25.7. May other vehicles occupy a place for permanent movement in a convoy that is not accompanied by emergency vehicles?
UAЧи можуть сторонні транспортні засоби займати місце для постійного руху в колоні, яку не супроводжують оперативні транспортні засоби?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of organized movement of vehicles in a convoy and the prevention of chaotic "cutting in" between vehicles. Such actions increase the risk of accidents, complicate the maintenance of proper distance, and can create dangerous situations during braking, lane changes, and overtaking. Therefore, the traffic rules establish clear restrictions for other drivers.
The question tests knowledge of Section 25 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, "Movement of Vehicles in Convoys." The key provision is clause 25.6: other vehicles are prohibited from occupying a place for permanent movement in a convoy, regardless of whether there is an escort. Additionally, it is important to understand clause 25.4: if the convoy moves without an escort of emergency vehicles, it must be divided into groups (up to five vehicles), and the distance between groups must allow other vehicles to overtake. In other words, the gaps between groups are created to complete the overtaking maneuver, not for "joining" and further driving within the convoy.
During the theoretical exam, permitted overtaking is often confused with the prohibited occupation of a place for permanent movement: the option that allows "may" is incorrect, as it contradicts the direct prohibition of clause 25.6. The correct answer option is consistent with the Traffic Rules and the practice of safe driving: a third-party vehicle may only overtake the group and return to normal driving mode, not become part of the convoy.
Clause 25.6
Other vehicles are prohibited from occupying a place for continuous movement in a convoy.
Clause 25.4
A convoy moving without escort by emergency vehicles must be divided into groups (no more than five vehicles in each), with the distance between them ensuring the possibility for other vehicles to overtake the group.
Thus, the correct answer is "They cannot," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, other (unauthorized) vehicles are explicitly prohibited from occupying a place for continuous movement in a convoy (clause 25.6), while clause 25.4 only establishes the procedure for convoy movement without escort and ensures the possibility of overtaking the convoy without "merging in" for continuous movement.
When a convoy of vehicles is moving on the road, it is considered an organized group for which the Traffic Rules provide specific regulations. The driver of an outside vehicle is not a participant in this convoy, so their movement must be separated from the movement of the convoy.
Clause 25.6 of the Traffic Rules explicitly establishes a prohibition: other vehicles are not allowed to become part of the convoy for continuous movement. That is, you cannot “merge” between the vehicles of the convoy and continue driving as if you are one of its participants.
The question specifically clarifies that the convoy is not accompanied by emergency vehicles. This means that, according to the rules, such a convoy must be divided into small groups, with gaps between them so that other drivers can safely overtake the group. However, these gaps are not intended for an outside vehicle to permanently take a place in the convoy, but only for the overtaking maneuver with subsequent return to their lane and normal driving mode.
For example, if a group of several trucks is moving on the highway as a convoy, you may overtake this group, using the necessary gap between the groups to complete the maneuver. However, after overtaking, you do not have the right to “join” and drive between the vehicles of the convoy as part of it.
Therefore, the correct answer is “They cannot,” since the Traffic Rules prohibit outside vehicles from occupying a place for continuous movement in a convoy, and the gaps between groups are intended only to allow overtaking, not to join the convoy.