23.19. Under what condition may there be no driver in the towed vehicle during towing with a rigid tow bar?
UAЗа якої умови під час буксирування транспортного засобу на жорсткому зчепленні в буксируваному транспортному засобі може бути відсутній водій?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning safety during towing, when one vehicle moves another using a coupling. In such situations, the key risk is related to controlling the direction of movement: without a driver in the towed vehicle, it may deviate from its trajectory, "cut" corners, or swing wide, creating danger for other road users. That is why the traffic rules strictly regulate when the presence of a driver is mandatory and when an exception is allowed.
The question tests knowledge of Section 23 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (towing), specifically clause 23.5, which sets the general rule: when towing with a rigid or flexible coupling, there must be a driver in the towed mechanical vehicle. The only exception applies specifically to rigid coupling, but only when its design ensures automatic following of the towing vehicle’s trajectory regardless of the degree of turns. This is an important detail for the theoretical exam, as it distinguishes an ordinary tow bar from a special rigid coupling that actually "guides" the towed vehicle along the same line.
The analysis of the answer options in this ticket is straightforward: the statement "always" is incorrect, because the traffic rules allow the absence of a driver not at any time, but only under a specific design condition. The option about towing only in populated areas is also incorrect, since the place of movement is not a criterion in clause 23.5. The correct option is the one that directly states the condition regarding the design of the rigid coupling and following the trajectory regardless of turns; and the combined answer (1, 2, and 3) is not suitable, as it contains false statements that contradict the traffic rules.
Clause 23.5
Towing of a motor vehicle with a rigid or flexible coupling is permitted only if there is a driver behind the wheel of the towed vehicle (except in cases where the design of the rigid coupling ensures that the towed vehicle follows the trajectory of the towing vehicle, regardless of the degree of turns).
Brief application: this clause establishes the general rule requiring a driver to be present in the towed vehicle and the sole exception for rigid coupling—when the design ensures the trajectory is followed regardless of turns.
Clause 1.10 (term "Towing")
Towing is the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle, which does not apply to the operation of road trains (vehicle combinations), using a rigid or flexible coupling or by partially loading onto a platform or special supporting device.
Brief application: terminologically defines "towing" as a specific method of moving vehicles, to which the special requirements of Section 23 apply, in particular clause 23.5.
Thus, the correct answer is: "Provided that the design of the rigid coupling ensures that the towed vehicle follows the trajectory of the towing vehicle, regardless of the degree of turns," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, clause 23.5 directly allows the absence of a driver in the towed vehicle only as an exception when such a rigid coupling design is present.
During towing, the main task of the driver in the towed vehicle is to control the direction of movement so that the vehicle does not deviate from the lane, does not "cut" corners, and does not create danger. Therefore, the general rule of the Traffic Rules is: when towing with a coupling, there must be a driver in the towed vehicle.
Clause 23.5 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine explicitly states that a driver in the towed mechanical vehicle is mandatory both for rigid and flexible coupling. However, there is an exception to this rule, and it specifically concerns rigid coupling.
The essence of the exception is that sometimes the design of the rigid coupling can actually "lead" the towed vehicle so that it automatically follows the exact trajectory of the towing vehicle. Imagine a turn: usually, a towed vehicle without a driver may shift, "cut" the corner, or, on the contrary, go wider, which is dangerous. But if the coupling is designed in such a way that the towed vehicle follows the path of the towing vehicle regardless of how sharp the turn is, then the need for a driver in the towed vehicle disappears—the direction is controlled by the coupling's design itself.
That is why the Traffic Rules allow the absence of a driver in the towed vehicle only in a narrow case: when the rigid coupling guarantees that the towed vehicle will follow the trajectory of the towing vehicle under any turning conditions. In all other situations, a driver in the towed vehicle is absolutely required.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Provided that the design of the rigid coupling ensures that the towed vehicle follows the trajectory of the towing vehicle regardless of the sharpness of the turns," because only such a design replaces the need for the driver to control the direction in the towed vehicle, as directly stipulated in clause 23.5 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.