-N has a final part and transitional provisions)

Article 16. Basic Requirements for Ensuring Road Traffic Safety During the Maintenance and Repair of a Vehicle

The norms, rules, and procedure for the maintenance and repair of a vehicle are established by the organization that manufactures the vehicle, taking into account its conditions of operation.

In order to ensure road traffic safety, certain categories of vehicles are equipped with red, blue, yellow (orange), or white-lunar flashing beacons.

Article 17. Grounds and Procedure for Stopping a Vehicle

A police officer regulating road traffic is obliged, having given a signal in the manner established by part three of this Article, to stop a vehicle if:

a) it is clearly visible, or visible by means of technical devices, that the driver has violated the requirements of the Traffic Rules, or the movement of the vehicle, or the transported cargo, or the driver or passengers by their behavior clearly create a danger to traffic safety;

b) there are sufficient grounds to suspect that the vehicle or the persons in it are wanted (subject to search);

c) there is a need to inform drivers of hazards that have arisen on the roads or of unfavorable conditions.

In addition to the cases specified in part one of this Article, police officers may also stop vehicles during special measures authorized by the Chief of Police of the Republic of Armenia or a person substituting for him, as well as when carrying out, jointly with the inspection body exercising control in the field of transport, road inspection-control functions of the recording device (digital tachograph card) in motor vehicles.

The demand of traffic-regulating police officers to stop vehicles must be given by means of a baton directed toward the vehicle, a disk with a red signal, or a loudspeaker device. To attract the attention of traffic participants, a signal may also be given by a whistle. When regulating road traffic, a police officer, depending on the situation, may, in parallel with the regulating signals, give with his free hand other signals understandable to drivers and pedestrians. The signals must be understandable to the driver and given in a timely manner so that compliance with their requirements does not create an emergency situation.

In the cases provided for in part one of this Article, after stopping the vehicle, the regulating police officer is obliged to immediately approach the driver, introduce himself by stating his position, rank, surname, and subdivision, and upon request also his individual identification number as a police officer, state the reason for the stop and, having recorded the violation in the manner prescribed by law, allow the vehicle to continue moving, with the exception of the cases provided for in points "a", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f", "g", "h", "i", "j", "n", "o", and "r" of part one of Article 18 of this Law.

When it is necessary to obtain information about the condition of the road, or about traffic accidents that have occurred, hazards that have arisen on the roads, and (or) other information on ensuring road traffic safety, the regulating police officer may, having given a signal in the manner established by part three of this Article, stop the vehicle.

After performing the actions specified in point "c" of part one and part five of this Article, the police officer allows the vehicle to continue moving if the grounds specified in point "a" or "j" of part one of Article 18 of this Law are not identified.

A police officer may, after stopping a vehicle, propose that the driver exit the cabin or passenger compartment of the vehicle if:

a) it is necessary to eliminate a technical malfunction of the vehicle or a violation of the rules for transporting cargo;

b) there are sufficient grounds to suspect that the driver is in an intoxicated state;

c) the vehicle has been stopped on suspicion of being wanted (subject to search), and it is necessary, with the participation of the driver, to compare the numbers of the engine, body, or load-bearing structure of the vehicle with the entries in the vehicle's registration document;

d) the driver or passenger is suspected of having committed a crime;

e) it is necessary, with the participation of the driver, to draw up a protocol or to provide assistance to other road traffic participants.

For exceeding the established speed of movement and violations of the established standard for light transmission of vehicle glass, liability arises when this violation is substantiated by the application of appropriate technical devices.

(Article 17 supplemented, corrected, amended by 21.02.07 ZR-72-N; corrected by 15.11.10 ZR-171-N; supplemented by 30.07.21 ZR-315-N, 16.12.22 ZR-476-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZR-476-N has a final part and transitional provisions)

Article 18. Grounds for Prohibiting the Movement of a Vehicle

The movement of a vehicle is prohibited if:

a) the driver is operating the vehicle in an intoxicated state, or refuses or in any way evades the examination of the state of sobriety;

b) the driver has been deprived of the right to operate a vehicle;

c) the driver is operating a vehicle without the right to operate a vehicle of the given category;

d) the driver is operating a vehicle without having a driver's license with him;

e) the driver is operating a vehicle with a forged or invalidated driver's license;

f) the driver is operating a vehicle without the documents or accessories specified in the driver's license;

g) the driver is operating a vehicle with a forged registration certificate or without a registration certificate;

h) the driver is operating a vehicle with forged, altered, or non-standard registration plates (in the case of temporary plates — also with expired plates), or without registration plates;

i) the driver is operating a vehicle without the documents established by legislation;

j) the vehicle or a person inside the vehicle is wanted (subject to search), or there are well-founded suspicions that a crime has been committed by means of the vehicle, or that persons preparing, committing, or having committed a crime are inside it;

k) the vehicle has not undergone technical inspection within the period established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, or the technical inspection has revealed one of the malfunctions or conditions established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia that prohibit the operation of vehicles;

l) the vehicle has been illegally re-equipped;

m) the vehicle has caused the occurrence of a traffic accident resulting in harm to a person's life or health, or is a participant in such an accident;

n) in accordance with the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia, the road tax for the use of the motor roads of the Republic of Armenia has not been paid by freight motor vehicles entering the Republic of Armenia (including from EAEU member states) (with the exception of those processed under the customs procedure "Release for domestic consumption") that are not registered (not accounted for) in the Republic of Armenia, as well as by freight motor vehicles registered (accounted for) in the Republic of Armenia;

o) the vehicle is equipped with flashing beacons and (or) special sound signals without the appropriate permission, or color-graphic images, inscriptions, and other markings have been applied to the exterior surface of the vehicle body without the appropriate permission, or they do not comply with the requirements of legislation or standards;

p) the vehicle is equipped with units or assemblies with forged or altered (erased) numbers;

q) the driver lacks an eye, or an upper or lower limb, a hand or a foot, or has movement-limiting deformity of the hand or foot, as well as deformities and defects of fingers or phalanges of the hands that lead to serious impairment of limb function, with the exception of cases of operating vehicles adapted to the capabilities of the given person;

r) in other cases established by law.

The operation of those automobiles, buses, road trains, trailers, motorcycles, mopeds, motorized sidecars, tractors, and other self-propelled machines whose technical condition and equipment do not comply with the list of malfunctions and conditions established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia that prohibit the operation of vehicles is also prohibited.

Vehicles that create an obstacle for traffic participants or that are parked in places where parking is prohibited are moved to a special territory if the driver is not present or refuses to eliminate the obstacle or the violation of parking rules.

In the case established by part 5 of this Article, the search for a vehicle is declared by the Chief of Police (deputies) or by officials authorized by the Chief of Police.

A search for a vehicle may be declared when an offense has been committed by means of that vehicle.

The movement of a vehicle identified by the police as moving without a document certifying payment of the road tax or an exemption is terminated until the receipts certifying payment of the road tax established in the manner and amount established by law, and of the penalties provided for late payment thereof, are presented.

(Article 18 amended by 21.02.07 ZR-72-N; supplemented, corrected by 15.11.10 ZR-171-N; supplemented by 21.12.15 ZR-183-N, 21.12.15 ZR-11-N; amended, supplemented by 21.12.17 ZR-281-N; amended by 20.01.21 ZR-58-N; corrected by 16.12.22 ZR-476-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZR-476-N has a final part and transitional provisions)

Article 18.1. Procedure for Delivering Vehicles to a Special Territory and Placing Them Under Arrest

In the cases provided for in points "a", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f", "g", "h", "i", "j", "m", "n", "o", "p", and "q" of part one of Article 18 of this Law, the traffic regulator is obliged, in the manner established by this Article, to deliver the vehicle to a guarded special territory and place it under arrest. In the cases provided for in points "a", "b", "c", "d", "e", and "f" of part one of Article 18 of this Law, with the consent of the vehicle's driver, the vehicle may be transferred to a person who has the right to operate a vehicle of the given category.

