Uzbekistan to Seize Vehicles for Five Major Traffic Violations

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan to Confiscate Vehicles, Jail First-Time Drunk Drivers Under Sweeping Road Safety Crackdown

Uzbekistan is preparing to introduce temporary vehicle seizure for five categories of serious traffic violations, arrest for first-time drunk drivers, and criminal liability for vehicle owners who allow minors behind the wheel — the most significant tightening of road traffic penalties in years, following a presidential briefing on rising road fatalities and injuries.

The package was developed by an interagency working group and presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Sherzod Ibragimov, head of the Road Safety Service of the Interior Ministry's Public Security Department, outlined the proposals after the meeting, citing a worsening injury and mortality trend on Uzbek roads.

Ibragimov identified two particular hazards driving the reform: the practice of handing vehicles to underage drivers, and the organization of illegal street races in populated areas. He also flagged a structural flaw in the existing penalty regime — a discount system allowing repeat serious offenders to pay reduced fines, which officials say actively encourages re-offending. Under the proposals, that discount will be suspended for one full year for anyone committing a serious traffic violation. Currently, offenders can settle fines at 50 percent within 15 days or 70 percent within a month.

The core measures include temporary vehicle confiscation for five types of gross violations; new administrative penalties for transferring a vehicle to a minor, organizing or participating in illegal racing, and parking heavy trucks on roadsides at night; and confiscation or temporary seizure for road aggression committed by unlicensed or licence-revoked drivers.

The drunk driving provision represents a significant shift: arrest of up to 15 days will apply on the first offence, whereas current law reserves arrest for repeat violations only.

The most serious new measure targets vehicle owners directly. Those who knowingly permit a minor to drive and whose decision results in an accident causing bodily harm, death, or other grave consequences will face direct criminal liability — closing a loophole that previously left owners insulated from prosecution.