---
title: "Breakdown on the highway: what to do by law to avoid losing your license"
description: "🚗 Broke down on the highway? Don't panic — turn on the \"hazard lights\", place the sign, and wear a vest! 🚨 Fine for violation — from 510 UAH to license revocation. Know the rules — save a life. #road #safety #trafficrules"
date: 2026-07-23T04:16:02.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/breakdown-on-the-highway-what-to-do-by-law-to-avoid-losing-your-license
tags: [ukraine, traffic-rules, road-safety, rbk-ukraine, administrative-penalty]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Breakdown on the highway: what to do by law to avoid losing your license

![Woman with child near broken car on road, emergency sign nearby, dark weather](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/23/slomalsya-na-trasse-chto-delat-po-zakonu-chtoby-ne-poteryat-prava/slomalsya-na-trasse-chto-delat-po-zakonu-chtoby-ne-poteryat-prava-1.webp)

A car breakdown on the highway is a situation that can catch any driver off guard. A sudden stop in traffic or on a section with limited visibility creates a real threat to safety. However, panic is not helpful here. The Traffic Rules of Ukraine and the Code of Administrative Offenses clearly regulate the algorithm of actions, which determines not only the preservation of property but also the lives of road users.

### First rule: turn on the "hazard lights"

According to paragraph 9.9 of the Traffic Rules, in the event of a forced stop due to a malfunction, the driver must immediately turn on the emergency warning lights. This is a signal to others: the car is stopped not for unloading or rest, but for technical reasons. Drivers noticing the flashing lights will have time to slow down or change lanes, preventing a collision.

### If the car is still moving — move it off the road

Paragraph 15.14 of the Traffic Rules prescribes: if the vehicle has stopped where stopping is prohibited (for example, on the roadway in a populated area or on a bridge), the driver must do everything possible to move it off the road. Even if the engine stalls but the wheels still turn — push the car to the shoulder or to a safe place. This is not just a recommendation, but an obligation.

### The emergency stop sign — not a formality, but a necessity

Just the "hazard lights" are not enough if the vehicle is standing in a place with limited visibility: around a bend, on top of a hill, in fog, or at night. Paragraph 9.10 of the Traffic Rules obliges the driver to place an emergency stop sign in such cases. The distance to the sign depends on the terrain:

- In a populated area — no closer than 20 meters from the vehicle;

- Outside the city — no closer than 40 meters.

The sign must be clearly visible to oncoming drivers. Its installation is not bureaucracy, but a way to save lives.

### Reflective elements — your insurance in the dark

If you have to get out of the car at night, in rain or fog, paragraph 9.11 of the Traffic Rules strongly recommends using reflective elements — vests, bands, stickers. A driver noticing the reflected light will spot a person hundreds of meters away, not at the last moment. This is critical for preventing a collision.

### Fines for violations: from 510 hryvnias to license revocation

Failure to comply with the rules for using emergency warning signals entails administrative liability. According to Part 2 of Article 122 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO), the fine is 510 hryvnias. But if the violation created an emergency situation — for example, the car was standing without a sign on a bend and almost collided with another vehicle — the sanction increases to 1445 hryvnias or deprivation of the right to drive for a period from six months to one year (Part 5 of Article 122 of the CAO).

### What else drivers need to know

Previously, RBK-Ukraine explained when driving in the left lane is permitted and what fines threaten for violations. We also discussed whether you need to yield to a bus pulling away from a stop and how to properly cross an intersection when the traffic light is not working. These rules are not just letters in a code, but tools that help avoid accidents and save lives.

Remember: even in a stressful situation, it is important to act according to the rules. This is not only the law, but also responsibility towards other people on the road.