31.2. Is it allowed to install a studded tire together with a non-studded tire on the same axle of a vehicle?
UAЧи дозволяється вам встановлювати на одну вісь транспортного засобу ошиповану шину разом із неошипованою?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety in relation to the technical condition of the vehicle, specifically the correct selection of tires. The way the wheels on one axle behave directly affects stability, controllability, and braking distance, especially in winter on slippery surfaces. Such nuances are often checked in the theoretical exam because they influence the risk of skidding and loss of control even at low speeds.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the traffic rules regarding technical malfunctions and the conditions under which operation is prohibited, in particular clause 31.4.5 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine. This subclause clearly states that it is not allowed to install tires of different types on one axle, including studded together with non-studded tires. The logic of this requirement is practical: studs and the absence of studs provide different coefficients of traction, so during braking, acceleration, or turning, the wheels on one axle will work unevenly, which provokes the vehicle to veer to the side and increases the braking distance.
That is why the option about full permission does not comply with the norms of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, and the statement that this can be done at least on the rear axle is also incorrect: the prohibition applies to any axle without exceptions. To prepare for the theoretical exam, it is worth remembering the general principle from this exam question: the tires on one axle must have the same characteristics, and mixing studded and non-studded tires on one axle is not allowed by the traffic rules.
Clause 31.4.5 (d) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine
The operation of vehicles is prohibited under the law if the following technical malfunctions or non-compliance with the following requirements are present: … (g) diagonal tires are installed together with radial ones, studded and non-studded, frost-resistant and non-frost-resistant, tires of different sizes or constructions on the same axle of the vehicle, as well as tires of different models with different tread patterns for passenger cars, and different types of tread patterns for trucks.
This subclause directly prohibits the simultaneous installation of studded and non-studded tires on the same axle, as this constitutes non-compliance with technical requirements, under which vehicle operation is prohibited.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, it is not allowed to install both studded and non-studded tires on the same axle of a vehicle (Clause 31.4.5 (d)).
When preparing a car for driving, it is important that the wheels on the same axle have identical road grip characteristics. This directly affects the controllability and stability of the vehicle, especially on slippery surfaces.
The Traffic Rules of Ukraine, in clause 31.4.5 (d), classify as a technical non-compliance the situation when tires of different types are installed on the same axle, in particular studded together with non-studded tires. That is, the very fact of such a combination on one axle means that the operation of the vehicle is prohibited.
The logic behind this prohibition is simple: a studded tire and a non-studded tire have different coefficients of grip. For example, on ice, a wheel with studs may “hold” the road better, while a wheel without studs will slide more. As a result, during braking or turning, the wheels on one axle work unevenly, which can cause skidding, the car veering to the side, and an increase in braking distance.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since the Traffic Rules (clause 31.4.5 (d)) directly prohibit installing studded and non-studded tires on the same axle due to the different grip of the wheels and the increased risk of loss of stability.