Delivery constitutes a temporary compulsory measure to terminate the use of a vehicle, which includes (where it is impossible to eliminate the cause for placement under arrest at the place where the administrative offense is discovered) the movement of the latter to a special territory.

When there are grounds for delivering a vehicle and placing it under arrest, the authorized official carries out the necessary actions to remove the driver from operating the vehicle in the manner established by Article 24.1 of this Law, and to deliver the vehicle to the special territory.

The movement of the vehicle to the special territory is carried out by the authorized official personally or with the help of another vehicle.

In the absence of the vehicle's driver, the person carrying out the delivery immediately reports the delivery to the special territory to the police operational management center. The police operational management center informs the vehicle owner or his representative of the location of the vehicle — immediately if possible, and if not possible — upon the request of the vehicle owner or his representative.

Vehicles belonging to the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia are delivered in accordance with this Article and placed in garrison assembly points.

Vehicles transporting explosive, highly flammable, radioactive, and potent toxic substances and other special cargo are delivered in accordance with this Article and placed in territories guarded by the state authorized body of the rescue service.

A trolleybus is delivered in accordance with this Article and placed in the appropriate depot.

The procedure for delivering vehicles belonging to the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia, vehicles transporting explosive, highly flammable, radioactive, and potent toxic substances and other special cargo, as well as trolleybuses, and for transferring them to the relevant bodies, is established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

On the delivery of a vehicle to a special territory and its placement under arrest, the authorized official draws up a protocol, the form of which is established by order of the Chief of Police.

The protocol indicates the list of items located in the delivered vehicle. A copy of the protocol is given to the person against whom the compulsory measure has been applied, and in the case of moving the vehicle to a special territory — also to the person responsible for the storage of the vehicle in the special territory.

The period of placement of the vehicle under arrest and storage is calculated in days and hours, starting from the moment of its placement in the special territory.

If the person possessing the vehicle, or the person responsible for the operation of the vehicle, within 120 hours from the moment the vehicle is taken under arrest:

a) eliminates the causes of placement under arrest — then the police immediately removes the vehicle from arrest;

b) does not eliminate the causes of placement under arrest, or, having eliminated the causes of placement under arrest, does not collect the vehicle from the special territory — then, in order to reimburse the costs of storing the vehicle, a fee in the amount of 50 percent of the minimum wage established by law is charged from the vehicle's driver (owner, owner's representative) for each subsequent full 24-hour period.

In the event of the voluntary non-payment by the vehicle's driver (owner, owner's representative) of the storage costs, they are subject to compulsory recovery in the manner established by law.

The procedure established by point "b" of part nine of this Article does not apply to cases of placing a vehicle under arrest where there are grounds provided for in point "j" of part one of Article 18 of this Law, and where a vehicle is placed under arrest on the grounds provided for in point "m" of part one of Article 18 of this Law, it applies upon the expiry of 120 hours after notification of the vehicle's driver (owner, owner's representative) upon the conclusion of the consideration of the case.

In the case where the law provides for the confiscation of an object that is an instrument or direct object of an offense, the causes for placing the vehicle under arrest are eliminated by the authorized official.

The driver (owner, owner's representative) is permitted to approach the vehicle stored in the special territory only in the presence of the person responsible for its storage.

The authorized official, having ascertained that the causes for the delivery of the vehicle have been eliminated, gives in writing permission for the release of the vehicle placed under arrest in the special territory, and makes the corresponding note in the protocol on the delivery of the vehicle to the special territory and its placement under arrest.

The transfer of the delivered vehicle to the driver (owner, owner's representative) is carried out after full payment of the costs of storing the vehicle in the special territory.

In special territories, an accounting is maintained of the delivered vehicles placed under arrest, the procedure for which is established by a normative order of the Chief of Police.

(Article 18.1 supplemented by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N; amended by 15.11.10 ZA-171-N, 14.11.19 ZA-240-N; reworded by 03.07.25 ZA-251-N) (Law 03.07.25 ZA-251-N has a transitional provision)

Article 18.2. Prohibition of the Operation of Vehicles by Seizure of the Registration Document or Suspension of the Validity of the Digital Registration Document

(title reworded by 09.12.19 ZA-278-N; supplemented by 03.07.25 ZA-257-N)

When there are grounds provided for in points "k" and "l" of part 1 and part 2 of Article 18 of this Law, the police officer ensuring road traffic safety is obliged to record the violation and seize the vehicle's registration document, or, in the case of its digital variant, suspend its validity.

In the cases provided for in points "k" and "l" of part 1 of Article 18 of this Law, upon seizure of the vehicle's registration document or suspension of the validity of the digital registration certificate, the driver is issued a temporary document valid for 10 days for undergoing technical inspection, or eliminating the malfunctions or conditions prohibiting the operation of vehicles established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia that were revealed during the technical inspection, or restoring the vehicle to its factory condition, or legalizing the re-equipment. The form of the temporary vehicle registration document is established by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

In the case of prohibiting the operation of vehicles by seizure of the vehicle's registration document or suspension of the validity of its digital variant and issuance of a temporary document, the authorized official makes an entry in the administrative offense protocol.

After the elimination of the grounds for prohibiting the operation of the vehicle by seizure of the vehicle's registration document, the validity of the digital registration certificate is immediately resumed, and the registration document is immediately returned to the driver, owner, or owner's representative of the vehicle.

(Article 18.2 supplemented by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N; reworded by 09.12.19 ZA-278-N; amended by 20.01.21 ZA-58-N; supplemented by 03.07.25 ZA-257-N) (Law 03.07.25 ZA-257-N has a transitional provision)

Article 19. Measures for the Organization of Road Traffic and Requirements for Ensuring Safety During Their Course

In order to ensure road traffic safety and increase the throughput capacity of roads, measures for the organization of road traffic are carried out, in the manner established by legislation, by the state administration and local self-government bodies authorized by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and by other persons owning the road.

It is prohibited to carry out measures to increase the throughput capacity of roads and other measures for the organization of road traffic to the detriment of the state of road traffic safety.

In the event of the emergence of a real threat to road traffic safety, the person owning the road, or the person servicing it in the established manner, immediately informs the Police of the Republic of Armenia and other interested bodies, as well as the public — through mass media and other forms accessible to the public.

(Article 19 reworded by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N)

Article 20. Obligations of Officials of Organizations Operating Vehicles in the Direction of Ensuring Road Traffic Safety

In organizations operating vehicles, an official appointed by the head of the organization is responsible for the technical condition and operation of the vehicles, and in his absence — the head of the organization.

Persons responsible for the operation of vehicles are obliged, in order to ensure road traffic safety, in the manner established by legislation:

a) to organize the work of drivers;

b) to observe the work and rest regime of drivers;

c) to analyze and eliminate the causes of a traffic accident that has occurred with the participation of a vehicle belonging to them and (or) operated by them, its consequences, and (or) violations of traffic rules;

d) to ensure that the technical condition of vehicles complies with road traffic safety requirements and to prohibit the operation of a vehicle having a technical malfunction.

Officials responsible for the technical condition and operation of vehicles are prohibited from:

a) releasing onto a route vehicles with such technical malfunctions that their operation is prohibited, or which have been re-equipped without the appropriate permission, are not registered in the manner established by legislation, or have not undergone the state technical inspection;

b) permitting the operation of a vehicle in an intoxicated state, as well as by persons who do not have the right to operate a vehicle of the given category or who have not undergone the periodic medical examination in the established manner;

c) prescribing the movement of tractors, self-propelled, and other tracked machines on roads with an asphalt and cement-concrete surface;

d) releasing onto a route a vehicle without a document bearing a note certifying its technical condition and the driver's state of health.

