23.5. During towing, in which cases are passengers allowed to be in the towed vehicle?
UAПід час буксирування яким із способів пасажири можуть перебувати в буксируваному транспортному засобі?
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This exam question focuses on safety during towing and how traffic rules reduce risks for people inside the vehicle. When moving with a rope or rigid coupling, jerks, unstable trajectory, and increased danger during braking are possible, so the Traffic Rules of Ukraine set clear restrictions on carrying passengers in such situations.
The question tests knowledge of the towing section of the Traffic Rules (point 23.9) and is often encountered in the theoretical exam. The general rule: when towing with a rigid or flexible coupling, carrying passengers in the towed vehicle is prohibited, but there is a direct exception for passenger cars. This exception is the key to the correct answer: passengers may be in the towed vehicle only when a passenger car is being towed with a rigid or flexible coupling.
The analysis of the options in this exam question shows typical pitfalls. The statement about the possibility of passengers being in a truck during towing with a rigid coupling is false, as point 23.9 separately prohibits passengers in the towed vehicle (except for passenger cars) and additionally prohibits them in the body of the towing truck. The reference to "daylight hours" also does not change the prohibition, because in this point the condition is not tied to the time of day. And the statement that passengers can always be in any towed vehicle contradicts the basic rule of the Traffic Rules and ignores the exception, which applies only to passenger cars; it is also important to remember that when towing by partial loading, passengers are not allowed in the towed vehicle at all.
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 vehicle onto a platform or special supporting device — in all vehicles (except for the cab of the towing vehicle).
Brief application: the clause directly establishes an exception to the prohibition — passengers may be in the towed vehicle only when a passenger car is being towed and the towing is performed with a rigid or flexible coupling; in case of partial loading — passengers are prohibited from being in the towed vehicle.
That is, the correct answer is "During towing with a rigid or flexible coupling – in a passenger car," given that by definition, Clause 23.9 of the Traffic Rules prohibits the transportation of passengers in the towed vehicle, but directly provides an exception only for a passenger car (and in the case of partial loading — prohibits it in all vehicles except the cab of the towing vehicle).
During towing, it is important to remember that the safety of passengers in the towed vehicle is much less ensured than during normal driving. The car being towed can jerk sharply, change its trajectory due to the tension of the coupling, and in case of braking or a sudden movement, there is an increased risk of injury to people inside the cabin.
That is why clause 23.9 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a general rule: during towing with a rigid or flexible coupling, it is prohibited to carry passengers in the towed vehicle. However, this clause contains an exception: the prohibition does not apply to passenger cars. That is, if a passenger car is being towed, passengers may remain inside it.
For example, if a passenger car breaks down and is being towed with a rope or a rigid hitch, passengers may stay inside this passenger car. On the other hand, if a bus, truck, or another vehicle is being towed, passengers are not allowed to be inside it, even if the towing method is the same (rigid or flexible coupling).
It should also be noted not to confuse this with towing by partial loading: in such cases, passengers are not allowed to be in the towed vehicle at all, and people may only be in the cab of the towing vehicle.
Therefore, the correct answer is "During towing with a rigid or flexible coupling – in a passenger car," since the Traffic Rules allow passengers to be in the towed vehicle only as an exception and only when a passenger car is being towed.