Driving through Ukraine. Easy? or Not?
 

Hi All,

I'm planning to drive out to the Stans via Poland, Ukraine, then Russia in April 2013.

As far as I can tell Ukraine is drivable without too many issues. Though I been told of the possibilities of charges at the border.

Has anybody driven through recently? and if so what were the issues you need to prepare for?

Jon
Big O's Adventures

hello, I travel the south ok ukrainia, . (kerck /bolrad Border at moldavia)
many policemen , but no problem if you take care at radar speed.
i go to the stan in may ;
tiger

Drove there with my wife in a Citroen C5 last summer. Completely hassel-free. I found Romania more accomodating for travelers though, but don't let that put you off.

Romania is very nice and the transylvania region would be awesome on two wheels.

Happy roads!

Speed limit drops at the point where a sign is posted indicating any sort of town. New speed limit may not be posted--you're expected to know this. There are often police hiding just past that point.

Most roads are of the long and boring sort. The (few) mountainous areas are nice.

I don't recall any particular trouble at the borders on two trips there, although I think that was one of the very rare places where the border guards noticed I was using a photocopied registration document rather than the real thing.

Mark

Hi. We found the major roads extremely bus with trucks, cars, horse wagons, drunken people.... so we did as many unpaved road, mainly in the south as possible. Great fun, friendly people, best bush camps, no police.

Thanks guys. Did anybody get charged any fees when entering Ukraine with their car? i.e car registration fees

Cost me $25 at the Russian/Ukraine border my first time then I learned how the Maybe Document Problem scam worked. Carry USD $5 $10 increments for when you get caught SPEEDING, CROSSING NO PASSING SOLID LINE or doing U-TURNS, it can get expensive.

Completely agree with Mark on all points. Watch out for speeding tickets. They also noticed my photocopied title, I think they use an ultraviolet lamp or something to look for watermarks on the document. The guy spent quite some time looking at my document, turning it over, and then asked me if I had any other documents. I said no, and they let me in, but that was the only place that has happened...

We entered Ukraine from Russia at the Taganrog/Novoazovsk border crossing heading north west to avoid going into Moldova and then south to Chernivsti before entering Romania - some 1500 kms or so in Ukraine.

Although we saw lots of traffic cops/radar we had no hassles as we kept within the limits (most of the time) and had no problems or fees at border crossings coming in or leaving - just the usual scramble at the kiosks and jostling to get your documents cleared.

Roads, on the whole, were not too bad compared with some of the ones we encountered in Siberia - maybe the odd manhole cover missing so perhaps not a good idea to drive/ride at night.

People were very friendly and always welcoming.

I forgot to mention one thing: when you enter Ukraine, get a tourist visa rather than a transit visa--IIRC with a transit visa you need to specify the exit point, but with a tourist visa you don't. I got a transit visa and didn't know about this rule, so they made a slight fuss when I exited at the "wrong" border crossing.

Motoreiter

If Big O is UK resident he shouldn't need a visa should he ? I don't recall having to get a visa.

Cheers for the info. I am a UK resident with a British Passport so I don't need a visa as far as I aware.

Ufff, Ukraina police:(doh. I pass Ukraina from border Romania, Chernevci and gone to Sevastopol, moto meeting Russian Night Wolfs. Than I driving to Siberia (Juli-Avgust 2012).
Ukrain police is most corrupt in Europa (they have competition in Moldova).
I pay 60e for nothing, stranger on motorcycle are MONEY for them, rights mafia and bastard. They asked me for 150e, say I must go to judges, camera recorded me on overtaking on full line. Its lie, but I stare to moto meeting and make "agrement" for 60e.
In 10000km in Russia, I have not any problem, just driving normal and enjoy, one time police forgive my fast violation (120kmh, restriction is 80kmh), but when I back in Ukraina, on chekpoint control policeman say to me, "problem, you overtaking on full line one km before". There I saw two policeman, but they dont stop me, I driving behind truck. But et the moment passed by them, they fast call somebody, understand:taz::(?.
I say" ok, I have not money, I'm going to sleep in jail, no problem, its wonderfull vacation after Siberia". When they saw that there was nothing of the robbery, they let me go:Beach:. It's safer to drive the main road. Some my friend pay 50e also, they said to me in Sevastopol.
People in Ukraina are nice and like to help, but police is horrible, its my experience:mad2::gunsmilie:.

oops, sorry, looks like it changed (at least for US citizens) since I was there; previously US citizens had to get a visa at the border.