Article 21. Obligations of Persons Responsible for the Maintenance of the Road and Its Engineering Structures

Officials and other persons responsible for the maintenance of the road and its engineering structures are obliged to:

a) keep the road and its engineering structures in a condition safe for traffic, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the legislation, standards, norms, and rules on road traffic safety;

b) immediately take measures to eliminate an obstacle threatening road traffic safety, if necessary temporarily restricting or prohibiting road traffic on the given section of road;

c) inform road traffic participants, through mass media, by means of technical devices or information boards, and (or) in other forms accessible to the public, of changes and (or) restrictions in the organization of road traffic, including changes to road signs.

The official responsible for the performance of work on the road is obliged to organize this work, ensuring road traffic safety. The place where work is performed on the road, as well as the road machines, construction materials, structures, and other objects necessary for performing the work placed at that location, are marked with appropriate road signs, directing or barrier devices, and in dark hours and in conditions of insufficient visibility — also with red or yellow signal lights.

After the completion of road works, safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians is immediately ensured.

Article 22. Medical Provision for Road Traffic Safety

Medical provision for road traffic safety is carried out by healthcare organizations or physicians authorized for this in the manner established by legislation.

Article 22.1. Medical Contraindications, Indications, and Limitations to the Operation of a Vehicle

A medical contraindication to operating a vehicle is considered to be a disease (condition) the presence of which is an obstacle to operating a vehicle.

A medical indication for operating a vehicle is considered to be a disease (condition) in which operating a vehicle is permitted on the condition that the vehicle is equipped with special devices, or that the driver uses special devices and (or) medical products, or that the vehicle has certain design characteristics.

A medical limitation to operating a vehicle is considered to be a disease (condition) the presence of which is an obstacle to the safe operation of a vehicle of a certain category (subcategory), purpose, or with certain design characteristics.

(Article 22.1 supplemented by 21.12.15 ZA-183-N)

CHAPTER 5. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ROAD TRAFFIC PARTICIPANTS

Article 23. Basic Rights and Obligations of Road Traffic Participants

A road traffic participant, in the manner established by legislation, has the right to:

a) move freely and unhindered along the road;

b) receive information about the condition of the road, about restrictions and (or) prohibitions of road traffic, as well as about other measures to ensure road traffic safety;

c) in the event of a traffic accident, receive free medical, rescue, and other primary assistance from the relevant authorized organizations and persons;

d) appeal the actions of officials exercising powers in the field of ensuring road traffic safety.

The exercise by a road traffic participant of his rights may not restrict or violate the rights of other traffic participants.

A road traffic participant is obliged to comply with the traffic rules approved by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the lawful demands of police officers and other persons authorized to regulate traffic, and not to create an emergency situation by his actions.

It is prohibited to damage or pollute the road surface, to damage, cover, remove, or install technical devices for the organization of road traffic, or to leave on the road construction materials or other things and objects that may impede road traffic. A person creating such a situation is obliged to take all possible measures to immediately eliminate the obstacle, and if this is impossible — to inform road traffic participants of the danger and report to the police.

(Article 23 reworded by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N)

Article 24. Basic Obligations of Vehicle Owners and Drivers

The owner of a vehicle is obliged to ensure the technically sound condition of the vehicle in accordance with the conditions permitting the operation of the vehicle and the list of malfunctions and conditions prohibiting operation.

The driver of a vehicle is obliged to:

a) before starting movement, check:

• the facts of the vehicle having undergone technical inspection or the absence of illegal re-equipment;
• the soundness of the braking system, steering, headlights, and rear marker lights (in dark hours, in conditions of insufficient visibility), or of the windshield wiper in front of the driver (during rain or snowfall), of the coupling device (in a road train configuration), as well as the conformity of the residual tread depth of the tires to the established norms. The said requirement also applies to the vehicle driver during movement;

b) at the demand of a police officer:

• in the cases established by law, not to obstruct police officers from inspecting the vehicle and cargo in his presence and in the presence of citizens (inspection of military vehicles is carried out with the participation of a representative of the relevant body);
• where there are sufficient grounds to believe that he is in an intoxicated state — to undergo the appropriate check to determine the state of sobriety (the state of sobriety of drivers of military vehicles is determined in the presence of a representative of the relevant body);

c) in order to provide assistance, to provide the vehicle:

• to police officers — for transporting persons in need of emergency medical assistance to a medical institution;
• to medical workers traveling in the same direction to provide medical assistance (with the consent of the driver);
• to police officers — in the cases and manner established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia;

d) if involved in a traffic accident, immediately stop and (or) not move the vehicle, switch on the hazard warning lights, set out the "Emergency Stop" warning sign, not move objects connected with the accident and, if any, also the bodies of the deceased, not change the position of the vehicles involved in the traffic accident relative to one another and to road infrastructure objects, not damage or alter traces, and thereafter act in accordance with the requirements of the norms established by parts 4 and 4.1 of this Article. In order to ensure post-accident safety at the site of the traffic accident, the hazard warning lights must also be switched on of vehicles stopped directly at the accident site for the purpose of providing assistance.

In the cases provided for in subpoint 1 of point "c" of part two of this Article, where the vehicle driver voluntarily fails to provide the vehicle, the police officer has the right to remove him from operating the vehicle and use the vehicle. The said requirement does not apply to drivers of vehicles belonging to operational services, diplomatic and consular missions, missions of foreign states, international organizations, and persons with disabilities.

Police officers may also remove vehicle drivers from operating them in other cases established by law.

If, as a result of a traffic accident, people have died or been injured, the driver involved in the traffic accident is obliged to:

• take the necessary measures to provide first aid to the victims, call an "Ambulance" or other specialized service, and report the traffic accident to the police;
• in extreme cases, send the victims by a passing vehicle, and if this is impossible — deliver them in his own vehicle to the nearest medical organization, state there his first name, surname, registration plate number of the vehicle (presenting an identity document or driver's license and the vehicle's registration document), and return to the accident site;
• take all possible lawful measures to organize the bypass of the accident site by other road traffic participants;
• await the arrival of police officers or another authorized body, and thereafter act according to their instructions.

4.1. If, as a result of a traffic accident, only property damage has been caused, and if the circumstances of the infliction of the damage connected with property damage as a result of the traffic accident, and the nature and list of visible damage to the vehicles, between the participants of the traffic accident:

• give rise to disagreements, or do not give rise to disagreements but the features of the traffic accident (the number of vehicles that participated in the accident and (or) the expected amount of compensation) do not correspond to the conditions presented for the process of compensating harm to victims by completing the agreed statement provided for by the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Compulsory Insurance of Liability Arising from the Use of Motor Vehicles", then the driver involved in the traffic accident is obliged to report the occurrence to the police, await the arrival of police officers or another authorized body, and before the arrival of police officers or another authorized body take all possible lawful measures to organize the bypass of the accident site by other road traffic participants, and after the arrival of police officers or another authorized body at the accident site act according to their instructions (orders), participating in actions connected with the registration of the accident and the conduct of necessary checks;
• do not give rise to disagreements, then the drivers involved in the traffic accident are not obliged to report the occurrence to the police and may:
• • a. independently draw up the documents on the traffic accident by completing the agreed statement provided for by the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Compulsory Insurance of Liability Arising from the Use of Motor Vehicles", in accordance with the conditions presented for the process of compensating harm to victims, and leave the accident site, if the features of the traffic accident (the number of vehicles that participated in the accident and (or) the expected amount of compensation) correspond to the conditions presented for the process of compensating harm to victims by completing the agreed statement provided for by the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Compulsory Insurance of Liability Arising from the Use of Motor Vehicles";
  • b. not draw up documents on the traffic accident, if, as a result of the traffic accident, only the vehicles of its participants or other property have been damaged, and none of the participants has a desire to draw up the said documents and (or) to make claims against one another (including through insurance companies).

