19.26. While driving at night, regardless of the degree of road illumination, the following external lighting devices must be switched on on a moving motor vehicle:
UAПід час руху в темний час доби незалежно від ступеня освітлення дороги на механічному транспортному засобі, що рухається, обов'язково вмикаються такі зовнішні світлові пристрої:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns driving safety at night, when the risk of traffic accidents increases due to reduced visibility and driver eye fatigue. Even with street lighting, it is important for the driver not only to see the road situation in advance, but also to be visible to other road users, who judge distance and closing speed primarily by the headlights.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the use of external lighting devices, specifically the requirement of point 19.1 a): at night (definition provided in point 1.10), a moving motor vehicle must have its low or high beam headlights turned on regardless of the level of road illumination. This wording often appears in the theoretical exam because students mistakenly rely on street lamps or "sufficient visibility," although the rule always applies from sunset to sunrise.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to the fact that parking lights and fog lights do not replace the mandatory low/high beam headlights when driving at night: parking lights are mainly needed to mark the vehicle, but do not provide sufficient road illumination, and fog lights are used in specific conditions (fog, precipitation, poor visibility) and are not the only mandatory mode at night. At the same time, the choice between low and high beam depends on the situation: high beam allows you to see further, but it must be switched to low beam in time so as not to dazzle oncoming or preceding drivers.
Clause 19.1 a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
At night and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of the degree of road illumination, as well as in tunnels, the following lighting devices must be switched on on a moving vehicle: a) on all motor vehicles — dipped (main) beam headlights.
Clause 1.10 (term "Night time")
Night time — the period from sunset to sunrise.
Clause 1.10 (term "Motor vehicle")
Motor vehicle — a vehicle propelled by an engine. This term applies to tractors, self-propelled machines and mechanisms, as well as trolleybuses and vehicles with an electric motor of more than 3 kW.
Thus, the correct answer is "Dipped or main beam headlights," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, at night, a moving motor vehicle must have its dipped (main) beam headlights switched on (clause 19.1 a).
While driving at night, the main problem for the driver is that the visibility of the road and objects is sharply reduced. Even if a section of the road appears to be illuminated by streetlights, this does not guarantee that you will notice a pedestrian, obstacle, road surface irregularity, or an unlit vehicle in time. In addition, other road users need to see your car in advance in order to correctly assess the distance and speed of approach.
That is why clause 19.1 a) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a clear requirement: at night, regardless of the degree of road illumination, a moving motor vehicle must have its low beam or high beam headlights turned on. In other words, the rule always applies as soon as it is nighttime, and it does not depend on whether there is street lighting.
It is important to understand the difference between lighting modes. Low beam is used in most situations at night, especially when there are oncoming or passing vehicles, so as not to dazzle others. High beam is allowed to be used when it does not interfere with other road users, and it allows you to spot danger on the road earlier. But within the context of this question, the key point is that it is the headlights (low or high beam) that must be turned on, not just the parking lights or other lighting devices that do not provide sufficient road illumination.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Low beam or high beam headlights," because at night the Traffic Rules (clause 19.1 a) require that while driving a motor vehicle, the headlights must be turned on regardless of road lighting, so that the driver can see the road and be visible to others.