Trying to work out the best place to enter Russia by car from Donetsk, Ukraine direction. Anybody have a suggestion?

There seems to be a border near Krasnodon. Anybody know the border name? Any details or experience of travelling through there?

Police in UA is indeed a problem last 2 years again. We passed UA may be 10 times from 2004 till now and from revolution till 2009/10 not many problems but last year they feel somehow stronger to try to bribe. There is a list of phone numbers per region that you can call when they are trying, you will be put into contact with an English speaking person and you just explain the problem you have with the local policeman.

I have to look for the list with numbers, will publish it here later on.

About crossing border to UA. there are no fees to be paid only for cart above 3.5T but that is only an administrative fee and it is only 1 Euro!!

Groetjes,

Jeroen

Another document .... such as a portrait of Andrew Jackson "document"?

On Russia - Ukrain border (Kursk - Gluhovo) customs official (Ukrains):eek3::clap: asked for a gift in offical room, I rejected him ("gift remained in Siberia") and I had no problem.

Hotline | Office of State Automobile Inspection of Ukraine

Telephone numbers of “hot lines” of State Traffic Inspection and post addresses of departments of SAI of regions

Divisions of SАI
Code
Telephone number of “hot line”
Address

Department of the SAI of MIA of Ukraine
044
272-4659
Lukyanovska str. 62,
Kyiv, 0417

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea
0652
55-01-61
Kyivska str.152а,
Simferopol, 95034

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Vinnytsia Region
0432
59-34-34
Botanicheska str. 23,
Vinnytsia, 21100



Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukrainein the Volyn Region
0332
74-22-44
Zaliznychnogo str. 15,
Lutsk, 43000

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukrainein the Dnipropetrovs’k Region
056
744-51-92
Shirshova str. 9,
Dnipropetrovsk, 49600

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Donets᾽k Region
062
345-23-30
Khodorkovskogo str. 10,
Donetsk, 83023

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukrainein the Zhytomyr Region
0412
47-39-15
Shchorsastr. 96,
Zhytomyr, 10031

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukrainein the Zakarpattia Region
03122
3-22-86
Koshevogo str. 2,
Uzhhorod, 88000

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Zaporizhia Region
061
224-30-20
40-years of Soviet Ukrainestr. 57а,
Zaporizhia, 69035

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukrainein the Ivano-Frankivsk Region
03422
30-5-73
Unosti str. 23,
Ivano-Frankivsk, 76000

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Kyiv Region
044
249-84-02
F.Ernsta str. 3,
Kyiv, 03153

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the City of Kyiv
044
483-70-64
B. Khmelnytskogo str. 54,
Kyiv, 01030

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Kirovograd Region
0522
35-75-33
Panfilovtsev str. 22-Б,
Kirovograd, 25030

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Lugansk Region
0642
93-57-80
Lineva str. 150,
Luhansk, 91008

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the L᾽viv Region
0322
64-69-41
Perfetckogo str. 19,
Lviv, 79053

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Mykolaiv Region
0512
21-20-91
Novozavodskastr. 1-Б,
Mykolaiv, 54056

Division of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Odessa Region
0482
30-17-53
Koroleva str. 5,
Odessa, 65114

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Poltava Region
0532
59-07-25
Frunze str. 164,
Poltava, 36008

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Rivne Region
0362
63-58-21
S.Bandery, 14а,
Rivne, 33028

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Sumy Region
0542
67-54-14
Belopolskуi str. 18/1,
Sumy, 40009

Division of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the City of Sevastopol
0692
65-06-83
Promislovastr. 1,
Sevastopol, 99040

Division Department of the STI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Ternopil Region
0352
52-38-86
Kotlyarevskogo str. 24,
Ternopil, 46000

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Kharkiv Region
057
704-15-81
Shevchenko str. 26,
Kharkiv, 61013