4.2. In the cases provided for in subpoints "a" and "b" of point 2 of part 4.1 of this Article, where the drivers subsequently submit a statement or report to the police about the said accident, no proceedings are conducted, and the statement or report is left without consequence.

4.3. In the cases provided for in point 1 of part 4.1 of this Article, the police at the site of the traffic accident, ensuring road traffic safety, collect data on the participants of the traffic accident, their vehicles, and the circumstances of the accident, drawing up protocols on the accident and on the technical initial data of the circumstances of the accident, recording (including by means of photography or video recording) the position of the vehicles involved in the traffic accident relative to one another and to road infrastructure objects, the traces, objects, damage to the vehicles or other property. The protocol on the technical initial data of the circumstances of the accident may not be drawn up if the traffic accident occurred during the day — in daylight hours, in conditions of sufficient visibility, and there is a video recording of the moment of its occurrence and of the actions of the accident participants immediately following it. The protocols on the accident and on the technical initial data of the circumstances of the accident, as well as any document, information, video material, photograph, or other material connected with the given traffic accident, may be provided (made accessible) by any means to the Bureau of Motor Insurers of Armenia and (or) its member insurance companies and (or) third parties for settling the compensation process carried out for the traffic accident, including conducting examinations and carrying out other necessary actions in the field of compulsory motor third-party liability insurance. The form of the protocol on the accident and the information contained in it, as well as the requirements for the composition and structure of the technical initial data of the circumstances of the accident, are approved by the Chief of Police in agreement with the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia.

4.4. Drivers involved in a traffic accident, when using the possibility provided by subpoints "a" and "b" of point 2 of part 4.1 of this Article, are obliged, where only two motor vehicles participated, within twenty minutes from the moment of the accident, to leave the accident site and move the motor vehicle to another place not prohibited by law, if the motor vehicle, as a result of the accident, does not have such a technical malfunction that its operation is prohibited.

The driver of a mechanical vehicle, as well as of a tram, in addition to that specified in part two of this Article, is obliged to:

a) have with him and present for checking, at the demand of police officers as well as other persons authorized in the manner established by law to regulate road traffic:

• a driver's license for the right to operate a vehicle of the given category or subcategory, or its digital variant (or a temporary driver's license or permit to operate a vehicle together with an identity document), and in the cases indicated therein — also a medical certificate;
• the registration documents of the vehicle (or the digital variant of the registration certificate);
• (subpoint repealed 21.02.07 ZA-72-N)
• other documents provided for by legislation for the transport of passengers and cargo (permit for the transport of heavy, oversized, and dangerous cargo, etc.);

b) when traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts provided for by the design, be fastened and not transport passengers who are not fastened with seat belts. It is permitted not to fasten with belts children under 12 years of age (with the exception of the mandatory cases of fastening established by legislation), as well as a person teaching the operation of a vehicle when it is operated by a learner, and in populated areas, in addition — drivers and passengers of operational services and of vehicles with color-graphic body markings;

c) when traveling on a motorcycle, as well as when traveling on a moped or bicycle on the carriageway, wear a fastened helmet and not transport passengers in an unfastened helmet.

The driver of a mechanical vehicle participating in international road traffic is obliged to:

a) have with him a driver's license, the vehicle's registration certificate that conform to the requirements for documents intended for international road traffic, and where the Republic of Armenia has concluded international treaties with other states — also other documents;

b) have on the vehicle registration plates in Latin letters and Arabic numerals and the distinguishing sign of the country in which the vehicle is registered.

The driver is prohibited from:

a) operating a vehicle in an intoxicated state;

b) transferring control of a vehicle to persons who are in an intoxicated state or who do not have with them a driver's license for the right to operate a vehicle of the given category;

c) leaving his place or leaving the vehicle if he has not taken all necessary measures excluding the spontaneous movement of the vehicle or its use in his absence;

d) opening the doors of the vehicle while moving;

e) opening the doors of the vehicle even during a stop, if this would create obstacles for other road traffic participants;

f) while moving, using radio communication and telephone communication, if they are not equipped with devices allowing the use of these devices without using the hands (with the exception of drivers of vehicles performing official tasks of operational services), or smoking while moving;

g) throwing things and objects out of the vehicle;

h) after a traffic accident to which he is involved, or after the stopping of the vehicle by a police officer — until the examination for the state of sobriety or until a decision is made to release him from undergoing the examination for the state of sobriety — consuming alcoholic beverages, psychotropic, or other consciousness-clouding substances;

i) installing in vehicles non-standard mufflers or additional amplifiers of players or loudspeakers.

(part repealed 09.12.19 ZA-278-N) (part repealed 09.12.19 ZA-278-N) (part repealed 09.12.19 ZA-278-N) (part repealed 09.12.19 ZA-278-N) (part repealed 09.12.19 ZA-278-N)

(Article 24 reworded, amended, supplemented by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N; amended, supplemented by 15.11.10 ZA-171-N; supplemented by 21.12.15 ZA-183-N; amended by 23.03.18 ZA-218-N; reworded, supplemented, amended by 09.12.19 ZA-278-N; amended by 07.02.24 ZA-65-N; supplemented by 03.07.25 ZA-254-N, 03.07.25 ZA-257-N, 02.10.25 ZA-312-N) (Law 03.07.25 ZA-257-N has a transitional provision)

Article 24.1. Procedure for Removing the Driver of a Vehicle from Operating It

In order to remove the driver from operating the vehicle, the police officer demands that he exit the passenger compartment (cabin) of the vehicle. If the driver fails to comply with this demand, the police officer has the right to apply the special means provided for by Article 31 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On the Police".

When removing the driver from operating the vehicle, the police officer ensures compliance with the requirements of Article 5 of the Law of the Republic of Armenia "On the Police".

When removing the driver from operating the vehicle, the police officer ensures the transport of passengers and the safekeeping of cargo.

If the police officer removes the driver from operating the vehicle in order to use the vehicle, then he is obliged, at the demand of the driver, to provide him with the appropriate certificate (voucher) indicating the duration of the trip, the distance traveled, his surname, position, service ID number, and the name of the subdivision.

(Article 24.1 supplemented by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N)

Article 24.2. Additional Requirements for the Movement of Cyclists and Moped Drivers

The movement of cyclists over 14 years of age is carried out on bicycle paths or bicycle-pedestrian paths, or on a lane for cyclists.

The movement of cyclists over 14 years of age is permitted:

• along the right edge of the carriageway in the following cases:
• • a. there are no bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian paths, or lane for cyclists, or movement on them is impossible;
  • b. the overall width of the bicycle, bicycle trailer, or transported cargo exceeds 1 m;
  • c. the movement of cyclists is carried out in a column;
• along the shoulder, if there are no bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian paths, or lane for cyclists, or movement on them or along the right edge of the carriageway is impossible;
• along the sidewalk or pedestrian path in the following cases:
• • a. there are no bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian paths, or lane for cyclists, or movement on them or along the right edge of the carriageway or along the shoulder is impossible;
  • b. the cyclist is accompanying a cyclist under 14 years of age, or is transporting on an additional seat, in a bicycle stroller, or in a bicycle trailer a child under 7 years of age.

The movement of cyclists from 7 to 14 years of age is carried out only on sidewalks, pedestrian, bicycle, and bicycle-pedestrian paths, as well as within pedestrian zones.

The movement of cyclists under 7 years of age is carried out only on sidewalks, pedestrian, and bicycle-pedestrian paths (on the side intended for pedestrian movement), as well as within pedestrian zones.

