15.11. Is it permitted to stop at this location for passenger boarding?
UAЧи дозволено зупинитися в цьому місці для посадки пасажирів?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in areas with limited space and visibility. Tunnels are considered engineering structures where any stop sharply increases the risk of collision: drivers behind have more difficulty seeing an obstacle in advance, and the possibilities for bypassing or maneuvering are limited. That is why the traffic rules establish separate, stricter restrictions for such sections.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding stopping and parking, specifically clause 15.9 (c), which directly prohibits stopping in tunnels. It is also important to understand the definition of the term "stop" from clause 1.10: stopping to pick up or drop off passengers is considered a full stop, even if it is "for a minute." Therefore, the option "allowed" contradicts the direct prohibition, and the option "allowed only during daylight hours" has no basis in the Traffic Rules, since the prohibition in a tunnel applies regardless of the time of day or lighting.
The practical conclusion for both the theoretical exam and real driving is simple: if you need to pick up or drop off passengers, you should continue driving and find a safe place outside the tunnel. An exception is possible only for a forced stop (definition in clause 1.10) due to a malfunction, obstacle, or other circumstances that make further movement impossible, but picking up passengers does not belong to such reasons.
Clause 15.9 (c)
Stopping is prohibited: … v) in tunnels.
Clause 1.10 (term “Stopping”)
Stopping — the cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or more if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo.
Clause 1.10 (term “Forced stop”)
Forced stop — the cessation of movement of a vehicle due to its technical condition, danger created by the cargo, the condition of the driver (passenger), the appearance of an obstacle on the road, and other reasons that make further movement impossible.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, stopping for passenger boarding is considered a “stop”, and according to clause 15.9 (c), stopping in tunnels is prohibited (an exception is possible only for a “forced stop”).
The image shows a vehicle stopping within a tunnel. A tunnel is considered an engineering structure where space is limited, visibility and maneuvering are complicated, and any stop creates increased danger for drivers moving behind.
According to clause 15.9 (c) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, stopping vehicles in tunnels is prohibited. This rule applies regardless of the reason for an "ordinary" stop: whether it is for picking up/dropping off passengers or a brief stop "for a minute." In such places, the driver must continue driving and, if necessary, find a safe place to stop outside the tunnel.
An exception is possible only when the stop is forced, for example, due to a technical malfunction or another circumstance that does not allow further movement. Picking up passengers does not qualify as a forced stop.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since stopping in a tunnel is directly prohibited by clause 15.9 (c) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine and is not considered a forced stop when picking up passengers.