21.1. In what number is it allowed to transport passengers in a vehicle equipped for this purpose?
UAУ якій кількості дозволяється перевозити пасажирів в обладнаному для цього транспортному засобі?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning the safety of passenger transportation and the prevention of vehicle overloading. Correctly determining the permissible number of people in the cabin directly affects handling, braking distance, vehicle stability, the driver's ability to control the traffic situation, as well as the protection of passengers during sudden maneuvers and accidents.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding passenger transportation, specifically the requirements of clause 21.1 of the Traffic Rules. According to this clause, the permitted number of passengers is determined not “by feel” and not simply by the number of visible seats in the cabin, but by the technical specification of the vehicle (established by the manufacturer and recorded in the technical/registration documents). Additionally, the Traffic Rules require that passengers do not interfere with the driver’s control or restrict visibility, which is a key criterion for the theoretical exam.
When evaluating the answer options, the wording “the number that ensures safety” sounds logical but is too general and does not provide a clear regulatory criterion, so it does not correspond to the text of the traffic rules. The option about “the actual number of seats” can also be misleading, since capacity is not determined subjectively (how many seats were installed or “how many fit”), but officially—by the technical specification, which takes into account design, load, and safety requirements. In practice, this means that exceeding the capacity established by the manufacturer (for example, in a passenger car or bus with a specified maximum number of passengers) will be a violation, even if people physically “fit.”
Clause 21.1
It is permitted to transport passengers in a vehicle equipped with seats, in the quantity specified by the technical specifications, so that they do not interfere with the driver’s control of the vehicle and do not restrict visibility, in accordance with the transportation rules.
This clause directly establishes that the permissible number of passengers is determined by the technical specifications (factory/registration capacity) of the vehicle; exceeding this number is a violation of the Traffic Rules requirements.
Therefore, the correct answer is "In the quantity specified by the technical specifications of the vehicle," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, passengers are allowed to be transported only in the quantity specified by the technical specifications of the vehicle.
When transporting passengers, the main guideline in the Traffic Rules is not “by eye” or “as many as will fit,” but rather the number of people for which the vehicle is structurally designed. This is determined by the manufacturer and indicated in the technical specifications (passport/registration data) of the vehicle.
Clause 21.1 of the Traffic Rules states that passengers are allowed to be transported only in a vehicle that has equipped seating places, and strictly within the number specified in the technical specifications. It is additionally emphasized that the placement of passengers must not interfere with driving or impair the driver’s visibility. That is, even an “extra” passenger on a seat or between seats, who distracts, limits visibility, or creates crowding, contradicts safety requirements.
In practice, this means that in a passenger car with 5 seats, you cannot transport 6 people, even if everyone “somehow fits.” In a bus or route transport, there is usually information about the permissible total number of passengers and the number of seats; exceeding this specified limit will also be a violation, as it exceeds the technical capabilities and safety requirements set by the manufacturer.
Therefore, the correct answer is “In the quantity specified by the technical specifications of the vehicle,” since the Traffic Rules allow passengers to be transported only within the capacity established by the manufacturer and provided that the passengers do not interfere with driving or restrict visibility.