When cyclists move along the right edge of the carriageway, cyclists must move only in a single row.

The movement of a column of cyclists in two rows is permitted if the overall width of the bicycles does not exceed 0.75 m.

When moving in a single row, the column of cyclists is divided into groups of 10 cyclists each, and when moving in two rows — into groups of 10 pairs of cyclists each. To facilitate overtaking, the distance between groups must be 80–100 m.

If the movement of a cyclist on a sidewalk, pedestrian path, shoulder, or within pedestrian zones creates a danger or impedes the movement of other persons, then the cyclist is obliged to dismount the bicycle and be guided by the requirements provided for by legislation for the movement of pedestrians.

Moped drivers must move along the right edge of the carriageway in a single row, or along the lane for cyclists.

The movement of moped drivers is permitted on shoulders, if this does not impede pedestrians.

Cyclists and moped drivers are prohibited from:

• operating a bicycle or moped without holding the handlebars;
• transporting cargo that hinders operation, or that by length or width protrudes more than 0.5 m beyond the dimensions of this vehicle;
• transporting a passenger if this is not provided for by the design of the vehicle;
• transporting a child under 7 years of age in the absence of a seat specially equipped for him, or outside this seat;
• making a left turn or U-turn on roads with tram traffic, as well as on roads having more than one lane of movement in the given direction;
• crossing the road at pedestrian crossings;
• for cyclists and moped drivers carrying out the delivery of goods — operating a bicycle or moped without a helmet intended for that purpose or in an unfastened helmet.

The towing of bicycles and mopeds, as well as towing by bicycles and mopeds, is prohibited, with the exception of towing a bicycle trailer or trailer intended for operation with a bicycle or moped.

At an unregulated intersection of a bicycle path and a road located outside intersections, cyclists and moped drivers must give way to vehicles moving along the road.

(Article 24.2 supplemented by 09.12.19 ZA-278-N, 02.10.24 ZA-361-N)

Article 24.3. Additional Requirements for the Movement of Horse-Drawn Carriages (Sleds), for Driving Pack and Riding Animals, and Livestock

It is permitted for persons who have reached 14 years of age to operate a horse-drawn carriage (sled) on the carriageway, to drive pack or riding animals, or livestock.

Horse-drawn carriages (sleds) must be operated, and pack and riding animals driven, in a single row, along the edge of the carriageway, as far to the right as possible. Movement along the shoulders is permitted, if this does not impede pedestrians.

Columns of horse-drawn carriages (sleds), pack and riding animals, when moving along the carriageway, must be divided into groups of 10 pack or riding animals, or 5 horse-drawn carriages (sleds) each. To facilitate overtaking of groups, the distance between them must be 80–100 m.

The driver of a horse-drawn carriage (sled), when entering a road from an adjacent territory or a secondary road in places with limited visibility, must lead the animals by the bridle.

Animals along the road should, as a rule, be driven in daylight hours, directing them where possible toward the right edge of the road.

When driving animals across railway tracks, they should be divided into groups so that, based on the number of drovers, the safe driving of each group can be ensured.

Drivers of horse-drawn carriages (sleds), drovers of pack, riding animals, and livestock are prohibited from:

• leaving animals on the road without supervision;
• driving animals along railway tracks and roads outside the places intended for this, as well as in dark hours and in conditions of insufficient visibility (except for driving livestock across railway tracks or a road at different levels);
• where other routes are available, driving animals along roads with an asphalt-concrete and cement-concrete surface;
• grazing animals on the landscaped dividing strip of the road, on territories located within 100 m of the road, as well as gathering them on carriageways and sidewalks.

It is prohibited to operate a horse-drawn carriage if it:

• is not equipped with the parking brake and wheel chocks provided for by the design;
• does not have in its front part two white reflectors or lamps (for movement in dark hours or in conditions of insufficient visibility);
• does not have in its rear part two red reflectors or lamps.

(Article 24.3 supplemented by 09.12.19 ZA-278-N)

Article 24.4. Requirements Applicable to the Movement of Personal Mobility Devices

For persons over 18 years of age, as well as persons who have reached 16 years of age and have the right to operate a vehicle of subcategory "AM", the movement on personal mobility devices is permitted:

• on bicycle or bicycle-pedestrian paths, or on the lane for cyclists;
• on the sidewalk or pedestrian path, if there are no bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian paths, or lane for cyclists, or movement on them is impossible;
• on the shoulder, if there are no bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian paths, lane for cyclists, sidewalk, or pedestrian path, or movement on them is impossible;
• along the right edge of the carriageway in the following cases:
• • a. there are no bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian paths, lane for cyclists, sidewalk, pedestrian path, or shoulder, or movement on them is impossible;
  • b. the personal mobility device is equipped with a brake, a sound signal, white reflectors at the front, orange or red reflectors at the sides, and red reflectors at the rear, and a white light device (lamp) at the front, which must be switched on in dark hours or in conditions of insufficient visibility.

On the carriageway, the movement of personal mobility devices is permitted in a single row.

The movement of persons under 18 years of age on personal mobility devices is permitted only in places established by the community council of elders, with the exception of persons who have reached 16 years of age and have the right to operate a vehicle of subcategory "AM".

The speed of a personal mobility device must not exceed 25 km/h.

In the joint movement of pedestrians and personal mobility devices, pedestrians in all cases have priority.

If, when moving along a sidewalk, pedestrian path, or edge of the carriageway, the movement of a person using a personal mobility device creates a danger or hinders the movement of pedestrians, then the person using the personal mobility device is obliged to cease its use or reduce speed and use it at a speed not exceeding the speed of movement of pedestrians.

It is prohibited:

• to transport on a personal mobility device a passenger or cargo (with the exception of hand baggage held by the person using the personal mobility device without using the hands (constituting a single whole)), or another personal mobility device(s);
• the use on the carriageway and on the lane for cyclists of personal mobility devices on a single axle without a steering control system;
• to transfer a personal mobility device for use to persons who have not reached 18 years of age, with the exception of the case established by part 3 of this Article, where the obligation to control the operation of the personal mobility device in the established place is borne by the person transferring the personal mobility device;
• to use a personal mobility device having handlebars without holding the handlebars;
• to cross the road at pedestrian crossings using a personal mobility device;
• the use of personal mobility devices on roads outside a populated area;
• the operation of personal mobility devices in places permitted for movement on a surface that, for meteorological or other reasons, has a wet (including snowy) covering;
• the use of a personal mobility device by persons carrying out the delivery of goods without a helmet intended for cyclists or in an unfastened helmet;
• the towing of a personal mobility device, as well as towing by a personal mobility device;
• the operation of a personal mobility device in places prohibited by the community council of elders;
• the operation of a personal mobility device in tunnels.

Organizations (persons) carrying out the function of providing personal mobility devices for rent are obliged to exclude the possibility of operating personal mobility devices within a populated area at a speed of more than 25 km/h or in places prohibited by the community council of elders.

Personal mobility devices may be transferred by organizations (persons) for operation, and by individuals — operated, exclusively on the condition that they are equipped with a device measuring speed.

In addition to the regulations provided for by this Article, the places in the community prohibited for the movement of personal mobility devices are established by the community council of elders.

(Article 24.4 supplemented by 02.10.24 ZA-361-N)

Article 25. Basic Obligations of Pedestrians

Pedestrians are obliged to move along sidewalks or pedestrian paths, and in their absence — along the shoulders. Pedestrians transporting oversized objects, as well as those moving in non-motorized wheelchairs, may move along the edge of the carriageway, if their movement impedes the movement of other pedestrians on sidewalks and paths.

In the absence of sidewalks, pedestrian paths, or shoulders, as well as where movement along them is impossible, pedestrians may move along the bicycle path or along the edge of the carriageway of the road, in a single row (on roads with dividing strips — along the outer edge of the carriageway).

