15.27. Is it permitted to stop vehicles opposite each other, as shown in the illustration?
UAЧи дозволена зупинка транспортних засобів один навпроти одного, як показано на малюнку?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning the safe organization of traffic during a short-term stop and the assessment of whether a vehicle creates an obstacle for other road users. In the theoretical exam, such situations test the driver's ability to anticipate the consequences of their stop: whether passage will remain possible, or whether the stop will effectively "block" the road and provoke a traffic jam or dangerous bypass maneuvers.
The question checks the section of the Traffic Rules regarding stopping and parking, specifically clause 15.9 (i), which directly states that stopping is prohibited in places where oncoming passage or bypassing of the stopped vehicle becomes impossible. Thus, the important factor is not the mere fact of stopping "opposite each other," but the actual width of the carriageway and the availability of space for safe passing or bypassing. Additionally, it is worth remembering the definition of the term "stop" from clause 1.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, since exam tasks assess compliance with the conditions under which stopping is allowed or prohibited.
The explanation of the options here boils down to the key criterion from clause 15.9 (i). The statement about an unconditional prohibition is incorrect, because the traffic rules prohibit such a stop only when it makes passing or bypassing impossible. Instead, the correct approach is: stopping is allowed if other vehicles can pass without blocking traffic; in similar scenarios, this is usually confirmed by sufficient lane width and the fact that marking 1.5 (broken line) allows crossing for bypassing if necessary, without violating the marking requirements.
Clause 15.9 (i) (stopping is prohibited)
“Stopping is prohibited: … (g) in places where it would make oncoming passing or bypassing of a stopped vehicle impossible.”
Brief application: stopping two vehicles “opposite each other” is allowed only if they do not create such an obstruction that oncoming passing or bypassing becomes impossible.
Clause 1.10 (term “Stopping”)
“Stopping — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or longer, if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, fulfilling the requirements of these Rules (yielding, obeying the instructions of a traffic controller, traffic signals, etc.).”
Brief application: the question concerns “stopping” as defined by the Traffic Rules, not parking or forced stop, so compliance is evaluated according to the conditions under which stopping is prohibited (specifically under clause 15.9 (i)).
Clause 34.1 — 34 “Road Markings”, 1 “Horizontal Markings”, marking 1.5
“1.5 (broken line) — separates traffic flows of opposite directions on roads with two or three lanes, and also marks lane boundaries; crossing is allowed from either side.”
Brief application: such marking confirms that separation of flows and maneuvering (if bypassing is needed) are not prohibited by the marking itself; the key criterion remains whether oncoming passing or bypassing is “possible/impossible” according to clause 15.9 (i).
Thus, the correct answer is: “Allowed, if oncoming passing or bypassing of the stopped vehicles is possible,” considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, stopping is prohibited only when oncoming passing or bypassing becomes impossible due to the stopped vehicle (clause 15.9 (i)).
This question does not check the mere fact that two cars have stopped opposite each other, but rather the consequence of such a stop for the movement of other road users. According to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a stop is the cessation of movement for a short time (up to 5 minutes or longer if necessary, for example, for passenger boarding/alighting or loading).
Next, we assess whether such a stop falls under any prohibitions. Clause 15.9 (i) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine prohibits stopping in places where, due to the stopped vehicle, oncoming passing or overtaking becomes impossible. That is, the key condition is whether there is enough space left for oncoming vehicles to pass each other or bypass the obstacle without blocking traffic.
In the illustration, the carriageway appears wide enough, and the vehicles have stopped in such a way that there is space left between them for passage. In addition, road marking 1.5 separates traffic flows in opposite directions and it is permitted to cross it from either side, so if necessary, a driver can bypass without violating the marking requirements.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Permitted, if oncoming passing or bypassing of the stopped vehicles is possible," since according to clause 15.9 (i), stopping is prohibited only when it makes passing or bypassing impossible, and in the situation shown, such possibility remains.