15.35. Is the driver of the red car performing the boarding (alighting) of passengers correctly?
UAЧи правильно водій червоного автомобіля виконує посадку (висадку) пасажирів?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safe boarding and alighting of passengers in the city, where drivers often stop “for a minute” and create obstacles to the traffic flow. Such situations directly affect road safety: a car in the second lane narrows the carriageway, provokes sharp maneuvers by other drivers, and increases the risk of hitting pedestrians when passengers exit.
The question tests knowledge of Section 15 of the Traffic Rules (stopping and parking), as well as the understanding that boarding/alighting passengers under the term “Stop” (item 1.10) is considered a full stop and must be performed according to the rules. According to item 15.1, you must stop on the shoulder or as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway, without obstructing traffic. When the right edge is occupied by other vehicles, stopping next to them effectively creates “two lanes,” which is prohibited.
In the “Correct” option, the mistake is that a passenger car is not allowed to stop in the second row even for a short time for passengers: item 15.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly prohibits parking vehicles on the carriageway in two or more rows, with an exception only for two-wheeled vehicles (bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles without a sidecar). Therefore, the correct choice for the theoretical exam follows from the fact that the driver should continue driving and find a place where it is possible to stop safely by the right edge or on the shoulder, without creating an obstacle for others.
Clause 1.10 (term "Stop")
Stop — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or more, if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo.
Explanation of application: boarding/alighting of passengers is performed during a "stop", and therefore the driver is obliged to carry it out in compliance with the requirements of Section 15 of the Traffic Rules (where and how stopping is allowed).
Clause 15.1
Stopping and parking of vehicles on the road must be carried out on the shoulder, and in its absence or if stopping (parking) on the shoulder is impossible — near the right edge of the carriageway as far to the right as possible, so as not to obstruct the movement of other vehicles; on one-way roads, stopping and parking are also allowed near the left edge of the carriageway.
Explanation of application: for boarding/alighting, the driver must stop near the edge of the carriageway (as close as possible to the right), and not in a lane/row that forms a "second row" relative to vehicles already stopped/parked near the sidewalk.
Clause 15.4
It is not allowed to park vehicles on the carriageway in two or more rows. Two-wheeled vehicles (bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles) without a sidecar are allowed to be parked in two rows.
Explanation of application: stopping the red car for boarding/alighting passengers in the "second row" (when the right edge/row is occupied by other vehicles) is directly prohibited, since it is not a two-wheeled vehicle without a sidecar.
Thus, the correct answer is "Incorrect.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, boarding/alighting is a "stop", and stopping a passenger car on the carriageway in two rows is prohibited and must be carried out near the right edge of the carriageway (or on the shoulder).
When picking up or dropping off passengers, the driver must stop in such a way that the vehicle does not create obstacles for other road users and is parked in a permitted place. The general rule for a car: you need to stop near the right edge of the roadway, closer to the sidewalk or on the shoulder, if there is one.
In the given situation, the right lane is occupied, and the driver of the red car stops next to vehicles that are already parked at the right edge. That is, in fact, he is parked on the roadway in a second row. This means that the car did not take the far right position, but blocked part of the traffic lane and created an obstacle for other drivers.
Clause 15.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine explicitly prohibits parking vehicles on the roadway in two or more rows. The only exception is made for two-wheeled vehicles (bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles without a sidecar), but cars are not included in this exception. Therefore, even a short stop "for a minute" to pick up or drop off a passenger in such a position is a violation.
The correct action in this situation for the driver of the red car is to continue driving and stop where it is possible to safely park near the right edge (or on the shoulder) without forming a second row.
Thus, the correct answer is "Incorrect," since the driver stopped in a second row on the roadway, and clause 15.4 of the Traffic Rules prohibits such a stop for cars.