13.3. Which driver must yield during an oncoming passing on this section?
UAВодій якого транспортного засобу повинен дати дорогу під час зустрічного роз'їзду на цій ділянці?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning safe meeting and passing on a narrow section of road, where movement is complicated by an obstacle and a longitudinal slope (ascent/descent). Such situations are typical for mountain roads and rural routes: correctly determining the order of passage reduces the risk of collisions, sudden braking, and forced maneuvers on a limited roadway width.
The task tests knowledge of the section of the traffic rules on maneuvering and meeting traffic, in particular the application of clause 13.4 of the PDR of Ukraine in combination with warning signs 1.6 "Steep ascent" and 1.7 "Steep descent." The key idea: as a general rule, priority is often given to the one who does not have an obstacle, but on sections marked with steep ascent/descent signs, a special rule applies — in case of a difficult meeting due to an obstacle, the vehicle moving downhill must yield. This is the logic tested by the theoretical exam.
The analysis of the answer options shows a typical pitfall for students. The statement about the priority of the car on whose side there is no obstacle seems logical, but it does not take into account the special rule for slopes: even if the obstacle is in the lane of the other car, the driver going downhill is obliged to yield so as not to force the oncoming vehicle to stop on the ascent. This knowledge is important not only for passing the exam question, but also for real-life practice: it is harder to resume movement after stopping on an ascent, whereas on a descent it is usually easier to brake and safely let the other vehicle pass.
Clause 13.4
"If passing oncoming traffic is difficult, the driver whose lane has the obstacle must yield. On road sections marked with signs 1.6 'Steep Ascent' and 1.7 'Steep Descent', in the presence of an obstacle, the driver of the vehicle moving downhill must yield."
Brief application: on a section marked with steep ascent/descent signs, if there is an obstacle, priority is given to the vehicle moving uphill; accordingly, the one moving downhill is obliged to yield.
Clause 1.10 (term 'Yield (Do not create an obstruction)')
"Yield (Do not create an obstruction) — a requirement for a road user not to resume or continue movement, nor to perform any maneuver, if this may force other road users who have priority to change direction or speed."
Brief application: in this situation, the driver who 'yields' must refrain from continuing to move so as not to force the oncoming vehicle to change speed or direction.
Clause 1.10 (term 'Obstacle to movement')
"Obstacle to movement — a stationary object within the lane of the vehicle (except for a vehicle stopped in accordance with these Rules), which makes movement in this lane impossible."
Brief application: it is precisely the presence of an obstacle that complicates oncoming passing and is the condition for applying the rule from clause 13.4.
Clause 33.1 — 33 'Road Signs', 1 'Warning Signs', sign 1.6 'Steep Ascent'
"1.6 'Steep Ascent'".
Brief application: indicates a section of steep ascent (together with 1.7 determines that the road has a significant longitudinal slope, and for passing, the special rule of clause 13.4 applies).
Clause 33.1 — 33 'Road Signs', 1 'Warning Signs', sign 1.7 'Steep Descent'
"1.7 'Steep Descent'".
Brief application: indicates a section of steep descent; together with clause 13.4, it determines that in the presence of an obstacle, the vehicle moving downhill must yield.
That is, the correct answer is "The driver of the white vehicle, because he is moving downhill," given that according to the Traffic Rules, on sections marked with signs 1.6 and 1.7, in the presence of an obstacle during difficult oncoming passing, the driver of the vehicle moving downhill must yield.
On this section of the road, meeting traffic is complicated because one of the vehicle's lanes is partially blocked by an obstacle. In such situations, drivers must determine who should yield in order to pass each other safely.
According to the general rule, when meeting traffic is difficult, priority is usually given to the driver whose lane is free of obstacles, and the driver facing the obstacle must yield. However, the Traffic Rules contain a special clarification for sections with a steep ascent or descent, marked by the appropriate warning signs.
According to paragraph 13.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, on sections marked with signs 1.6 "Steep ascent" and 1.7 "Steep descent," if it is difficult to pass due to an obstacle, the driver of the vehicle moving downhill must yield. The logic of this rule is practical: it is much harder for a vehicle climbing uphill to resume movement after stopping on an incline than it is for a vehicle descending, which can more safely slow down and let the other pass.
The image shows that the white car is moving downhill (i.e., down the slope), while the blue car is moving uphill. Therefore, despite the obstacle being in the lane of the blue car, priority in this specific situation is given to the one moving uphill.
Thus, the correct answer is "The driver of the white car, because he is moving downhill," since according to paragraph 13.4 of the Traffic Rules, on a section with steep ascent/descent signs, when passing is difficult due to an obstacle, the driver moving downhill is required to yield.