33.3.15. Which of the cars is parked in violation of the Traffic Rules in the depicted situation within a populated area?
UAЯкий з автомобілів поставлено на стоянку в населеному пункті з порушенням Правил дорожнього руху в зображеній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of stopping and parking rules within a populated area, as well as the ability to correctly interpret road signs and their supplementary plates. Such situations directly affect road safety: improper parking in a restricted area reduces visibility, obstructs other road users, and can create hazardous conditions. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the difference between a “stop” and “parking” (para. 1.10), since sign 3.34 prohibits both actions.
The question belongs to Section 15 “Stopping and Parking” and Section 33 “Road Signs” of the traffic rules. In a populated area, when the carriageway has one lane in each direction, there are no tram tracks in the middle, and there is no solid line marking 1.1, stopping and parking on the left side of the road are generally allowed (para. 15.3). However, it is also necessary to consider the effect of the prohibitory sign 3.34 “Stopping Prohibited,” which applies only to the side of the road where it is installed and prohibits both stopping and parking within its zone of effect (Section 33, sign 3.34).
The key nuance in this task is the supplementary plate 7.2.3 “Zone of Effect” under the sign: it marks the end of the prohibition zone exactly at the place where the sign is installed. Therefore, a vehicle parked before this sign on the right side of the road is within the prohibited zone, while those located after the sign are no longer violating its requirement; on the opposite side of the road, the sign’s effect also does not apply. That is why the correct answer is the option where only one car is identified as the violator: other answers incorrectly “add” vehicles that are either outside the effect zone of 3.34 due to plate 7.2.3, or are on the opposite side of the road where the prohibition does not apply.
Clause 1.10 (terms "Stop" and "Parking")
Stop — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or more if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, or to fulfill the requirements of these Rules.
Parking — cessation of movement of a vehicle for more than 5 minutes for reasons not related to the need to fulfill the requirements of these Rules, boarding (alighting) passengers, or loading (unloading) cargo.
Application: sign 3.34 prohibits both "stop" and "parking," so it is important to understand both terms from the Traffic Rules for the answer.
Clause 15.1 (Section 15 "Stop and Parking")
Stopping and parking of vehicles on the road must be carried out in specially designated places or on the shoulder.
Application: the basic rule that determines the priority of parking locations and the general procedure for its implementation.
Clause 15.2 (Section 15 "Stop and Parking")
If there are no specially designated places or shoulders, or if stopping or parking there is impossible, they are allowed near the right edge of the carriageway (as far to the right as possible so as not to obstruct other road users).
Application: confirms the general "right edge" rule if there are no other conditions/permissions.
Clause 15.3 (Section 15 "Stop and Parking")
In populated areas, stopping and parking of vehicles are allowed on the left side of the road, which has one lane in each direction (without tram tracks in the middle) and is not divided by marking 1.1, as well as on the left side of a one-way road. If the road has a boulevard or a dividing strip, stopping and parking of vehicles near them are prohibited.
Application: explains why in a populated area on such a road (one lane in each direction and without marking 1.1), stopping/parking on the left side is generally allowed — unless prohibited by signs.
Clause 33.3 — 33 "Road Signs", 3 "Prohibitory Signs", sign 3.34 "Stopping Prohibited"
Sign 3.34 "Stopping Prohibited" prohibits stopping and parking of vehicles, except for taxis engaged in boarding or alighting passengers (loading or unloading cargo).
The area of effect of the sign is from the place of installation to the nearest intersection beyond it, and in populated areas where there are no intersections — to the end of the populated area. The sign applies only to the side of the road on which it is installed.
Application: this sign specifically creates the prohibition of parking (and stopping) on the side of the road where it is installed, within the defined area of effect.
Clause 33.7 — 33 "Road Signs", 7 "Plates to Road Signs", plate 7.2.3 "Area of Effect"
Plate 7.2.3 "Area of Effect" indicates the end of the area of effect of signs 3.34, 3.35, 3.36, 3.37.
Application: in the depicted situation, a plate with a downward arrow means that at the place where the sign with this plate is installed, the prohibition zone ends; accordingly, a vehicle parked BEFORE the sign on this side of the road is within the prohibited zone.
Clause 33.7 — 33 "Road Signs", 7 "Plates to Road Signs", plate 7.2.2 "Area of Effect" (related)
Plate 7.2.2 "Area of Effect" is used to indicate (clarify) the area of effect of a road sign.
Application: in similar tasks, "Area of Effect" plates are used to clarify the boundaries of prohibitions (in particular for sign 3.34); in this ticket, the key is plate 7.2.3 as the "end of the area of effect."
That is, the correct answer is "Red," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, sign 3.34 "Stopping Prohibited" prohibits stopping and parking within its area of effect on the corresponding side of the road, and plate 7.2.3 indicates that this prohibited zone ends at the place where the sign is installed, so the red car is in the prohibited zone (before the sign).
In this situation, we are in a populated area. The roadway has one lane in each direction, there are no tram tracks in the middle, and there is no solid line marking 1.1 separating the traffic flows. Under such conditions, according to the requirements of paragraph 15.3 of the Traffic Rules, stopping and parking in populated areas are also allowed on the left side of the road. Therefore, simply parking on the left side here is not a violation.
Next, it is necessary to assess the effect of the road sign. On the right, there is sign 3.34 "No stopping," which prohibits both stopping and parking of vehicles on the side of the road where it is installed. That is, on the right side of the road within its zone of effect, stopping and parking are not allowed.
Below the sign, there is a plate 7.2.3 "End of zone," which indicates the end of the zone of effect for this sign. This means that the prohibition was in force up to the place where the sign is installed, and at the point where the sign with this plate stands, the prohibition ends. Accordingly, vehicles located after this point no longer violate the requirement of sign 3.34.
It is also important to remember that prohibitory signs apply only to the side of the road on which they are installed. Therefore, on the opposite side of the road, the effect of sign 3.34 does not apply, and parking there may be allowed according to general rules.
Thus, the correct answer is "Red," since it is parked on the right side of the road within the zone of effect of sign 3.34 "No stopping," and plate 7.2.3 indicates that the prohibition ends only at the location of the sign, meaning that up to this point, stopping and parking are prohibited.