When moving along the carriageway, pedestrians must walk toward the flow of vehicles, and persons moving in non-motorized wheelchairs, as well as those leading a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle — in the direction of the movement of vehicles.

The movement of organized pedestrian columns along the carriageway is permitted only on the right side, no more than 4 people in a row, in the direction of the movement of vehicles. On the left side of the column, at the front and at the rear, there must be escorts with red flags, and in dark hours and in conditions of insufficient visibility — with white lamps switched on at the front and red lamps at the rear.

Groups of children may be led only along sidewalks and pedestrian paths, and in their absence — along the shoulders, but only in daylight hours and accompanied by adults.

Pedestrians must cross the carriageway at pedestrian crossings, and in their absence — at intersections along the line of the sidewalks or shoulders.

If a pedestrian crossing and an intersection are not within view, then roads not having a dividing strip or barrier may be crossed perpendicular to the edge of the carriageway at sections well visible from both sides.

In places where traffic is regulated, pedestrians must be guided by the signals of the traffic regulator or the pedestrian traffic light, and in their absence — by the signals of the vehicle traffic light.

At unregulated pedestrian crossings, pedestrians may step onto the carriageway only after assessing the speed of the approaching vehicle and the distance between them, and having made certain that the crossing is safe for them.

Pedestrians crossing the carriageway outside pedestrian crossings must not create obstacles for moving vehicles, and may step out from behind a stationary vehicle or other obstacle limiting visibility only after making certain there are no approaching vehicles.

Having stepped onto the carriageway, pedestrians must not stop or linger there if the crossing is safe. Pedestrians who have not managed to complete the crossing must stop on a safety island or the line separating traffic flows of opposite directions. They may continue the crossing only after making certain of the safety of further movement.

When vehicles with switched-on blue, or blue and red, flashing beacons and a special sound signal approach, pedestrians must not begin crossing the carriageway, and those on it must give way to the said vehicles and those escorted by them, immediately clearing the carriageway.

Public-use vehicles and a passenger taxi may be awaited only on boarding platforms raised above the carriageway, and in their absence — on sidewalks or shoulders. At stopping points not equipped with raised boarding platforms, stepping onto the carriageway is permitted only after the approaching vehicle has stopped. After alighting from the vehicle, one should immediately clear the carriageway.

(Article 25 amended, supplemented by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N; amended by 15.11.10 ZA-171-N, 07.02.24 ZA-65-N)

Article 26. Basic Obligations of Passengers

A passenger is obliged to:

a) when traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts provided for by the design, be fastened with them, and when traveling on motorcycles or other motor vehicles — wear a fastened helmet;

b) after the stopping of the vehicle, board and alight only from the side of the sidewalk or shoulder, and if this is impossible — from the side of the carriageway, on the condition that this is done safely and does not create obstacles for other traffic participants.

A passenger is prohibited from:

a) distracting the driver's attention from operating the vehicle;

b) when traveling in the cargo bed of a freight automobile with a side platform, standing, sitting on the sides of the cargo bed or on cargo located above them;

c) opening the doors of the vehicle while moving, as well as opening the doors during a stop, if this would create an obstacle for other road traffic participants;

d) while moving, leaning out (protruding) from the vehicle or throwing any objects.

(Article 26 amended by 15.11.10 ZA-171-N)

CHAPTER 6. THE RIGHT TO OPERATE A VEHICLE

Article 27. Classification of Vehicles and the Right to Operate Them

Mechanical vehicles are divided into the following categories and subcategories:

• subcategory "AM" — mopeds and quadricycles having equivalent technical characteristics;
• 1.1) subcategory "A1" — motorcycles with a working volume of no more than 125 cubic cm and a maximum engine power of no more than 11 kW (or 15 horsepower) (light motorcycles);
• category "A" — motorcycles, with the exception of vehicles belonging to subcategories "AM" and "A1";
• subcategory "B1" — tricycles and quadricycles;
• category "B":
• • a. automobiles with a permitted maximum mass of no more than 3500 kg or a number of seats, in addition to the driver's seat, of no more than 8, with the exception of vehicles belonging to category "A", or
  • b. an automobile with a permitted maximum mass of no more than 3500 kg or a number of seats, in addition to the driver's seat, of no more than 8, with the exception of vehicles belonging to category "A", with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass does not exceed 750 kg, or
  • c. an automobile with a permitted maximum mass of no more than 3500 kg or a number of seats, in addition to the driver's seat, of no more than 8, with the exception of vehicles belonging to category "A", with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 750 kg but does not exceed the mass of the automobile without load, while the total permitted maximum mass of such a combination does not exceed 3500 kg;
• subcategory "C1":
• • a. freight automobiles, with the exception of vehicles belonging to category "D", whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 3500 kg but does not exceed 7500 kg, or
  • b. freight automobiles, with the exception of vehicles belonging to category "D", whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 3500 kg but does not exceed 7500 kg, with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass does not exceed 750 kg;
• category "C":
• • a. freight automobiles, with the exception of vehicles belonging to category "D", whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 3500 kg, or
  • b. as well as freight automobiles, with the exception of vehicles belonging to category "D", whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 3500 kg, with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass does not exceed 750 kg;
• subcategory "D1":
• • a. automobiles (buses) intended for the transport of passengers and having, in addition to the driver's seat, more than 8 but no more than 16 seats, or
  • b. automobiles (buses) intended for the transport of passengers and having, in addition to the driver's seat, more than 8 but no more than 16 seats, with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass does not exceed 750 kg;
• category "D":
• • a. automobiles (buses) intended for the transport of passengers and having, in addition to the driver's seat, more than 8 seats, or
  • b. automobiles (buses) intended for the transport of passengers and having, in addition to the driver's seat, more than 8 seats, with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass does not exceed 750 kg;
• category "BE":
• • a. an automobile of category "B" with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 750 kg and exceeds the mass of the automobile without load, or
  • b. an automobile of category "B" with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 750 kg, while the total permitted maximum mass of such a combination exceeds 3500 kg;
• subcategory "C1E" — an automobile of subcategory "C1" with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 750 kg but does not exceed the mass of the automobile without load, while the total permitted maximum mass of such a combination does not exceed 12000 kg;
• category "CE" — an automobile of category "C" with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 750 kg;
• subcategory "D1E" — an automobile of subcategory "D1" with a trailer not intended for the transport of passengers, whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 750 kg but does not exceed the mass of the automobile without load, while the total permitted maximum mass of such a combination does not exceed 12000 kg;
• category "DE" — an automobile (bus) of category "D" with a trailer whose permitted maximum mass exceeds 750 kg;
• category "T" — trolleybus.

Persons holding a driver's license for the right to operate vehicles of categories "C" and "CE", as well as subcategories "C1" and "C1E", are permitted to transport no more than 8 passengers in vehicles of these categories and subcategories (freight), and when transporting a greater number of passengers, the driver is obliged to also hold a driver's license for the right to operate a vehicle of category "D" or "DE", or subcategory "D1" or "D1E".

A driver's license for the right to operate vehicles is issued:

• subcategory "AM" — to persons who have reached 16 years of age, and categories "A", "B", and "C" and subcategories "A1", "B1", and "C1" — to persons who have reached 18 years of age;
• category "D" and subcategory "D1" — to persons who have reached 21 years of age, and in the case of conscription into the armed forces and other troops of the Republic of Armenia — to persons who have reached 19 years of age, holding a driver's license for the right to operate vehicles of category "B" or "C" or subcategory "C1";
• categories "BE", "CE", and "DE" and subcategories "C1E" and "D1E" — to persons who have reached 19 years of age, holding a driver's license for the right to operate vehicles respectively of categories "B", "C", or "D" or subcategories "C1" or "D1";
• d) category "T" — to persons who have reached 20 years of age.

