Regulations governing the circulation of vehicles on public roads in relation to maximum permitted weights and dimensions will be aligned with European standards. Parliament has approved in the first reading a draft law on the administration and use of public roads.

The document, prepared by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, transposes relevant European Union directives into national legislation.

One of the key amendments introduces a single set of maximum limits for the weight and dimensions of vehicles allowed on public roads. This will enable transport operators to plan routes and vehicle configurations based on clear and uniform rules, reducing the risk of differing interpretations during inspections and limiting exposure to penalties caused by regulatory ambiguities. Currently, maximum permitted limits vary depending on the category of road, such as rehabilitated, non-rehabilitated, or gravel roads.

The draft law also introduces the concept of TEN-T European roads, which form part of the Trans-European Transport Network. According to the explanatory note, in the context of Moldova’s European integration process and participation in the development of European transport corridors, it is necessary to regulate this category of roads in national legislation and assign them a distinct designation within the national road classification system.

In addition, the bill establishes clearer rules regarding land use in road protection zones and the management of access roads connected to public roads. Public road administrators will be authorized to remove or modify unauthorized access roads, as well as those affected by road modernization projects.

The draft law will now be submitted to Parliament for a second reading. Following its adoption, most provisions will enter into force upon publication in the Official Gazette. However, the provisions concerning the maximum weight and dimension limits of vehicles will take effect only upon the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the European Union.