The requirement for Moldovan drivers to produce a mandatory vehicle insurance bought in the Transnistrian region when driving through the area can be appealed with the competent agencies, such as the General Police Inspectorate or other law enforcement and justice agencies. The commentary was provided to IPN by the Integration Policy Bureau.

According to the Bureau, people have the right to appeal the fines imposed on them “under the principle that any document issued by agents not authorized by law and on forms not approved by the normative framework are illegitimate and are subject to the appropriate form of legal liability”.

The Bureau says the recent cases of Moldovan drivers being fined when traveling to the left bank of the Nistru is a reaction by Tiraspol to the fact that the competent national authorities require drivers, including from the Transnistrian region, to have mandatory insurance issued by companies licensed in the Republic of Moldova.

From June 2023, all types of motor vehicles registered in the Republic of Moldova, either on the right or left bank, must have a mandatory civil liability insurance policy issued by licensed companies. Failure to comply is punishable by fines ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 lei and 3 demerit points.

The Bureau also declares that the requirements established by the national legislation are not the subject of the negotiations with Tiraspol.