(part repealed 09.12.19 ZA-278-N)

In the Republic of Armenia, national (including digital variants of national driver's licenses issued in digital form by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia) and international driver's licenses conforming to the requirements of the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia are valid, with the following provisions:

• international driver's licenses issued by the authorized bodies of the Republic of Armenia are considered invalid for operating vehicles on the territory of the Republic of Armenia;
• driver's licenses of citizens of the Republic of Armenia (including those who are persons with dual citizenship) obtained in other countries and conforming to the requirements for driver's licenses set by the Vienna Convention "On Road Traffic" of 1968 and its subsequent amendments and supplements, are considered valid on the territory of the Republic of Armenia for these persons from the moment of entry into the Republic of Armenia for a period of three months.

The right to operate vehicles arises from the moment of obtaining the driver's license or the provision of its digital variant.

International driver's licenses for the right to operate vehicles of categories "A" and "B" and subcategories "AM", "A1", and "B1" are issued to persons who have reached 18 years of age, and international driver's licenses for the right to operate vehicles of categories "C", "D", "BE", "CE", and "DE" and subcategories "C1", "D1", "C1E", and "D1E" — to persons who have reached 21 years of age.

A national driver's license is issued for a period of ten years, and an international driver's license — for up to three years, but no longer than the period of validity of the national driver's license or the medical accreditation certificate.

The practical examination for granting the right to operate a trolleybus is administered by organizations operating trolleybuses, in the manner established by order of the head of the state administration body in the field of transport and communications authorized by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

A national driver's license of the Republic of Armenia granting the right to operate vehicles of category "A" also grants the right to operate vehicles of subcategories "AM" and "A1", as well as vehicles of subcategory "B1" having a motorcycle-type seat or handlebars; a national driver's license of the Republic of Armenia granting the right to operate vehicles of category "B" also grants the right to operate vehicles of subcategory "B1" (with the exception of vehicles having a motorcycle-type seat or handlebars); a national driver's license of the Republic of Armenia granting the right to operate vehicles of category "C" also grants the right to operate vehicles of subcategory "C1"; a national driver's license of the Republic of Armenia granting the right to operate vehicles of category "D" also grants the right to operate vehicles of subcategory "D1"; a national driver's license of the Republic of Armenia granting the right to operate vehicles of category "CE" also grants the right to operate vehicles of subcategory "C1E"; a national driver's license of the Republic of Armenia granting the right to operate vehicles of category "DE" also grants the right to operate vehicles of subcategory "D1E".

Upon loss, as well as upon exchange of a driver's license issued by the authorized bodies of the Republic of Armenia (including one exchanged in other states), as well as of a driver's license issued by the authorized bodies of the states of the USSR before February 21, 1992, its holder is, in the manner established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, issued a new driver's license for the right to operate vehicles of the same category without taking qualification examinations.

On the basis of driver's licenses of citizens of the Republic of Armenia who are persons with dual citizenship, obtained in other countries and conforming to the requirements for driver's licenses set by the Vienna Convention "On Road Traffic" of 1968 and its subsequent amendments and supplements, a national driver's license of the Republic of Armenia for the right to operate vehicles of the same category or subcategory is issued in the manner established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, without taking qualification examinations.

A driver's license obtained in other states and conforming to the requirements for driver's licenses set by the Vienna Convention "On Road Traffic" of November 8, 1968 and its subsequent amendments and supplements is exchanged for a national driver's license of the Republic of Armenia for the right to operate vehicles of the same category or subcategory in the manner established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, without taking qualification examinations.

In place of a lost or stolen foreign (with the exception of one issued by the authorized bodies of the states of the USSR before February 21, 1992) national and international driver's license, a national and international driver's license of the Republic of Armenia is not provided.

National and international driver's licenses obtained in other states and not conforming to the requirements of the international treaties of the Republic of Armenia are not exchanged for national and international driver's licenses of the Republic of Armenia, and a duplicate of a lost driver's license is not issued.

Persons who are not citizens of the Republic of Armenia are permitted to operate vehicles on the territory of the Republic of Armenia using an international driver's license only if a national driver's license is available.

It is prohibited to carry out entrepreneurial and (or) labor activity directly connected with operating vehicles in the Republic of Armenia using foreign national or international driver's licenses, with the exception of cases of carrying out international transport. The prohibition provided for by this part is not applied, on the principle of reciprocity, with respect to citizens of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.

A national driver's license issued in another country that is not a party to international treaties in the field of ensuring road traffic safety jointly with the Republic of Armenia is, on conditions of reciprocity, considered valid on the territory of the Republic of Armenia for operating a vehicle only if it is presented with a notarized translation into Armenian, except in cases where all the entries in this driver's license are made or duplicated in Latin letters.

Foreign national and international driver's licenses are considered valid for operating vehicles on the territory of the Republic of Armenia for vehicles of the corresponding categories and subcategories of the said driver's licenses from the moment the holders reach the age established by this Article.

(Article 27 supplemented, reworded by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N; reworded by 15.11.10 ZA-171-N; supplemented, amended, reworded by 09.12.19 ZA-278-N; reworded, supplemented by 03.07.25 ZA-251-N, 03.07.25 ZA-257-N) (Law 03.07.25 ZA-251-N has a transitional provision) (Law 03.07.25 ZA-257-N has a transitional provision)

Article 28. Basic Requirements for the Training of a Vehicle Driver

Persons who have reached the age established by part four of this Article and who do not have, in the cases provided for by legislation, contraindications connected with driving activity, including the state of health, may, after receiving training according to the curriculum and program approved by the authorized body of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, participate in the manner established by legislation in qualification examinations for the right to operate a vehicle.

1.1. A person learning to operate a vehicle must be no younger than 16 years of age.

1.2. Persons who have studied independently may also, in the manner established by legislation, participate in qualification examinations for obtaining a driver's license for the right to operate vehicles of categories "A", "B", and "C", as well as subcategories "AM", "A1", "B1", and "C1".

1.3. A person who has applied for obtaining a driver's license of categories "A", "B", and "BE", as well as subcategories "AM", "A1", and "B1" (including for the exchange of a driver's license or obtaining a duplicate driver's license), undergoes medical accreditation if:

• in carrying out the process of obtaining a driver's license, it is evident that he may have a contraindication, indication, or limitation established by Article 22.1 of this Law that is an obstacle to operating a vehicle (an upper or lower limb, a hand or a foot is absent, or there is movement-limiting deformity of the hand or foot, as well as deformities and defects of fingers or phalanges of the hands, problems of the neck or back, evident vision impairments or absence of an eye, evident hearing impairments);
• in the completed declaration of the state of health there is a note about a state of health impeding the operation of a vehicle.

1.4. In the cases provided for in points 1 and 2 of part 1.3 of this Article, the requirement for medical accreditation is issued to the person who has applied for obtaining a driver's license by the authorized internal affairs body at the moment of submitting the application for obtaining a driver's license (including for the exchange of a driver's license or obtaining a duplicate driver's license).

1.5. The forms of the requirement for medical accreditation and of the declaration of the state of health are established by a decree of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

1.6. Persons applying for the initial obtaining of a driver's license for the right to operate vehicles of categories "C", "D", "T", and "CE", "DE", subcategories "C1", "D1", and "C1E", "D1E" must submit to the authorized internal affairs body a certificate of having undergone medical accreditation.

