33.3.52. Is the driver of the blue car allowed to overtake the truck moving at a speed of 50 km/h?
UAЧи дозволено водієві синього автомобіля виконати обгін вантажного автомобіля, що рухається зі швидкістю 50 км/год.?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during overtaking and passing, where even the smallest mistake can lead to a head-on collision. Such situations are especially dangerous in areas with limited visibility or difficult road conditions, which is why the traffic rules provide clear prohibitions and exceptions that are important to know for the theoretical exam.
The question tests knowledge of Section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine "Road Signs," specifically the prohibitory sign 3.25 "Overtaking Prohibited." Its requirement is simple: in the zone of this sign, overtaking is prohibited for all vehicles, and an exception is possible only when the vehicle ahead is moving alone at a speed of less than 30 km/h. If the speed of the vehicle ahead is more than 30 km/h, the exception does not apply, and entering the oncoming lane for overtaking is a violation, even if there is only one truck ahead.
The analysis of the answer options in this exam question comes down to applying the exception: the statement that the maneuver is allowed is incorrect, because the vehicle ahead is moving faster than 30 km/h, so sign 3.25 continues to apply in full. The correct conclusion for the theoretical exam: in the zone of the "Overtaking Prohibited" sign and when the vehicle ahead is moving at 50 km/h, overtaking is not allowed.
Clause 33.3 — 33 "Road Signs", 3 "Prohibitory Signs", sign 3.25 "Overtaking Prohibited"
Sign 3.25 "Overtaking Prohibited" forbids overtaking all vehicles, except for single vehicles moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h (single vehicles are considered to be individual vehicles, road trains, as well as a towing vehicle coupled with the towed vehicle). The area of effect of the sign extends 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 effect of the sign is not interrupted at places where roads adjoin from adjacent territories or at intersections (junctions) with field, forest, and other unpaved roads, before which no priority signs are installed. The area of effect of the sign may be reduced by installing sign 3.26 "End of Overtaking Prohibition" at the end of its effect zone.
Thus, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", given that within the area of effect of sign 3.25, overtaking is allowed only as an exception for single vehicles moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h, whereas the truck is moving at 50 km/h.
A prohibitory sign 3.25 "Overtaking is prohibited" is installed on this section of the road. This means that the driver is not allowed to enter the oncoming traffic lane to overtake vehicles within the area of this sign.
The only exception to this prohibition is for single vehicles moving at less than 30 km/h. That is, for overtaking to be allowed, two conditions must be met simultaneously: the vehicle ahead must be single and its speed must be less than 30 km/h.
In our situation, a truck is moving ahead at a speed of 50 km/h. Even if it is a single vehicle, the speed of 50 km/h does not fall under the exception of "less than 30 km/h," so the overtaking prohibition continues to apply.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since in the area of sign 3.25 overtaking is allowed only for single vehicles moving at less than 30 km/h, and the truck is moving at 50 km/h.