23.4. Where must passengers be located when towing a vehicle by the method of partial loading?
UAДе повинні перебувати пасажири у разі буксирування транспортного засобу способом часткового навантаження?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during towing and the rules for transporting people in non-standard road situations. Such regulations are especially important for the theoretical exam, as towing by the method of partial loading (when a car is partially lifted onto a platform or supporting device) significantly changes the risks for passengers: there may be jerks, changes in the tilt angle of the towed vehicle, limited ability for safe exit, and an increased likelihood of injury in the event of an emergency.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding towing, specifically the requirements of paragraph 23.9 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. According to this provision, during partial loading, it is prohibited to transport passengers in any vehicles except for the cab of the towing vehicle. That is, passengers may only be present where the vehicle is structurally designed for safe transportation under the control of the driver of the towing vehicle.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to one key rule: any presence of passengers in the towed vehicle during partial loading is strictly prohibited, so the option "in both vehicles" is incorrect. Likewise, answers that allow passengers to be placed in the cargo bed of a truck or in the cab and cargo bed of the towing vehicle are also incorrect, since paragraph 23.9 prohibits transporting passengers outside the cab of the towing vehicle. In practice, this rule often applies to tow trucks: people should not remain in a vehicle that is partially loaded, nor should they ride in the cargo bed, even if it seems "more convenient."
Clause 23.9
During towing with a rigid or flexible coupling, it is prohibited to transport passengers in the towed vehicle (except for a passenger car) and in the cargo bed of the towing truck, and in the case of towing by partial loading of the towed vehicle onto a platform or special supporting device — in all vehicles (except for the cab of the towing vehicle).
Brief application: when towing by partial loading, passengers may not be in the towed vehicle or in any other parts of the towing vehicle (for example, in the cargo bed); it is only allowed in the cab of the towing vehicle.
Clause 1.10 (term "Towing")
Towing — the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle, which does not refer to the operation of road trains (vehicle combinations), using a rigid or flexible coupling or by partial loading onto a platform or special supporting device.
Brief application: the question directly concerns one of the towing methods defined in the Traffic Rules — "by partial loading".
Clause 1.10 (term "Passenger")
Passenger — a person who uses a vehicle and is present in it, but is not involved in driving it.
Brief application: the provision of clause 23.9 establishes restrictions specifically regarding the transportation of passengers during towing (where they are allowed/prohibited to be).
That is, the correct answer is "Only in the cab of the towing vehicle," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, during towing by partial loading, the transportation of passengers is prohibited in all vehicles except for the cab of the towing vehicle.
During towing by the method of partial loading, the situation differs from conventional towing with a rope or rigid coupling. Partial loading means that one vehicle is actually lifted and transported on the platform or on a special supporting device of the towing vehicle. That is, the towed vehicle does not move as a full participant in traffic under the control of a driver, but is a cargo/object of transportation.
That is why the safety requirements for passengers here are stricter. Clause 23.9 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly states: in the case of towing by the method of partial loading, passengers may not be transported in any of the vehicles, except for the cab of the one performing the towing. The logic is simple: the presence of people in the towed vehicle or in any other places outside the cab creates an increased risk of injury due to the unstable position of the towed car, possible jerks, shifts, or other emergency situations during transportation.
Imagine a passenger car loaded by its front part onto a tow truck (partial loading), and someone remains inside this car. Such a person finds themselves in a vehicle that is not moving in the usual mode, can change its tilt angle, has limited possibilities for safe evacuation, and does not provide adequate protection. Therefore, the Traffic Rules allow passengers to stay only where safe transportation during movement is structurally provided and where the driver directly controls the situation, that is, in the cab of the towing vehicle.
Thus, the correct answer is "Only in the cab of the towing vehicle," since clause 23.9 of the Traffic Rules allows passengers during partial loading to be only in the cab of the towing vehicle, and in other places the transportation of passengers is prohibited.