1.7. A person who has applied for the exchange of a driver's license for the right to operate vehicles of categories "C", "D", "T", and "CE", "DE", subcategories "C1", "D1", and "C1E", "D1E", or for obtaining a duplicate driver's license, must undergo medical accreditation if, in carrying out the process of obtaining a driver's license, it is evident that he may have a contraindication, indication, or limitation established by Article 22.1 of this Law that is an obstacle to operating a vehicle (movement limitation or deformities of the arms, legs, fingers of the hands, or their absence, problems of the neck or back, evident vision impairments or absence of an eye, evident hearing impairments), or in the completed declaration of the state of health there is a note about a state of health impeding the operation of a vehicle.

1.8. The personal data of persons having health problems impeding the operation of a vehicle, subject to narcological medical assistance and servicing, as well as registered with psychiatric organizations, are processed electronically and, upon an electronic request at the moment of submitting the application for obtaining a driver's license (for the exchange of a driver's license or obtaining a duplicate of a lost driver's license), become accessible through the unified electronic database of the body authorized in the field of healthcare to the authorized internal affairs body and the police.

(part repealed 21.02.07 ZA-72-N)

Only candidate drivers may participate in the practical examination.

A person who has reached 17 years of age may become a candidate driver, with the exception of a candidate driver of a vehicle of subcategory "AM". A person who has reached 16 years of age may become a candidate driver of a vehicle of subcategory "AM".

(part repealed 21.02.07 ZA-72-N)

A person teaching practical operation on an individual basis must hold a driver's license for the right to operate a vehicle of the given category.

Initial training in the practical operation of vehicles is carried out at a driving range or motor area, and in their absence — in a closed territory isolated from road traffic, equipped with the technical devices necessary for the initial practical operation of vehicles.

A vehicle used for the purpose of training in practical operation must have the appropriate distinguishing sign and be equipped with a rear-view mirror intended for the person teaching operation, as well as additional clutch (with the exception of vehicles with automatic transmission) and brake pedals. Training in practical operation may be carried out on those roads where the local self-government bodies have not prohibited its conduct.

In the event of a violation of the traffic rules by a candidate driver undergoing training in practical operation, liability, in the manner established by law, is borne by the driver-instructor of the educational institution or the person teaching practical operation on an individual basis.

(part repealed 08.12.10 ZA-228-N) (part repealed 08.12.10 ZA-228-N)

(Article 28 amended, reworded, supplemented by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N; amended by 26.12.08 ZA-22-N; supplemented, amended by 15.11.10 ZA-171-N; amended by 08.12.10 ZA-228-N, 08.12.11 ZA-332-N, 21.12.15 ZA-183-N; reworded, supplemented by 09.12.19 ZA-278-N; amended by 16.12.22 ZA-476-N) (Law 16.12.22 ZA-476-N has a final part and transitional provisions)

Article 29. Termination of the Right to Operate and Invalidation of the Driver's License

(title reworded by 09.12.19 ZA-278-N)

A person's right to operate is terminated if:

• there is a court decision that has entered into legal force declaring him legally incapable;
• there is information about his mental illness, an illness caused by the use of narcotic substances and (or) psychotropic (psychoactive) substances, and (or) about the non-conformity of the state of health to the conditions established by legislation;
• there is a judicial act of a court that has entered into legal force on the deprivation of the right to operate, or an act of another authorized body that has entered into force;
• he has died.

A person's driver's license is invalidated if:

• there is one of the grounds provided for in part 1 of this Article;
• the period of validity of the driver's license has expired;
• the driver's license has been lost, and the person has applied for obtaining a new license or has notified of the loss.

2.1.

2.2.

Upon discovery of a driver's license invalidated on the grounds provided for in points 1 and 2 of part 2 of this Article, the police seizes this driver's license.

The right to operate, terminated on the grounds provided for in points 1–3 of part 1 of this Article, is restored after the elimination of the ground for termination of the right to operate — after taking the qualification examinations.

(Article 29 supplemented, reworded by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N; supplemented by 15.11.10 ZA-171-N; reworded by 09.12.19 ZA-278-N; amended by 04.03.26 ZA-62-N) (the Article, in the part of amending point 2 of part 2 of Article 2 of Law 04.03.26 ZA-62-N, enters into force from the day of ensuring interaction between the electronic healthcare system and the corresponding electronic register of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia)

Article 30. Teaching Citizens the Rules of Safe Behavior on Motor Roads

The teaching of citizens the rules of safe behavior on motor roads is ensured by educational institutions implementing educational programs in the manner established by legislation.

In general secondary educational institutions, compulsory teaching of traffic rules is carried out in accordance with programs approved by the state administration body of the Republic of Armenia in the field of education and science.

The teaching of citizens the rules of safe behavior on motor roads is carried out according to model programs jointly developed by the territorial state administration bodies and the state administration bodies in the fields of transport, education, healthcare, environmental protection, and social protection of the population.

The police, as well as mass media established by state bodies and local self-government bodies, in the manner established by legislation, provide assistance to the authorized bodies in the matter of teaching citizens the rules of safe behavior when moving on roads.

(Article 30 amended by 04.03.20 ZA-127-N)

CHAPTER 7. STATE CONTROL AND SUPERVISION IN THE FIELD OF ENSURING ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY

Article 31. State Control and Supervision in the Field of Ensuring Road Traffic Safety

State control and supervision in the field of ensuring road traffic safety are carried out by state bodies and local self-government bodies authorized for this in the manner established by law.

Article 32. Coordination of Certain Types of Activity in the Field of Ensuring Road Traffic Safety

Authorized bodies, organizations, and persons may, with the consent of the police, carry out:

a) the placement, directly on the road and near it, of kiosks, advertising boards, etc. having an entrance and exit onto the road;

b) the transport of heavy, oversized, as well as dangerous cargo and uncleaned containers;

c) the movement of vehicles exceeding the dimensions established by the traffic rules, as well as those operated in a road train configuration with two or more trailers;

d) the re-equipment of a vehicle and the alteration of its design;

e) the production of vehicles — at the stages of design, testing, and manufacture.

In addition to the cases provided for in part one of this Article, the relevant officials also coordinate with the police and other authorized state administration and local self-government bodies:

a) projects for the organization of road traffic and the installation of technical devices;

b) projects for the construction, reconstruction, and repair of the road and its engineering structures;

c) programs and (or) projects for the performance of any works that impede road traffic;

d) the location of stopping points for public-use vehicles on routes and these routes;

e) curricula for the training of specialists in ensuring road traffic safety, driver-instructors, and drivers;

f) the list of roads on which training operation is permitted;

g) the conduct on the road of public, sporting, and other events.

In the case of granting permission for the conduct of the events specified in point "g" of part two of this Article, the body issuing it is obliged to inform the police thereof.

(Article 32 supplemented by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N, 15.11.10 ZA-171-N; amended by 14.04.11 ZA-99-N)

CHAPTER 8. LIABILITY FOR VIOLATION OF THE LEGISLATION ON ENSURING ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY

Article 33. Liability for Violation of the Legislation on Ensuring Road Traffic Safety

Persons violating the legislation on ensuring road traffic safety bear liability in the manner established by law.

CHAPTER 8.1. MATERIAL AND TECHNICAL PROVISION OF THE ROAD POLICE IN THE FIELD OF ENSURING ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY

(chapter supplemented by 21.02.07 ZA-72-N)

Article 33.1. Extra-Budgetary Fund for Material Incentives and Technical Development

(Article repealed by 14.11.19 ZA-240-N)

(the supplementation of Article 11 of Law 09.12.19 ZA-278-N cannot be carried out, since Article 33.1 was repealed in accordance with Article 3 of Law 14.11.19 ZA-240-N)

Article 33.2. Amounts of Mandatory Payments Payable to the Extra-Budgetary Fund

(Article repealed by 14.11.19 ZA-240-N)

CHAPTER 9. FINAL PROVISION

Article 34. Entry of the Law into Force

This Law enters into force on the tenth day following the day of its official publication.