14.33. On roads with what minimum number of lanes for traffic in one direction is overtaking prohibited?
UAНа дорогах з якою мінімальною кількістю смуг для руху в одному напрямку заборонений обгін?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the understanding of safe maneuvering in traffic flow and the ability to distinguish between overtaking and passing. For road safety, it is important to remember that overtaking, as defined by the traffic rules, involves entering the oncoming lane, whereas passing is performed within your direction on an adjacent lane without entering the oncoming lane.
The question belongs to Section 14 "Overtaking" and directly refers to clause 14.6 (g) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: overtaking is prohibited on roads that have two or more lanes in one direction. The logic of the prohibition is simple and practical: if there are already at least two lanes organized in one direction, the driver can more safely pass slower vehicles by passing, without creating risk by entering the oncoming flow. This principle is often tested in the theoretical exam.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to understanding the "minimum threshold" at which the prohibition begins to apply. The option "One or more" is incorrect because if there is only one lane in your direction, overtaking as a maneuver involving entry into the oncoming lane may be allowed (in the absence of other prohibitions). "Two or more" corresponds to clause 14.6 (g) and is correct. "Three or more" and "Four or more" are incorrect, since the prohibition already applies from two lanes in one direction, regardless of the total number of lanes on the road.
Clause 14.6 g) (Section 14 "Overtaking")
Overtaking is prohibited: … e) on roads that have two or more lanes for traffic in one direction.
Brief application: if at least two lanes are organized in one direction, performing overtaking (as a maneuver involving entering the oncoming lane) is directly prohibited by the Traffic Rules; instead, passing is allowed within your direction in adjacent lanes.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles involving entering the oncoming lane.
Clause 1.10 (term "Passing")
Passing — the movement of a vehicle at a speed exceeding the speed of a vehicle moving in the same direction in an adjacent lane.
Clause 1.10 (term "Traffic lane")
Traffic lane — a longitudinal strip on the carriageway, marked or unmarked by road markings, and sufficient for non-rail vehicles to move in a single row.
That is, the correct answer is "Two or more," given that according to Clause 14.6 g) overtaking is prohibited on roads that have two or more lanes for traffic in one direction (and overtaking by definition is passing with entering the oncoming lane).
To answer this question correctly, it is first important to distinguish between overtaking and passing. Overtaking in the Traffic Rules is passing that necessarily involves entering the oncoming traffic lane. Passing, on the other hand, is when you move faster than the vehicle ahead by moving into the adjacent lane in the same direction, without entering the oncoming lane.
Next, we apply clause 14.6 (g) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. It directly states that overtaking is prohibited on roads that have two or more lanes for movement in one direction. The logic here is simple: if there are at least two lanes in one direction, the driver has the opportunity to safely perform passing—by changing to the adjacent lane in their direction, without creating the risk of entering oncoming traffic.
Imagine a road where there are two lanes in your direction. A slow vehicle is driving on the right, and you can move to the left lane and pass it faster—this will be considered passing. Overtaking in the classic sense (with entering the oncoming lane) is not allowed on such roads, and that is why the prohibition is established in the rules.
An important point: the question asks about the minimum number of lanes in one direction from which the prohibition applies. This means that even two lanes in your direction (regardless of how many lanes are in the opposite direction) are enough—and overtaking is prohibited according to clause 14.6 (g).
Therefore, the correct answer is "Two or more," since according to clause 14.6 (g) of the Traffic Rules, overtaking is prohibited on roads where there are at least two lanes in one direction, and instead of overtaking, you should perform passing without entering the oncoming lane.