33.3.64. Under which condition are you allowed to overtake the truck in the situation shown?
UAЗа якої з умов Вам буде дозволено виконати обгін вантажного автомобіля в зображеній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine checks how well a driver understands the prohibition of overtaking and its exceptions, since head-on collisions most often occur during overtaking. In real conditions, it is important to be able to correctly read road signs and markings and not to make dangerous maneuvers "out of habit," especially when there is slow-moving traffic ahead.
In content, this theoretical exam task relates to Section 33 "Road Signs" (prohibitory sign 3.25 "Overtaking Prohibited") and Section 34 "Road Markings" (horizontal marking 1.1 solid line). Both elements simultaneously prohibit standard overtaking with entry into the oncoming lane, but have the same exception: overtaking a single vehicle is allowed only when it is moving at less than 30 km/h, and provided the maneuver is safe. Therefore, the key factor here is not the type of vehicle, but the actual speed and "singleness" of the vehicle ahead.
The analysis of answer options comes down to checking the threshold speed for the exception. The statement about "less than 40 km/h" is incorrect, because neither sign 3.25 nor marking 1.1 provide such a relaxation. The option "strictly prohibited" is also incorrect, since the traffic rules directly provide an exception for a single vehicle moving slower than 30 km/h. The correct option remains the one with the threshold of less than 30 km/h, because this is the condition equally established by both the sign and the solid line.
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.
Applied to the situation in the question: even in the presence of sign 3.25, overtaking is allowed as an exception if the vehicle ahead is single and moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h.
Clause 34.1 — 34 "Road markings", 1 "Horizontal markings", marking 1.1 (narrow solid line)
Marking 1.1 (narrow solid line) separates traffic flows of opposite directions and marks the boundaries of traffic lanes on roads; it marks the boundaries of the carriageway, entry to which is prohibited.
Crossing line 1.1 is prohibited. As an exception, provided road safety is ensured, it is allowed to cross this line to bypass a stationary obstacle, as well as to overtake single vehicles moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h.
Applied to the situation in the question: crossing the solid line 1.1 for overtaking is possible only under the same condition (single vehicle and speed less than 30 km/h), that is, the exception "matches" sign 3.25.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking is the passing of one or more vehicles, involving entry into the oncoming traffic lane.
Applied to the situation in the question: since overtaking by definition may involve entering the oncoming lane (which usually involves crossing markings, including 1.1), the prohibitions and exceptions directly provided by sign 3.25 and marking 1.1 apply.
Thus, the correct answer is "If the truck is moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h," given that sign 3.25 and marking 1.1 simultaneously establish a prohibition on overtaking/crossing the solid line, but provide the same exception for overtaking a single vehicle moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h.
In the depicted situation, you are driving behind a truck on a section of road where the prohibitory sign 3.25 "Overtaking prohibited" is installed, as well as marking 1.1 (solid line), which, as a general rule, must not be crossed. This means that ordinary overtaking with entry into the oncoming lane is prohibited here.
At the same time, both sign 3.25 and marking 1.1 have the same exception: it is allowed to overtake a single vehicle if it is moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h. That is, the Traffic Rules directly provide for a situation where a slow single vehicle should not force other drivers to travel in a "convoy" behind it for a long time, but only if it is indeed moving slower than 30 km/h.
Therefore, the key condition in this question is not the type of vehicle (truck or passenger car), but its actual speed at the moment and the fact that it is single. If the truck is moving, for example, at 40–50 km/h, overtaking in the area of sign 3.25 and across the solid line will be a violation. If it is moving slower than 30 km/h, then the exception applies, and overtaking is allowed if safe conditions are present.
Thus, the correct answer is "If the truck is moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h," since both sign 3.25 and marking 1.1 allow overtaking only of a single vehicle moving slower than 30 km/h.
