14.4. May the driver overtake after passing these signs?
UAЧи може водій виконати обгін після проїзду цих знаків?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during dangerous maneuvers and approaching a railway crossing. Overtaking is one of the riskiest maneuvers, so the traffic rules clearly define where it is prohibited in order to avoid head-on collisions and critical situations near the tracks.
The question tests knowledge of Section 14 "Overtaking" (specifically clause 14.6 b) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine) in combination with an understanding of warning road signs from the "Road Signs" section (1.28 and approach signs 1.31.1/1.31.4). These signs only warn that there is a crossing ahead (usually 150–300 m outside a populated area), but by themselves do not introduce a separate prohibition on overtaking. The key rule here is different: overtaking is prohibited on the crossing and less than 100 m before it, so the maneuver is only possible if the driver can definitely return to their lane at least 100 m before the tracks.
In the answer options, the mistake "not allowed at all" arises from confusing a warning with a prohibition sign: after such signs, overtaking does not automatically become prohibited; the prohibited area is the 100-meter zone before the crossing. The option "allowed in any case" is also incorrect, as it directly contradicts clause 14.6 b). That is why it is important to remember the practical algorithm for the theoretical exam: if you see a warning about a crossing, assess the distance and visibility, and if you are not sure you will complete the overtaking maneuver in time, you should refrain from it.
Clause 14.6 b) (Section 14 "Overtaking")
Overtaking is prohibited: b) at railway crossings and closer than 100 m before them.
Application: after passing the warning signs, overtaking is allowed only if the driver completes it (returns to their lane) no closer than 100 m before the railway crossing.
Clause 33.1 — 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 may 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.
Application: the sign only warns about the crossing (does not independently prohibit overtaking), but indicates that there is a limited distance to the crossing ahead, so the prohibition from clause 14.6 b) must be taken into account.
Clause 33.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 1 "Warning Signs", sign 1.31.1 "Approaching a railway crossing" (main)
Sign 1.31.1 "Approaching a railway crossing" (main) additionally warns about approaching a railway crossing outside populated areas and is installed with the first (main) sign in the direction of travel: sign 1.27 "Railway crossing with a barrier" or 1.28 "Railway crossing without a barrier" at a distance of 150–300 m before the start of the hazardous section.
Application: confirms that the driver is on a section 150–300 m before the crossing, meaning overtaking can still be started, but it must be completed before the "100 m to the crossing" limit (clause 14.6 b)).
Clause 33.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 1 "Warning Signs", sign 1.31.4 "Approaching a railway crossing" (duplicating)
Sign 1.31.4 "Approaching a railway crossing" (duplicating) additionally warns about approaching a railway crossing outside populated areas and is installed on the left side of the carriageway with the first (duplicating) sign 1.27 "Railway crossing with a barrier" or 1.28 "Railway crossing without a barrier" at a distance of 150–300 m before the start of the hazardous section.
Application: duplicates the warning on the left, again does not itself prohibit overtaking, but indicates the approach to a crossing where the prohibition from clause 14.6 b) applies.
Clause 33.7 — 33 "Road Signs", 7 "Plates to road signs", plate 7.1.1 "Distance to the object"
Plate 7.1.1 "Distance to the object" — indicates the distance from the sign to the start of the hazardous section, the place where the relevant restriction is introduced, or to a certain object (place) located ahead in the direction of travel.
Application: if warning signs are installed at a "different distance", this must be indicated by 7.1.1; in any case, overtaking is not allowed closer than 100 m to the crossing (clause 14.6 b)).
Thus, the correct answer is "Allowed provided that overtaking is completed 100 m before the crossing.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, overtaking is prohibited at railway crossings and closer than 100 m before them, and the signs shown only warn about approaching such a crossing.
After passing these warning signs, the driver understands the main point: there is a railway crossing ahead outside a populated area, which means there is still some distance to it. Such signs are installed in advance so that the driver has time to assess the situation and prepare for the dangerous section.
It is important to apply the direct rule of the Traffic Code. According to paragraph 14.6 (b), overtaking is prohibited at railway crossings and within 100 meters before them. That is, the prohibition starts not from the sign, but from a specific distance to the crossing: the last 100 meters before it are the "zone where overtaking is already not allowed."
Since the signs warn about the crossing in advance (approximately 150–300 m), the very fact of passing them does not yet mean that the driver is already in the prohibited 100-meter zone. Therefore, overtaking is theoretically possible, but only if the driver manages to fully complete the maneuver before less than 100 meters remain to the crossing. For example, if the crossing is about 200 meters away, the driver can start overtaking, but must return to their lane no later than 100 meters before the tracks; if the crossing is closer and this cannot be guaranteed, overtaking should be avoided.
Thus, the correct answer is "May do so provided overtaking is completed at least 100 m before the crossing," since overtaking is prohibited closer than 100 m before a railway crossing (p. 14.6 b), and the warning signs themselves do not prohibit overtaking, they only indicate the approach to the crossing.