14.9. Is the driver allowed to overtake at this location?
UAЧи дозволено водієві обгін у цьому місці?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of maneuvering in road sections with increased risk, where a mistake during overtaking can lead to a head-on collision or loss of control near barriers. Such situations are especially typical for engineering structures over obstacles, where the carriageway is often narrowed, and visibility and space for maneuvering are limited. That is why the traffic rules establish separate, stricter restrictions for them.
The question tests Section 14 "Overtaking" and knowledge of the direct prohibition from clause 14.6 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: overtaking is prohibited on bridges, overpasses, and flyovers. In the illustration, the place of movement is identified as a bridge (this also corresponds to the definition of "bridge" in clause 1.10 and the informational sign 5.65.2 "Name of the object," which indicates, among other things, a river). Since "overtaking" according to the Traffic Rules (clause 1.10) involves entering the oncoming lane, it is not allowed to perform it on a bridge, regardless of whether there is road marking or how "free" the oncoming lane appears.
Options suggesting that the maneuver is allowed if there are no oncoming vehicles or if the vehicle ahead has not started overtaking/changing lanes describe typical safe overtaking conditions on regular road sections. However, on a bridge, they do not apply, because in this case, the unconditional prohibition from clause 14.6 (d) applies, which has no exceptions related to traffic intensity or the behavior of other drivers. Therefore, in the theoretical exam, the correct conclusion is the inadmissibility of such a maneuver precisely because of the location where it is performed.
Clause 14.6 (d) (Section 14 “Overtaking”)
Overtaking is prohibited: (d) at the end of an ascent, on bridges, overpasses, flyovers, sharp bends, and other road sections with limited visibility or in conditions of insufficient visibility.
Clause 1.10 (term “Overtaking”)
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Clause 1.10 (term “Bridge”)
Bridge — a structure intended for travel across a river, ravine, or other obstacles, the boundaries of which are the beginning and end of the span structures.
Clause 33.5 — 33 “Road Signs”, 5 “Informational and Direction Signs”, sign 5.65.2 “Name of the Object”
Sign 5.65.2 “Name of the Object” is used to indicate the name of an object other than a populated area (street, river, lake, pass, landmark, etc.).
Thus, the correct answer is “Prohibited.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, movement is taking place on a bridge, and according to clause 14.6 (d), overtaking on bridges is prohibited.
In the image, the driver is moving on an engineering structure over a water obstacle. This can be understood from the informational sign with the name of the object (river) and the characteristic barriers on the sides of the roadway, which are typical for a bridge.
From the point of view of the Traffic Rules, overtaking is passing another vehicle by entering the oncoming traffic lane. That is, to overtake, the driver needs to cross the boundary of their lane and end up in the oncoming lane, even if only for a short time.
Clause 14.6 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly prohibits overtaking on bridges (as well as on overpasses and flyovers). The reason is practical: such sections often have narrowing, limited visibility, and an increased risk of head-on collisions or dangerous maneuvers near the barriers. Therefore, the rules prohibit overtaking on a bridge regardless of the presence or absence of road markings.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," because overtaking on bridges is directly prohibited by clause 14.6 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.