15.18. What is the minimum distance that must be between a stopped vehicle and the opposite edge of the carriageway for the stop to be made without violating the Traffic Rules?
UAЯка мінімальна відстань має бути між транспортним засобом, що зупинився, і протилежним краєм проїзної частини, щоб зупинка була виконана без порушень Правил дорожнього руху?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safe stopping on narrow sections of the road and preventing obstacles for other road users. The Traffic Rules require leaving a sufficient "driving corridor" so that other vehicles can safely overtake or pass in the opposite direction. In the theoretical exam, such wording checks the driver's ability not just to "stop by the edge," but to assess the actual width of the carriageway and the consequences of their stop.
The question tests knowledge of Section 15 "Stopping and Parking," specifically clause 15.9 (f) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. It directly sets the minimum: if after stopping the distance between the vehicle and the solid marking line, median strip, or the opposite edge of the carriageway is less than 3 meters, such a stop is considered prohibited. That is why the correct standard in this task should not be "approximate," but clearly defined by the Rules.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to comparing them with the standard of 15.9 (f): 1.5 m, 2 m, and 2.75 m are not suitable, as these are less than the established minimum, and therefore stopping in such a case would be a violation. The value of 4 m is itself safer, but it is not the minimum required by the Rules, so as an answer to this exam question it is incorrect. In practice, this means: when planning to stop on the carriageway, the driver must make sure that at least 3 meters remain to the opposite edge (or to the solid/median strip), otherwise an obstacle to traffic and a risk of conflict situations is created.
Clause 15.9 f) (Section 15 "Stopping and Parking")
Stopping is prohibited: "d) in places where the distance between the solid marking line, the dividing strip, or the opposite edge of the carriageway and the stopped vehicle is less than 3 m."
Clause 1.10 (term "Stopping")
"Stopping — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or more if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, or to fulfill the requirements of these Rules."
Clause 1.10 (term "Carriageway")
"Carriageway — an element of the road intended for the movement of non-rail vehicles."
Clause 1.10 (term "Dividing strip")
"Dividing strip — an element of a road, structurally separated or marked by a solid road marking line, which separates adjacent carriageways."
Thus, the correct answer is "3 m.", considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, stopping is prohibited if the distance from the stopped vehicle to the opposite edge of the carriageway (or to the solid line/dividing strip) is less than 3 meters.
When a driver plans to stop on the carriageway, it is important to assess whether their vehicle will obstruct the movement of other vehicles. That is why the Traffic Rules establish a minimum "driving corridor" that must remain for safe overtaking or oncoming passage.
Clause 15.9 (f) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine explicitly states that stopping is prohibited in such a place where, after stopping, the distance between the vehicle and the solid marking line, the dividing strip, or the opposite edge of the carriageway is less than 3 meters. That is, the Rules require not just to "not obstruct," but to leave a specific minimum distance.
How this works in practice: if the road is narrow and you stop near the right edge, you need to mentally (or by using landmarks) make sure that there is at least 3 meters from your vehicle to the opposite edge of the carriageway. If there is 2.8 m or 2.5 m left, such a stop will already be considered a violation, because other road users are not guaranteed enough space to pass.
Therefore, the correct answer is "3 m.", since stopping is allowed only when there is at least 3 meters between the stopped vehicle and the opposite edge of the carriageway.