Driving Without a License Under the Influence Criminalized in Artsakh

Driving without a license while under the influence will be criminalized in Artsakh. This information was reported by the Artsakh Republic Police to NEWS.am.

A draft law currently circulating in the Artsakh parliament proposes criminal liability for individuals without a driver's license who drive a vehicle under the influence or refuse to undergo sobriety testing. Violations of traffic rules could also lead to penalties resulting in deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in specified activities.

Under existing law, there were no administrative fines or criminal penalties for driving a vehicle under the influence without a license or for refusing sobriety testing. The proposed amendments to the Artsakh Criminal Code aim to criminalize such actions.

The bill specifically stipulates that individuals deprived of the right to drive or whose driving privileges are suspended will face fines ranging from 200 to 300 times the minimum wage, or imprisonment for up to two months, along with the possibility of being stripped of rights to hold certain positions or engage in activities for up to one year.

If a person without a license drives a vehicle after an administrative penalty for the same offense within one year, they will face fines ranging from 200 to 300 times the minimum wage or imprisonment for up to two months, along with deprivation of rights for up to one year.

According to the second point of the bill, a person without the right to drive a vehicle who drives under the influence or refuses sobriety testing will be punished with fines ranging from 300 to 500 times the minimum wage, or imprisonment for six months to one year, as well as possible deprivation of rights for up to two years.