13.2. Which vehicle driver has the right of way at this section of the road?
UAВодій якого автомобіля має перевагу на цій ділянці дороги?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe passing of oncoming vehicles on narrow sections of the road when a lane is partially blocked by an obstacle. In real traffic, such situations often arise due to roadworks, parked cars, or a narrowing of the carriageway, and correctly determining the priority of movement affects safety and helps prevent head-on collisions.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding maneuvering and passing, specifically the application of clause 13.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: if oncoming passing is difficult, the driver who has an obstacle in their lane or whose vehicle dimensions hinder passing must yield. In the given situation, the obstacle is located in the lane of one of the vehicles, so that driver must ensure the oncoming vehicle can pass first, without forcing it to change speed or direction (as defined by the term "yield" in clause 1.10).
The analysis of the options in this theoretical exam is straightforward: if we assume that the vehicle with the obstacle in its lane has the priority, this contradicts clause 13.4, because to go around the obstacle, it would have to occupy part of the oncoming lane. Meanwhile, the second vehicle is moving in its lane without obstacles, so it has the right to pass first. It is important not to confuse this rule with the priority on ascents/descents: that applies only when warning signs 1.6 or 1.7 are present; without them, the general rule applies: "if the obstacle is in your lane, you must yield."
Clause 13.4
"If passing oncoming traffic is difficult, the driver whose lane has an obstacle, or whose vehicle's dimensions impede oncoming traffic, must yield. On road sections marked with signs 1.6 'Steep descent' and 1.7 'Steep ascent', in the presence of an obstacle, the driver of the vehicle moving downhill must yield."
In this situation, the obstacle is located in the lane of the red car, there are no priority control devices, and therefore, according to the general rule of this clause, the driver whose lane has the obstacle (the red car) must yield, and the oncoming (blue) car has the right of way.
Clause 1.10 (the term 'Yield (do not create an obstacle)')
"Yield (do not create an obstacle) — a requirement for a road user not to start, resume, or continue movement, or perform any maneuvers, if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change their direction or speed."
This term explains that 'yield' in the context of difficult oncoming passing means ensuring the blue car can pass first without being forced to change its speed or direction.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The blue car," since according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, when passing oncoming traffic is difficult, the driver whose lane has the obstacle is obliged to yield to the oncoming vehicle.
The image shows two cars moving towards each other on a narrow section of the road. There is an obstacle (excavation) in the lane of the red car, which prevents it from continuing straight in its lane and will force it to maneuver around the obstacle, partially entering the oncoming lane. There are no traffic control devices or signs that determine the order of passage.
In such a situation, paragraph 13.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine applies: if passing oncoming vehicles is difficult, the driver whose lane contains the obstacle or whose vehicle dimensions hinder passing must yield. In other words, the logic is simple: the one who needs to 'occupy' part of the oncoming lane to pass must first let the oncoming vehicle go and only then maneuver around the obstacle.
It is also important not to be misled by the perspective of the illustration: the rule about priority on steep ascents/descents applies only to sections marked with the appropriate warning signs. Since there are no such signs, we consider this a regular (flat) section, and the general rule 'obstacle in your lane — you yield' applies.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The blue car.", since the obstacle is located in the lane of the red car, and according to paragraph 13.4 of the Traffic Rules, in the event of a difficult oncoming passage, the driver whose lane has the obstacle must yield.