31.16. In which case are you allowed to operate a passenger car?
UAУ якому випадку вам дозволяється експлуатація легкового автомобіля?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning road safety in relation to the technical condition of a vehicle and which malfunctions make further operation of the vehicle prohibited. In the theoretical exam, it is important not to "guess by logic," but to clearly know the list of malfunctions from section 31 of the Traffic Rules, as it specifically determines which issues make it forbidden to drive on the road.
The question tests knowledge of section 31 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, particularly points 31.4 and 31.4.7 (d), where cases are directly listed in which further operation is prohibited. In this subpoint, among the prohibited malfunctions are a non-functioning speedometer and faulty locks on the body or cab doors as provided by the vehicle's design. However, a malfunctioning coolant temperature gauge is not listed in 31.4.7 (d), so it is not formally a reason for prohibition under this point.
The practical meaning is simple: a speedometer is needed to monitor speed and comply with limits, and door locks are necessary to prevent dangerous opening of doors while driving, so these malfunctions are considered critical by the Traffic Rules. If only the coolant temperature gauge is not working, this does not directly affect the controllability and safety of other road users, although the driver should still fix the problem as soon as possible and monitor the vehicle's condition more carefully. Such wording often appears on the theoretical exam, so it is useful to remember: the correct answer is determined by the list in the Traffic Rules, not by assumptions about the "likelihood of a breakdown."
Clause 31.4
Further operation of vehicles is prohibited according to the legislation in case the following technical malfunctions and non-compliance with standard requirements are detected (including those listed in subclauses 31.4.1–31.4.7 of the Traffic Rules).
Clause 31.4.7 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
The locks of the body or cab doors, platform side fasteners, tank neck caps, driver's seat adjustment mechanism, speedometer, tachograph (if installed) provided by the design are not working.
That is, the correct answer is "The coolant temperature gauge is not working," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules (clause 31.4 and the list in clause 31.4.7), a ban on further operation is established for specifically listed malfunctions (in particular, for faulty door locks and speedometer), while malfunction of the coolant temperature gauge is not included in this list.
This question tests knowledge of Section 31 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, which lists technical malfunctions that prohibit further operation of a vehicle. The logic is simple: you need to find the option that is not included in the list of prohibited malfunctions, that is, under which operation is allowed.
For a passenger car, clause 31.4.7 (d) of the Traffic Rules directly classifies as prohibited such malfunctions as a non-working speedometer and defective door locks of the body or cab as provided by the design. This is related to traffic safety: without a speedometer, the driver cannot accurately control speed and risks violating established limits, and faulty door locks create a real danger of the doors suddenly opening while driving.
On the other hand, a non-working coolant temperature gauge is not specified in this clause as a reason for prohibiting operation. Such a malfunction does not directly affect the controllability or safety of other road users: the cooling system may remain functional, the driver simply does not receive instrument readings. At the same time, this means the driver should pay closer attention to the technical condition of the car and eliminate the malfunction as soon as possible, but as a basis for prohibiting operation, it is not established in the list of 31.4.7 (d).
Therefore, the correct answer is "The coolant temperature gauge is not working," since this malfunction is not included in the list of prohibited ones in clause 31.4.7 (d) of the Traffic Rules, whereas a faulty speedometer and door locks directly prohibit operation.