14.42. Is overtaking of individual vehicles moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h allowed at an intersection?
UAЧи дозволено на перехресті обгін поодиноких транспортних засобів, що рухаються із швидкістю менше 30 км/год.?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the understanding of one of the most risky maneuvers in the traffic regulations: overtaking in the area of intersections. An intersection is always associated with crossing trajectories, changes in priority, and the appearance of vehicles from different directions, so any maneuvers involving entering the oncoming lane here significantly increase the danger and the risk of an accident.
In content, it belongs to Section 14 "Overtaking" and is based on the definition from paragraph 1.10: overtaking is passing with entry into the oncoming traffic lane. Then, the direct rule of paragraph 14.6 (a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine applies, which states that overtaking at intersections is prohibited. Importantly, this prohibition applies regardless of which vehicle is ahead and at what speed it is moving, so the reference to "less than 30 km/h" does not create an exception specifically for intersections.
During the theoretical exam, different situations are often confused: exceptions regarding overtaking a single vehicle moving at up to 30 km/h may relate to places where the restriction is connected with signs or markings, but not intersections, which are prohibited by the Rules themselves. Therefore, the option "only mopeds and horse-drawn carts are allowed" is incorrect, as the Traffic Rules do not provide such exceptions at intersections; the correct answer remains the option with a complete prohibition. In practice, this means the maneuver can be planned so that it is completed before the intersection begins, but performing any part of the overtaking already within the intersection is not allowed.
Clause 1.10 (term “Overtaking”)
Overtaking is the passing of one or more vehicles involving entry into the oncoming traffic lane.
Clause 14.6 a) (Section 14 “Overtaking”)
Overtaking is prohibited: a) at intersections.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Prohibited.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking involves entering the oncoming lane, and clause 14.6 a) directly prohibits overtaking at intersections regardless of the speed of the vehicle being overtaken.
To answer this question correctly, you first need to understand what is meant by overtaking. According to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking is passing another vehicle by moving into the oncoming traffic lane. That is, it is not just passing within your own lane, but a maneuver that involves increased risk and requires sufficient visibility and space.
Next, let's refer to Section 14 of the Traffic Rules. In point 14.6, subpoint a, it is clearly stated that overtaking is prohibited at intersections. This prohibition applies regardless of what type of vehicle is ahead and at what speed it is moving.
Sometimes students confuse this rule with exceptions that allow overtaking a single vehicle moving slower than 30 km/h in places where the prohibition is due to signs or road markings. But this does not apply to intersections, because intersections are places where overtaking is prohibited by the Rules themselves, without any exceptions. For example, even if there is a single tractor slowly entering the intersection ahead of you, you are not allowed to move into the oncoming lane to overtake it at the intersection.
At the same time, it is worth remembering a practical point: overtaking may be started before the intersection only if you completely finish the maneuver before entering it. If even part of the overtaking takes place within the intersection, this will be a violation.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since overtaking at an intersection is directly prohibited by point 14.6 a of the Traffic Rules, and this prohibition does not depend on whether a single vehicle ahead is moving at less than 30 km/h.