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Kherson Region
0552
43-25-36
Senyavina str. 128,
Kherson, 73034

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Khmelnitskyi Region
0382
70-31-31
Kocubinskii str. 35/2,
Khmelnytskyi, 29008

Department of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Cherkassy Region
0472
39-32-11
L.Ukrainki str. 21,
Cherkassy, 18000

Division of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Chernihiv Region
04622
5-63-02
Borisenko str. 66,
Chernihiv,14037

Division of the SAI of The Main Department of the MIA of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi Region
0372
55-05-13
Zavodskastr. 22,
Chernivtsi, 58007

Brilliant information. Many thanks for this. Off to Ukraine in Jul;y and this document will go with me,

thanks again

ukraine ok
 

Hi, I,ve been to Ukraine many times. Police were corrupt but carry 5euro notes. Max fine should be about 25 euro voluntary contribution to police benevolent fund.
Roads are OK. People friendly. Strict zero tolerance drink driving.
Kiev Interesting. But plenty of small attractive towns. Insist on Ukrainian beer as imported is expensive.
Carry original bike documents. Would you expect people to accept photocopies of money?!

You could be stopped from leaving the country if you do not have your registration document.
Have fun. John

Hi All,

My time in the Ukraine went pretty well. I good caught a couple of times speeding. You need to watch out for pedestrian crossings on the highway. The speed goes from 100 to 50 in 200m. Its stupid but that's where they catch you. Fortunately my lack of Russian meant they gave up on extracting a fine from me. What also helped was a short translation in Russian that I had, explaining that I was going on an adventure across Central Asia, and could they help me out. Usually brought a smile and a wave before being sent on my way.

Big O

Been in Ukraine three times and never any problems at the border crossings or with the police. I always stay within speed limit and follow other traffic laws. Never been stopped. I´ve had friends that has been stopped in Ukraine tho and the basic rule is to NEVER pay fake fines or bribes. Never ever. Don´t do it. They must learn that tourists are not ATM machines for police officers. They will eventually let you go without paying so just play the game and talk with them til they get tired and let you leave. Don´t get mad at them. Just be kind and let things take it´s time......

Odessa, bikers, first aid, workshop
 

if you are crossing Odessa in Ukraine, look for the biker meeting place right in the center of town. you can ask any local biker. Every evening they meet Deribasivska and Havarna street if I remember right. the scene there is very helpful and sticks together. they even have their own organization to help bikers in serious trouble in town like accidents. Sasha: 084.7041551, [url=http://www.sempo.od.ua/]

Have been into Ukraine twice now, two years ago and July this year. Got asked for money first time on leaving border crossing, didn't give him any. This time no problems at all, plenty of smiles and helpfulness. Got stopped by police twice this trip, both times for speeding allegedly. Again no money handed over as neither time was I asked for any.
Your mileage may vary as will the road conditions, be prepared for some that you are not used too but they will all be ride-able. Give yourself a day or so to tune in and you'll be fine.

Ukraine is extremely easy to pass through.

No fees at the border, no visa.

Pay for insurance and that's it.

If you don't like paying fines to the police, then don't break the law.

Have to agree there, just spent 3 weeks driving round Ukraine, mainly Western half.

Had no problems at all of the legal kind, but then I don't try to drive through towns at 70mph anywhere in the world!!

Much less traffic and less crazy drivers than Romania, but the roads are worse. Some of the secondary routes are truly appalling, such as the road to Osmoloda. Just keep the eyes peeled for pot holes everywhere and you'll be fine.

For the 'uninitiated' all the road signs are in cyrillics only except in the far west and on some very main roads, eg L'viv to Kiev.

Lovely country, didn't find it boring at all, its just not geared towards the tourist trade yet. Thankfully.:funmeteryes:

I agree with that too.

Ukraine was easy, friendly and i had no problems.

I saw a lot of police, but never got stopped.
Maybe this has to do something with my Gopro on the helmet, I dont know.

I did take care where to go faster than allowed, be careful at cities and dont cross straight lines.

I had the green insurance card and did not need any other insurance.

Customs have been very professional and friendly, tough but straight forward.

So everything was normal