Albanian road code Article 174: driving on motorways and main interurban roads
Article 174 of the Albanian Road Code sets out what is forbidden on motorways and main interurban roads, what to do if you have to stop, and the fines for breaking these rules.
Updated:
What is forbidden on carriageways, ramps and interchanges (paragraph 1)
The article also restricts lanes for heavy lorries and long vehicles (paragraph 9).
- turning around or crossing the central reservation, even where there is none, and driving against the permitted direction (paragraph 1(a));
- reversing, including on the emergency lanes, except for manoeuvres needed in service or parking areas (paragraph 1(b));
- driving on the emergency lane, except when stopping or setting off again (paragraph 1(c));
- driving on acceleration or deceleration lanes, except when joining or leaving the carriageway (paragraph 1(d)).
Joining, leaving and emergency stops
Join via the acceleration lane, giving way to traffic already in the running lane; to exit, move straight into the right lane and the deceleration lane, signalling immediately (paragraph 2).
Stopping on carriageways, ramps and interchanges is forbidden except in emergencies caused by a person's poor health or a vehicle fault; the car must then be moved as soon as possible to the emergency lane or, if there is none, to the first lay-by in the direction of travel (paragraph 5). Such a stop may not last more than 3 hours (paragraph 6). If the car cannot be moved, place the warning sign at least 100 metres behind it (paragraph 8).
Fines under Article 174
Amounts are taken from the published Code text. Check the exact amount due in the official payment channel before paying.
- paragraph 1(a): 5,000 to 20,000 lek (paragraph 19) and licence suspension for 12 to 24 months (paragraph 22);
- paragraph 1(b), (c), (d) and paragraphs 2, 6 and 7: 2,500 to 10,000 lek (paragraph 20); for 1(c) and 1(d) also licence suspension for 6 to 12 months (paragraph 22);
- passing a toll station without stopping and causing danger, or avoiding the toll: 2,500 to 10,000 lek (paragraph 17);
- driving on the motorway with a vehicle that is not up to date with the inspection under article 79, or has not passed it: 1,000 to 4,000 lek, and the vehicle is administratively detained (paragraph 18);
- any other breach of this article: 500 to 2,000 lek (paragraph 21).
Fines under this article
| 174 §17 | 2,500 ALL to 10,000 ALLText of the Code (Albanian)Cilido që kalon pa ndaluar në stacione, duke shkaktuar rrezik për qarkullimin, si dhe për sigurimin individual e kolektiv, ose vë në zbatim çfarëdo akti për të shmangur plotësisht ose pjesërisht pagimin e taksës, ndëshkohet me masë administrative me gjobë dy mijë e pesëqind deri dhjetë mijë lekë. |
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| 174 §18 | 1,000 ALL to 4,000 ALL In addition: Gjithmonë vendoset ndalimi administrativ i mjetit që do t’i kthehet drejtuesit, pronar ose mbajtës i ligjshëm, ose personit të deleguar nga pronari, vetëm pas prenotimit për kontrollin e këtij mjeti. Text of the Code (Albanian)Në të njëjtën mënyrë drejtuesi që qarkullon në autostradë me mjet që nuk është në rregull me kontrollin e parashikuar në nenin 79, ose që nuk e ka kaluar atë pozitivisht, ndëshkohet me masë administrative me gjobë nga një mijë deri në katër mijë lekë. |
| 174 §19 | 5,000 ALL to 20,000 ALL In addition: Nga evidencimi i shkeljes së ndalimit sipas pikës 1, shkronja “a”, merret edhe masa administrative plotësuese e pezullimit të lejedrejtimit për një periudhë nga 12 në 24 muaj. Text of the Code (Albanian)Cilido që shkel dispozitat e pikës 1, shkronja “a”, kur akti është kryer në karrexhatë, në rampë ose në kalimet në disnivel, dënohet me gjobë nga pesë mijë deri në njëzet mijë lekë. |
| 174 §20 | 2,500 ALL to 10,000 ALL In addition: Në rastin e shkeljeve të dispozitave të pikës 1, shkronjat “c” dhe “d” përveç masës administrative me gjobë, merret edhe masa administrative plotësuese e pezullimit të lejedrejtimit për një periudhë nga 6 në 12 muaj. Text of the Code (Albanian)Cilido që shkel dispozitat e pikës 1, shkronja “b”, “c” dhe “d” dhe të pikave 2, 6 dhe 7, ndëshkohet me masë administrative me gjobë nga dy mijë e pesëqind deri në dhjetë mijë lekë. |
| 174 §21 | 500 ALL to 2,000 ALLText of the Code (Albanian)Cilido që shkel dispozitat e tjera të këtij neni, ndëshkohet me masë administrative me gjobë nga pesëqind deri në dy mijë lekë. |
Source
Consolidated text of the Albanian Road Code (Law 8378/1998 as amended up to Law 58/2026), p. 114–116. Reference information, not legal advice.
The place, article and other details of a specific fine are available in the Telegram bot.
Other articles
- What the article on an Albanian traffic fine means
- Albanian Road Code Article 140: speed limits and speeding fines
- Albanian Road Code Article 146: overtaking rules and fines
- Albanian Road Code Article 147: safe following distance and tailgating fines
- No stopping and no parking: Albanian Road Code Article 156
- Where to pay a fine
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive on the hard shoulder on an Albanian motorway?
Generally no: paragraph 1(c) forbids it except when stopping or setting off. In a jam, paragraph 4 allows it only to leave the motorway, from the exit warning sign 500 metres before the interchange.
What is the fine for a U-turn on an Albanian motorway?
Paragraph 19 sets 5,000 to 20,000 lek, and paragraph 22 adds a licence suspension of 12 to 24 months.
How do I read the code 174 §20 on a fine?
It means article 174, paragraph 20. You can check active unpaid fines for a plate for free on the Gjoba Alert home page. This page is reference information, not legal advice, and the Code may change.