President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a new version of the Automobile Roads law. The law was passed by the Legislative Chamber on September 23, 2025, and approved by the Senate on April 7, 2026. The president signed it on August 5. The document applies to all roads in Uzbekistan, regardless of ownership or classification.

Roads divided into three categories

Under the new law, roads in Uzbekistan are divided into three types:

• Public roads - state property, managed by the Road Committee under the Ministry of Transport;
• Streets in cities and other settlements (internal roads) - managed by local authorities;
• Utility roads - which may be owned by the state, legal entities or individuals.

Public roads are further divided into roads of international, national and local significance, and classified into five categories based on their technical and operational characteristics.

One of the law's key innovations concerns the regulation of toll roads. Decisions on building, reconstructing and operating a toll road will be made by the president or, within its authority, the Cabinet of Ministers.

A road may only be designated as a toll road if a free alternative route in adequate condition exists between the relevant locations. Any decision to establish a toll road must specify its route, starting and ending points, technical parameters, length, the period during which tolls will be charged, and the specific road that will serve as the free alternative.

The law also enshrines a principle of equal and convenient access: users are guaranteed free, unrestricted use of public roads. Toll roads may only be built where a free route is available, and toll rates must be economically justified and reflect users' socioeconomic needs.

Toll roads will remain state property. Under public-private partnership projects, they may be transferred to a private partner for ownership or use for the duration of the project.

How toll rates will be set

Tolls may only be introduced where the road offers higher speed limits and a high level of service along its entire length.

Toll rates will be set by the operator but may not exceed an approved maximum, unless a public-private partnership agreement provides otherwise. Rates may be fixed or calculated per kilometer traveled, and may be differentiated by vehicle category, time of day, day of the week or month. Vehicles within the same category must be charged equally.

Before a trip, operators must give users full information about the toll road's layout, pricing and payment methods, vehicle categories exempt from tolls, and contact details for emergency services and responsible agencies.

Exemptions apply to specialized vehicles belonging to traffic safety services, fire services, emergency rescue services, ambulance and emergency medical services, state transport oversight bodies, and a number of law enforcement agencies. During a state of emergency, natural or man-made disasters, or martial law, tolls must be waived for all vehicles.

The law also specifies that if the free alternative route becomes unusable, toll collection on the paid route must be suspended until the obstruction is cleared. And if a toll road deteriorates to the point where it can no longer guarantee an adequate level of service or safe high-speed travel, its operation must be partially restricted or suspended.

Transparency required on road repairs and spending

The new law separately establishes a principle of openness and transparency in the road sector. Information on ongoing and planned construction and repair works, contracting parties, spending of allocated funds, changes to the national road network, and temporary traffic restrictions or bans must be published and made accessible to citizens and organizations.

Funds allocated for public roads are earmarked and may not be withdrawn or spent on purposes unrelated to the construction, reconstruction, repair or maintenance of those roads, except as provided by law.

Public input required in road planning

For the first time, the law directly establishes a set of requirements for road-planning activities. Project design must include measures to create a barrier-free environment and prioritize pedestrian safety.

Developers must also plan for modern roadside infrastructure that meets international standards, measures to reduce environmental impact, and consultation with residents of areas where road work is planned.

Design documentation for road construction and reconstruction must undergo state technical review and a road safety audit, while environmental impact assessments must undergo state environmental review. During construction or reconstruction, road authorities are also required to inform users in advance of expected completion dates and detour routes.

Restrictions on construction along roads

The law sets minimum right-of-way widths for public roads: 80 meters for Category I roads, 60 meters for Category II, 40 meters for Categories III and IV, and 25 meters for Category V.

For international and national roads, the roadside buffer zone must be at least 50 meters on each side of the right-of-way boundary; for local roads, at least 25 meters. Construction of buildings and structures within these zones is prohibited, except for roadside infrastructure and service facilities approved by the road's owner.

Authority of government agencies

The law also delineates the responsibilities of government agencies in the road sector.

The Cabinet of Ministers approves road development programs and rules for using toll roads, sets permissible vehicle weight and size limits, and reviews proposals for new toll roads.

The Ministry of Transport determines the long-term development of the road network, prepares public-private partnership programs and projects, establishes international transit corridors, and approves maximum toll rates.

The Road Committee acts as the sole client for the construction, reconstruction and repair of public roads, organizes their maintenance, oversees the quality of work, maintains a road registry, and issues permits for heavy vehicle traffic.

The Transport Oversight Inspectorate monitors compliance with requirements during road construction and repair, enforces vehicle weight and size regulations and toll road operating rules, and issues permits for bringing road facilities into service.

Provincial administrations and local councils are responsible for developing streets in cities and other settlements, approving territorial programs, maintaining street registries, allocating land for road projects, and may propose the construction of toll roads.

The law takes effect on the date of its official publication, though provisions on toll roads will come into force three months after publication. During that period, the Cabinet of Ministers is required to draft and approve rules governing traffic management and toll road services, as well as a methodology for calculating toll rates.

The previous Automobile Roads law, dated October 2, 2007, along with subsequent amendments to it, is repealed.