27.2. Is it allowed for mechanically propelled vehicles, whose speed according to their technical specifications or condition is less than 40 km/h, to drive on motorways?
UAЧи дозволено на автомагістралях рух механічних транспортних засобів, швидкість яких за технічною характеристикою або їхнім станом менше 40 км/год?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning the safety of high-speed traffic and the requirements for vehicles on roads with a special regime. A motorway is intended for uninterrupted, uniform flow at predictable speeds, so the presence of excessively slow vehicles creates a dangerous speed differential, provokes abrupt maneuvers, and increases the risk of collisions. For this reason, the traffic rules set specific restrictions for such roads.
This question is included in the theoretical exam to test knowledge of Section 27 of the Traffic Rules (driving on motorways), specifically clause 27.3. The regulation directly prohibits the movement of motor vehicles if, due to their technical characteristics or condition, they are unable to travel at a speed of at least 40 km/h (the only exception is for specially equipped locations). The important point is not that the driver is "driving slowly," but that the vehicle itself, by design or actual condition, cannot maintain the required speed.
If you choose the option that movement is allowed, this would be a mistake: it contradicts the direct prohibition in clause 27.3, which applies to motorways marked with sign 5.1 according to the definition in clause 1.10. In practice, this means that slow-moving equipment (some tractors, self-propelled machines, mechanisms) or a car that, due to malfunction, can only move slowly, should be transported by other means and not driven onto the motorway, so as not to create danger for other road users.
Clause 27.3
On motorways, except for specially equipped places, it is prohibited for mechanical vehicles whose speed, due to technical characteristics or condition, is less than 40 km/h to drive, as well as for herding and grazing animals within the road reservation.
Clause 1.10 (term "Motorway")
A motorway is a road that: • is specially constructed and intended for vehicle traffic, not intended for entry to or exit from adjacent territory; • has separate carriageways for each direction, divided by a median strip; • does not intersect at the same level with other roads, railways, tram tracks, pedestrian and bicycle paths, animal crossing routes, has fencing on the roadsides and median strip, and is also fenced with a mesh; • is marked with road sign 5.1 "Motorway".
Clause 33.5 — 33 "Road signs", 5 "Informational and direction signs", sign 5.1 "Motorway"
"Motorway." Used to designate roads where the corresponding traffic regimes are established in accordance with section 27 of these Rules. The sign is installed at the beginning of the motorway.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a special traffic regime applies on a motorway (marked with sign 5.1), and according to clause 27.3, it is directly prohibited for mechanical vehicles that cannot (due to technical characteristics or condition) travel at a speed of 40 km/h or more.
A motorway is a road designed for high-speed and uninterrupted traffic, marked by sign 5.1 and has a special traffic regime. On it, drivers expect the traffic flow to move at a sufficiently high and steady speed, without sudden slowdowns.
That is why Section 27 of the Traffic Rules sets additional restrictions. Clause 27.3 directly prohibits the movement of motor vehicles on motorways if their maximum speed, according to technical specifications or due to their technical condition, is less than 40 km/h. That is, the prohibition applies not only to the driver's "slow driving" but specifically to the capabilities and condition of the vehicle.
In practice, this means that vehicles that are structurally incapable of moving at 40 km/h or more (for example, certain tractors, self-propelled machines, some mechanisms) or a car that, due to a malfunction, can only move slowly, must not enter the motorway. Such vehicles create a dangerous speed difference in the traffic flow, and therefore increase the risk of collisions.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since on a motorway, according to clause 27.3 of the Traffic Rules, the movement of motor vehicles that, by their characteristics or condition, cannot reach a speed of at least 40 km/h is not allowed.