3.5. Is the driver of the blue vehicle allowed to overtake the vehicle escorting a convoy and moving with an activated green flashing beacon?
UAЧи дозволено водієві синього автомобіля виконати випередження автомобіля що супроводжує колону і рухається з увімкненим зеленим проблисковим маячком?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of the rules for safe interaction with vehicles that have special light signals. Such situations are directly related to road safety, as a convoy under escort moves under special conditions, and any "cutting in" or maneuvers nearby can create a hazardous situation and interfere with the performance of official duties.
The question checks the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the use and priority of flashing beacons, specifically paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 of the Traffic Rules. A green flashing beacon (sometimes together with a blue one) is used on a vehicle that is escorting and usually closes the convoy, thus signaling that the convoy is still ongoing. According to paragraph 3.4, overtaking and passing such vehicles, as well as the convoys they escort, are strictly prohibited; it is also forbidden to drive in the adjacent lane at the speed of the convoy or to take a place in it.
Among the answer options, the correct one is the one that establishes a complete prohibition of the maneuver: the Traffic Rules do not provide exceptions "at low speed" or "if safety is observed," so the statement about the possibility of overtaking up to 30 km/h is incorrect. Likewise, the option allowing it "in any case" is also wrong, because for the theoretical exam it is important to remember: the very fact of a green (or blue-green) beacon being on the escort vehicle means a special traffic regime is in effect, and any overtaking at this time contradicts the traffic rules.
Clause 3.4
"It is prohibited to overtake and pass vehicles with flashing beacons of blue and red or only red color, as well as green or blue and green color, and the vehicles (columns) accompanied by them, as well as to drive in adjacent lanes at the speed of the column or to take a place in the column."
This clause directly prohibits passing (and overtaking) a vehicle accompanying a column and moving with an activated green flashing beacon.
Clause 3.3
A green flashing beacon (alone or together with a blue flashing beacon) is used on a vehicle that accompanies a column of vehicles and, as a rule, closes such a column; after this vehicle passes, the movement restrictions imposed during the escort are canceled.
This clause is needed to recognize the situation: a green beacon means that in front of you is an escort vehicle (the closing one) to which the prohibition from clause 3.4 applies.
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, passing an escort vehicle of a column with an activated green (or blue-green) flashing beacon is directly prohibited by clause 3.4.
In this situation, the blue car is approaching a vehicle that is moving with an activated green flashing beacon and is escorting a convoy. For the driver, this is an unambiguous signal: an organized convoy is moving nearby or ahead, and special restrictions apply to it.
The green flashing beacon is used on vehicles escorting a convoy and, as a rule, closing it. That is, the appearance of such a vehicle means that the convoy is still ongoing, and until this “closing” vehicle has passed, other drivers must comply with the established escort requirements.
Clause 3.4 of the Traffic Rules directly prohibits overtaking or passing vehicles with activated flashing beacons, in particular green (or blue-green) ones, and also prohibits any actions that actually result in “cutting into” the escorted convoy or moving alongside it at the convoy’s pace. Passing a vehicle with a green beacon is precisely a violation of this prohibition, as it changes the order of movement relative to the convoy and its escort.
For example, even if it seems that the lane is clear and the maneuver can be performed safely, the very fact that the green beacon is on means: you may not pass this vehicle until the escort is complete, that is, until the convoy has fully passed and the restrictions are no longer relevant.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since clause 3.4 of the Traffic Rules forbids passing a vehicle with an activated green flashing beacon that is escorting and closing a convoy.