Since June 19, Russia has changed car towing rules. If the owner reaches the car before the tow truck starts moving, the vehicle must be removed from the loader. Penalties for drunk driving and parking in spaces for the disabled have also been tightened, and towing is now allowed only where there is a Tow truck operating sign. New measures have also been introduced for temporarily imported cars, drivers without documents, and those who ride a moped without a helmet or with an unfastened helmet. The article explains in detail how these rules will now work and what fines violators face.

As of June 19, the rules for vehicle towing have been changed. Thus, a car must be removed from the tow truck as soon as the vehicle owner arrives.
The penalty for drunk driving has also been tightened. In the event of a repeat offense, the violator faces a fine of 200,000 to 300,000 rubles or criminal liability.
According to the changes, towing of a vehicle is stopped after the owner comes up to the car and catches it while it is being loaded.
As reported by Vyacheslav Zhilkin, head of the Traffic Police Directorate of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Irkutsk Region, until movement begins, such an enforcement measure as impoundment of a vehicle is not applied. The vehicle must be unloaded without fail. The driver only pays an administrative fine for violating parking rules.
Now a traffic police inspector is required to be present with the tow truck and the driver carrying out the towing of the car until the tow truck begins to move.
Note that previously this measure was specified only in regional law.
In addition, the federal law strengthens administrative liability for violating the rules of stopping and parking cars in places designated for vehicles of disabled persons. A fine of 5,000 rubles is now provided for violating this rule. At the same time, such an enforcement measure as towing the offender’s vehicle is introduced. Administrative liability is also introduced for the illegal installation of disability signs on cars. A fine of 5,000 rubles and confiscation of the sign are also provided for violating this rule, Vyacheslav Zhilkin said.
In addition, towing of cars is permitted only where there is a sign reading “Tow truck operating.”
- The legislator gave us the opportunity until August 8 to bring all such road sections into compliance with the requirements. First of all, such signs will be installed in the central part of Irkutsk. Therefore, this rule will apply only from August, - Vyacheslav Zhilkin emphasized.
Another rule concerns vehicles temporarily imported into Russia. If the driver has no documents, he will be fined 500 rubles, and the car will be impounded.
If a motorist forgot their driver’s license, a traffic police inspector can now check the driver against information databases. If the driver is listed in the database, the car will not be taken away.
However, the fine will still have to be paid.
Liability in the form of a fine of 1,000 rubles is also introduced for riding a moped without a motorcycle helmet or with an unfastened motorcycle helmet.