15.81. Is it permitted for drivers of passenger cars to stop or park on the left side of the road, which has one lane in each direction, without tram tracks in the middle and not divided by a solid line marking, as well as on the left side of a one-way road within a populated area?
UAЧи дозволено водіям легкових автомобілів виконувати зупинку або стоянку на лівому боці дороги, яка має по одній смузі для руху в кожному напрямку, без трамвайних колій посередині і не розділена суцільною розміткою, а також на лівому боці дороги з одностороннім рухом у населеному пункті?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of the rules for stopping and parking in populated areas and the ability to apply exceptions to the general principle of right-hand traffic. The topic is directly related to road safety: improper parking on the left side can create obstacles, reduce visibility, and provoke dangerous maneuvers by other drivers, which is why the traffic rules clearly define when this is allowed.
The theoretical exam focuses on point 15.3 of the Traffic Rules section on stopping and parking. It specifically states that within populated areas, passenger cars are allowed to stop or park on the left in two cases: on a road with one lane in each direction without tram tracks in the middle and without a solid line dividing the flows, as well as on a one-way road. These conditions are important because they reduce the risk of conflict with oncoming traffic and do not require crossing prohibited elements of traffic organization.
The analysis of the answer options in this exam question is straightforward: the "allowed" option is correct, as it fully corresponds to the permission directly provided by point 15.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine for populated areas. The "prohibited" option would only be correct under other circumstances, for example, outside a populated area or when there are tram tracks in the center or the road is divided by a solid marking, but in this task these restrictions are specifically excluded. In practice, such knowledge helps to correctly choose a place for stopping/parking in the city and avoid mistakes in the theoretical exam and in real traffic.
Clause 15.3
In populated areas, stopping and parking of vehicles are allowed on the left side of the road, which has one lane in each direction (without tram tracks in the middle) and is not divided by a solid road marking line, as well as on the left side of a one-way road.
This clause directly establishes an exception to the general rule (stopping/parking is mainly on the right): in a populated area, a passenger car may stop/park on the left under the two conditions described in the question (a two-way road with 1 lane in each direction without tram tracks and without a solid line in the middle; or a one-way road).
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, fulfilling the requirements of these Rules, or signals from a traffic controller or traffic light.
Clause 1.10 (term “Parking”)
Parking — cessation of movement of a vehicle for more than 5 minutes for reasons not related to the necessity of fulfilling the requirements of these Rules, boarding (alighting) passengers, or loading (unloading) cargo.
Clause 1.10 (term “Populated area”)
Populated area — a built-up area, the entrances to and exits from which are marked by road signs 5.49, 5.50, 5.51, 5.52.
Clause 1.10 (term “One-way road”)
One-way road — a road or carriageway on which traffic of vehicles is carried out in one direction across the entire width.
Clause 33.5.5 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.5 “One-way road”
A road or carriageway on which traffic of vehicles is carried out in one direction across the entire width.
Clause 33.5.49 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.49 “Beginning of populated area”
The beginning of a populated area, where the requirements of these Rules governing traffic in populated areas apply.
Clause 33.5.50 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.50 “End of populated area”
The end of a populated area, where the requirements of these Rules governing traffic in populated areas were in effect.
Clause 33.5.51 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.51 “Beginning of populated area”
The beginning of a populated area, where the requirements of these Rules governing traffic in populated areas apply.
Clause 33.5.52 — 33 “Road signs”, 5 “Informational and direction signs”, sign 5.52 “End of populated area”
The end of a populated area, where the requirements of these Rules governing traffic in populated areas were in effect.
Clause 34.1.1 — 34 “Road markings”, 1 “Horizontal markings”, marking 1.1
A narrow solid line that separates traffic flows in opposite directions on roads with two or three traffic lanes, and also marks the boundaries of traffic lanes in dangerous places on roads; marks the boundaries of the carriageway into which entry is prohibited; marks the boundaries of parking areas, parking spaces for vehicles, and the edge of the carriageway of roads where, according to the Rules, stopping and parking of vehicles are prohibited.
That is, the correct answer is “Allowed.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, clause 15.3 directly allows stopping and parking in populated areas on the left side: on a road with 1 lane in each direction without tram tracks in the middle and without a solid marking line, as well as on a one-way road.
According to the general rule in Ukraine, stopping and parking are performed on the right: on the shoulder, or if that is not possible—near the right edge of the carriageway. This arrangement corresponds to right-hand traffic and is usually the safest.
However, in populated areas, the Traffic Rules make an exception. According to clause 15.3, passenger cars are allowed to stop and park on the left side of the road, but only under clearly defined conditions, so that it does not create danger and does not require crossing prohibited elements of traffic organization.
The first situation from the question: the road has one lane in each direction, there are no tram tracks in the middle, and the opposing flows are not separated by a solid line marking. Under such conditions, the Traffic Rules allow a passenger car to stop or park on the left within a populated area. For example, on a regular two-way street with one lane “there” and one “back,” without a solid line in the middle, the driver of a passenger car may park on the left side, provided this does not contradict other prohibitions regarding the place of stopping/parking.
The second situation from the question: a one-way road in a populated area. Here, clause 15.3 also applies: on a one-way street, passenger cars are allowed to stop and park both on the right and on the left, because there is no oncoming flow, and such placement is logical for traffic organization in the city.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Allowed.", since clause 15.3 of the Traffic Rules directly permits stopping/parking of passenger cars on the left side within a populated area on a two-way road with one lane in each direction without tram tracks and without a solid line marking, as well as on the left side of a one-way road.