13.4. May the driver of the blue vehicle continue driving without waiting for the red vehicle to pass, if the obstruction is on his side?
UAЧи може водій синього автомобіля продовжити рух, не чекаючи проїзду червоного автомобіля, якщо перешкода на його боці?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about safe passing on a narrow section of road when movement is complicated by an obstacle. Such situations often occur near parked cars, construction zones, or road narrowings, and the correct order of passing directly affects road safety and the prevention of head-on collisions.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding maneuvering and oncoming passing, specifically the requirements of paragraph 13.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. According to this rule, if oncoming passing is difficult, the driver whose lane has the obstacle (or whose vehicle's dimensions hinder passage) is required to yield to the oncoming vehicle. Since the obstacle is on the side of the blue car, it must yield to the oncoming vehicle and only then drive around the obstacle; the special rule for uphill/downhill applies only if the relevant signs are present, and here it concerns a flat section.
In the option where driving first is allowed, the basic principle of "whoever has the obstacle yields" is ignored, which would force the oncoming car to brake or change its trajectory. The correct answer corresponds to the definition of "yield" and the logic of the theoretical exam: the driver must not continue driving if this would force another road user to change speed or direction. In practice, this means slowing down in advance, assessing the distance, and letting the oncoming car pass, after which the maneuver can be safely completed.
Clause 13.4
If passing oncoming vehicles is difficult, the driver whose lane has an obstacle or whose vehicle's dimensions hinder oncoming traffic must yield. On road sections marked with signs 1.6 "Steep Ascent" and 1.7 "Steep Descent", if there is an obstacle, the driver of the vehicle moving downhill must yield.
Application to the situation: since the obstacle is in the lane of the blue car and this makes oncoming passing difficult, the blue car is required to yield to the oncoming (red) car.
Clause 1.10 (term "Obstacle to traffic")
Obstacle to traffic — a stationary object within the lane of the vehicle or an object moving in the same direction within this lane (except for a vehicle moving against the general flow of traffic) that forces the driver to maneuver or reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle.
Application to the situation: the object in the lane of the blue car is an "obstacle to traffic" as defined by the Traffic Rules, so the blue driver falls under the requirement of clause 13.4.
Clause 1.10 (term "Yield (do not create an obstacle)")
Yield (do not create an obstacle) — a requirement for a road user not to continue or resume movement, nor to perform any maneuver, if this may force other road users who have the right of way to change direction or speed.
Application to the situation: "yield" means that the blue car does not have the right to continue moving in a way that would force the oncoming (red) car to change speed/direction or stop.
Clause 33.1.6 — 33 "Road signs", 1 "Warning signs", sign 1.6 "Steep Ascent"
Warns of approaching a section of road with a steep ascent.
Clause 33.1.7 — 33 "Road signs", 1 "Warning signs", sign 1.7 "Steep Descent"
Warns of approaching a section of road with a steep descent.
Application to the situation: these signs are mentioned in clause 13.4 for a special rule on ascents/descents; in this question (flat section), the general rule applies — "whoever has the obstacle must yield."
That is, the correct answer is "Cannot, the blue car must yield," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the obstacle is in the lane of the blue car, and according to clause 13.4, the driver on whose side the obstacle is must yield when oncoming passing is difficult.
In this situation, two vehicles are approaching each other on a narrow section of the road where passing is difficult. To safely pass, one of the drivers will have to reduce speed or stop and yield to the oncoming vehicle.
The key concept here is the obstacle to movement: this is a stationary object within the lane that forces the driver to maneuver or slow down up to a complete stop. In the diagram, the obstacle is located precisely in the lane of the blue car, meaning it prevents the blue car from continuing straight in its lane.
According to paragraph 13.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, if passing oncoming traffic is difficult, the driver whose lane is clear has the right of way, and the driver on whose side the obstacle is located (or whose vehicle's dimensions hinder passing) must yield. Since neither an ascent nor descent is specified in the question, the general rule applies: “whoever has the obstacle must yield.”
Therefore, the blue car does not have the right to proceed first: it must wait, allow the red car to pass, and only then go around the obstacle and continue driving.
Thus, the correct answer is "Cannot, the blue car must yield," because the obstacle is in its lane, and according to paragraph 13.4 of the Traffic Rules, it is required to yield to the oncoming vehicle in such a case.