14.19. Is the driver of the yellow vehicle allowed to overtake the blue vehicle as shown in the illustration?
UAЧи дозволено водієві жовтого автомобіля виконати обгін синього так, як показано на малюнку?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about maneuvering safety in high-risk areas, particularly when approaching a railway crossing. It tests the driver's ability to assess the traffic situation not only by road markings and oncoming traffic, but also by warning signs, since it is precisely before crossings that any risky maneuvers can lead to critical consequences. Such tasks often appear on the theoretical exam because they show whether the candidate understands the logic behind restrictions in the traffic rules.
In essence, this checks Section 14 "Overtaking" and the application of clause 14.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules: overtaking is prohibited at railway crossings and within 100 meters before them. The maneuver shown in the diagram is indeed overtaking as defined in clause 1.10 (passing with entry into the oncoming lane), and the presence of warning signs indicating approach to the crossing (in particular 1.28 and 1.31.1–1.31.6) suggests that the vehicles are already in the approach zone, where it is neither safe nor legal to perform the maneuver "as shown," since it would have to be carried out or completed too close to the crossing.
Explanation of the answer options is crucial here: the statement about permission "in any case" does not apply, because clause 14.6 (b) establishes a direct prohibition regardless of visibility or the absence of a train. Likewise, the condition of the blue car moving slowly does not cancel the prohibition: the speed of the vehicle ahead does not give the right to violate the restriction before a railway crossing. Therefore, the correct conclusion remains that the maneuver is not allowed in this situation, and this is exactly what needs to be remembered for successfully passing the theoretical exam and for real road safety.
Clause 14.6 b) (Section 14 “Overtaking”)
Overtaking is prohibited: b) at railway crossings and less than 100 m before them.
In this situation, the yellow car is performing (or will inevitably complete) overtaking in the area approaching the railway crossing, that is, less than 100 m before it, therefore the maneuver is prohibited.
Clause 1.10 (term “Overtaking”)
Overtaking is passing one or more vehicles involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
The maneuver shown by the yellow car (entering the oncoming lane to pass the blue car) is exactly overtaking, so the prohibition from clause 14.6 b) directly applies to it.
Clause 33.1.28 — 33 “Road Signs”, 1 “Warning Signs”, sign 1.28 “Railway Crossing Without a Barrier”
Sign 1.28 “Railway Crossing Without a Barrier” is installed outside populated areas at a distance of 150–300 m, in populated areas — at a distance of 50–100 m before the start of the hazardous section. If necessary, the sign can be installed at another distance, which is indicated on plate 7.1.1 “Distance to the Object”. Outside populated areas, the sign is repeated. The next sign is installed at a distance of at least 50 m before the start of the hazardous section.
The presence of this sign confirms that there is a railway crossing ahead, and therefore the prohibition on overtaking less than 100 m before it applies (clause 14.6 b).
Clause 33.1.31.1–33.1.31.6 — 33 “Road Signs”, 1 “Warning Signs”, signs 1.31.1–1.31.6 “Approaching a Railway Crossing”
Signs 1.31.3, 1.31.6 “Approaching a Railway Crossing” additionally warn about approaching a railway crossing outside populated areas and are installed as the second sign in the direction of travel (after sign 1.27 or 1.28) at a distance of 50 m before the start of the hazardous section.
These signs are used to warn about the proximity of the crossing (outside populated areas) and indicate that vehicles are in a zone where overtaking (as shown in the diagram) will be performed/completed less than 100 m before the crossing, which is prohibited by clause 14.6 b).
Thus, the correct answer is “Prohibited.”, considering that by the definition of the Traffic Rules this is overtaking (clause 1.10), and overtaking at railway crossings and less than 100 m before them is directly prohibited (clause 14.6 b).
Let's start with the fact that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking is passing another vehicle by moving into the oncoming traffic lane. In the diagram, the yellow car intends to do exactly that: move into the oncoming lane, overtake the blue car, and return to its own lane.
Next, it is important to assess the location of the maneuver. The image shows an approach to a railway crossing, as indicated by the relevant road signs. Such signs are placed in advance so that the driver understands that there is a high-risk area ahead, where maneuvers involving entry into the oncoming lane are especially dangerous.
According to clause 14.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, overtaking is prohibited at railway crossings and within 100 meters before them. This means it is not enough to simply “manage” to overtake: the maneuver cannot even be started if it will take place within this 100-meter zone, or if the completion of the overtaking will be too close to the crossing.
In the situation shown, the positions of the vehicles and the warning signs indicate that the vehicles are already within the approach zone to the crossing, where less than 100 meters or about that distance remains. Therefore, performing the overtaking “as shown” means carrying out the maneuver in the prohibited zone before the railway crossing, which directly contradicts the requirements of clause 14.6 (b).
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since overtaking within 100 meters before a railway crossing is prohibited by clause 14.6 (b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, and in the diagram the maneuver is performed precisely in this zone.