19.22. Under what conditions are drivers of motor vehicles allowed to use high beam headlights at night or in conditions of insufficient visibility?
UAЗа яких умов водіям механічних транспортних засобів дозволено використовувати дальнє світло фар у темний час доби або в умовах недостатньої видимості?
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This exam question focuses on road safety during nighttime and in conditions of insufficient visibility, when proper use of headlights directly affects the risk of traffic accidents. High beams improve road visibility, but at the same time can create dangerous glare for other road users, causing them to temporarily lose the ability to recognize road boundaries and obstacles.
The question tests knowledge of Section 19 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine "Use of External Lighting Devices," primarily clause 19.2, as well as basic definitions from clause 1.10 (nighttime, insufficient visibility, glare, mechanical vehicle). In the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the logic of the rule: high beams may be used only as long as they do not interfere with other drivers, including those moving ahead in the same direction (via mirrors). Separately, the Traffic Rules require switching from high to low beams in advance, at least 250 meters before an oncoming vehicle, and earlier if necessary, if the driver of the oncoming vehicle signals by flashing their headlights.
The analysis of answer options in this exam question is straightforward: the condition regarding the presence of a dividing strip by itself is not a permit for using high beams, because the traffic rules restrict their use based specifically on the risk of glare, not on the type of traffic separation. Therefore, the combination "1 and 2" is also incorrect: the only correct criterion is the absence of risk of dazzling other drivers, including those moving in the same direction, which fully meets the requirements of clause 19.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.
Clause 19.1
At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of road lighting, dipped or high beam headlights must be switched on in motor vehicles.
This clause sets the general rule: under the specified conditions, it is allowed (and required) to drive with the headlights on, including the use of high beams — but taking into account the restrictions of clause 19.2.
Clause 19.2
High beams must be switched to dipped beams at least 250 m before an oncoming vehicle, as well as when they may dazzle other drivers, including those moving in the same direction. The lights must also be switched at a greater distance if the driver of the oncoming vehicle signals this need by periodically flashing their headlights.
This clause directly determines the condition for the permissibility of using high beams: they are allowed only as long as they do not dazzle other drivers (including those moving in the same direction), and in any case must be switched to dipped beams under the specified circumstances.
Clause 1.10 (term "Motor vehicle")
Motor vehicle — a vehicle driven by an engine. This term applies to tractors, self-propelled machines and mechanisms, as well as trolleybuses and vehicles with an electric motor power of more than 3 kW.
This definition clarifies to which vehicles the requirements of section 19 regarding the use of lighting devices apply.
Clause 1.10 (term "Night time")
Night time — the period from sunset to sunrise.
This definition specifies when the conditions arise in which the requirements of clauses 19.1–19.2 apply.
Clause 1.10 (term "Insufficient visibility")
Insufficient visibility — road visibility in the direction of travel of less than 300 m in twilight, fog, rain, snowfall, etc.
This definition establishes when the rules for switching on and switching headlights additionally apply.
Clause 1.10 (term "Dazzle")
Dazzle — a physiological state of the driver caused by the effect of light on their vision, when the driver is objectively unable to detect obstacles or recognize the boundaries of road elements at the minimum distance.
This definition explains the danger that the requirement of clause 19.2 regarding the prevention of dazzle is intended to prevent.
Thus, the correct answer is: "Provided that the driver cannot dazzle other drivers, including those moving in the same direction," given that according to the definition in clause 19.2 of the Traffic Rules, it is directly required to switch high beams to dipped beams whenever high beams may dazzle other drivers (including those moving in the same direction), and therefore the use of high beams is only permitted in the absence of the risk of dazzling.
At night (from sunset to sunrise) or when visibility is insufficient (for example, in fog, rain, or twilight, when the road ahead is visible for less than 300 m), the driver of a motor vehicle must use the headlights. High beams provide better visibility at a greater distance, but their main limitation is related to the safety of other road users.
Clause 19.2 of the Traffic Rules establishes a simple principle: high beams are allowed only as long as they do not cause glare for other drivers. Glare is dangerous because a driver affected by bright light temporarily loses the ability to properly see the road boundaries, obstacles, and the situation ahead.
Therefore, the rules explicitly require switching from high to low beams at least 250 m before an oncoming vehicle. Also, in any situation where your lights may interfere: not only with oncoming drivers, but also those driving ahead in the same direction. A typical example: you are catching up to a car, and your high beams dazzle its driver through the mirrors. In such a case, the high beams must be turned off, even if there are no oncoming vehicles.
The rules also specify that sometimes you need to switch to low beams even earlier than 250 m if the driver of an oncoming vehicle signals with periodic headlight flashes that they are being dazzled. This means that the distance is not a "permit to shine until the last moment," but only a minimum threshold beyond which you must definitely lower your lights.
Thus, the correct answer is "Provided that the driver cannot dazzle other drivers, including those moving in the same direction," since clause 19.2 of the Traffic Rules allows the use of high beams only when they do not dazzle other drivers and requires timely switching to low beams.