15.97. Is the driver of the black car allowed to stop as shown in the illustration?
UAЧи дозволено водієві чорного автомобіля зупинитись так як показано на малюнку?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning road safety during stopping and parking, as an improperly parked vehicle can block a lane, create an obstacle, and provoke an accident or traffic jam. The theoretical exam often includes situations where you need not just to “stop,” but to do so legally and safely for other road users.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding stopping and parking (points 15.1 and 15.4). According to the general rule, stopping must be done on the shoulder, and if there is none—near the right edge of the carriageway as close as possible to it, so as not to obstruct traffic. If a driver leaves a car on the carriageway next to a vehicle already parked by the shoulder, this essentially creates a “second row,” and parking in two or more rows is directly prohibited by point 15.4.
That is why the option “allowed” is incorrect: such a stop does not comply with the requirements for placing the vehicle near the edge and creates an obstacle. The correct answer is that stopping is prohibited, as the rule against double-row parking on the carriageway is violated. An exception is possible only for a forced stop (as defined in the Traffic Rules), but in that case the driver must turn on the hazard warning lights and set up an emergency stop sign according to section 9, which in this scenario is not considered a “regular” way to stop.
Clause 15.1
Stopping and parking of vehicles must be carried out on the shoulder, and in its absence — on the carriageway near the right edge and as close to it as possible, so as not to obstruct the movement of other road users.
Clause 15.4
It is not permitted to park vehicles on the carriageway in two or more rows.
Clause 1.10 (term “Stopping”)
Stopping — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or for a longer period if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, or to comply with the requirements of these Rules.
Clause 1.10 (term “Forced stop”)
Forced stop — 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 beyond the driver's control.
Clause 9.9
The hazard warning lights must be switched on, in particular, in the event of a forced stop.
Clause 9.10
The emergency stop sign or a flashing red lantern must be placed in the event of a forced stop (and in other cases provided by the Rules) at a distance that ensures timely warning of other drivers about the danger: in populated areas — at least 20 m, outside populated areas — at least 40 m from the vehicle.
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, stopping must be carried out near the edge of the carriageway (or on the shoulder), and parking a vehicle in two rows on the carriageway is directly prohibited by clause 15.4 (and is not allowed unless it is a forced stop with proper marking).
When stopping, the driver must choose a place so as not to interfere with other road users. As a general rule, a vehicle should be stopped on the shoulder, and if there is no shoulder or stopping on it is impossible, then — at the very edge of the carriageway.
In the image, the black car stopped not at the edge, but actually on the carriageway next to a vehicle that is already parked by the shoulder. As a result, two rows of cars are formed at the stopping place, and this is directly prohibited by clause 15.4 of the Traffic Rules: it is not allowed to park vehicles on the carriageway in two or more rows.
It is important to understand the difference between a regular stop and a forced stop. If a car stopped due to a malfunction or another objective reason, and the driver properly marked such a case with warning signals, this is a different situation. But in the question, it is shown exactly a stop "as in the picture," that is, as a method of parking/stopping, and not a forced stop with appropriate marking.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since the stop is made in the second row on the carriageway, which contradicts clause 15.4 of the Traffic Rules and creates an obstacle to traffic.