23.12. Under what conditions must towing of vehicles be carried out?
UAЗа яких умов повинне здійснюватися буксирування транспортних засобів?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during towing, when two vehicles move as a single connected system. In real situations, a snapped cable or a detached towing loop during acceleration or braking can instantly create an emergency, so the traffic rules set clear technical requirements for such a maneuver. Knowing these requirements is important not only for the theoretical exam but also for practice: towing is often used after accidents, breakdowns, or other unforeseen stops.
The question tests the section of the Traffic Rules dedicated to towing, specifically point 23.1. The essence of the rule is simple: towing is allowed only if both vehicles—the one towing and the one being towed—have technically sound coupling devices. This is logical, because even a perfectly strong cable or bar does not guarantee safety if the hook, loop, or bracket is damaged on either side—the connection may come apart under load.
That is why options where the serviceability of the coupling device is required only from one of the vehicles contradict point 23.1 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine: a "weak link" anywhere makes the whole system unsafe. For theoretical exam preparation, it is useful to remember the rule: in this exam question, the correct approach is always about a bilateral check of the coupling elements' serviceability before starting to move, to minimize the risk of disconnection and accidents.
Clause 23.1
Towing must be carried out by a motor vehicle without a trailer and with technically sound coupling devices both on the towed vehicle and on the towing vehicle. Starting the engine using a rigid or flexible coupling must be performed in accordance with the requirements of this section. It is permitted to tow only one motor vehicle with only one trailer.
Clause 1.10 (term "Towing")
Towing is the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle, which does not pertain to the operation of road trains (vehicle combinations), using a rigid or flexible coupling or by partially loading onto a platform or a special supporting device.
Thus, the correct answer is "Provided that the towed vehicle, as well as the towing vehicle, have a functioning coupling device," considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, towing is allowed only if both vehicles have technically sound coupling devices (requirement of clause 23.1).
Towing in the Traffic Rules is understood as moving one vehicle by another with the help of a coupling (a flexible cable, rigid bar, or partial loading). That is, during such movement, the two cars essentially become "linked" together, and the safety of the maneuver completely depends on how reliably they are connected.
That is why clause 23.1 of the Traffic Rules establishes a key condition: towing is allowed only when the coupling devices are technically sound on both the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle. Functionality is required on both sides because the connection works as a single system: if the hook, loop, bracket, or any other element is faulty on even one of the vehicles, the coupling may disconnect while driving.
Imagine a situation: the cable or bar seems strong, but the towing loop on the towed vehicle is damaged. During acceleration or braking, the load increases sharply, and the mounting may break off. Then the towed vehicle will lose its controlled connection with the tow truck, which creates a direct risk of an accident for both drivers and other road users. Therefore, checking and ensuring the presence of a functional coupling device on each of the two vehicles is mandatory before starting towing.
Thus, the correct answer is "Provided that there is a functional coupling device on the towed vehicle as well as on the towing vehicle," since clause 23.1 of the Traffic Rules requires the technical soundness of the coupling devices on both vehicles to prevent disconnection while driving and emergency situations.