33.3.66. Is the driver of the grey car allowed to overtake in the situation shown?
UAЧи дозволено водієві сірого автомобіля виконати обгін у зображеній ситуації?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe execution of overtaking under restrictions imposed by road signs and horizontal markings. In real traffic, such situations occur frequently: a driver sees a 'No overtaking' sign and a solid line, but must understand that the traffic rules sometimes provide exceptions. The ability to notice an exception and apply it correctly directly affects safety and the outcome of the theoretical exam.
The question tests knowledge of Section 33 'Road Signs' (sign 3.25 'No overtaking') and Section 34 'Road Markings' (marking 1.1), as well as understanding of the term 'overtaking' from clause 1.10. The key idea: sign 3.25 does not prohibit overtaking absolutely everyone, but allows overtaking single vehicles moving at less than 30 km/h; the traffic rules also consider a towing vehicle coupled with a towed vehicle as 'single.' A similar exception is provided by solid line 1.1: it can be crossed to overtake a single vehicle moving slower than 30 km/h, provided the maneuver is safe.
The analysis of answer options comes down to the speed threshold, which is directly set by the rules: 30 km/h, not 40. Therefore, the statement about the possibility of overtaking at speeds less than 40 km/h is incorrect, and a categorical prohibition of overtaking in this situation is also wrong, since both sign 3.25 and marking 1.1 have the same exception for single vehicles (including a coupled pair when towing). For preparation for the theoretical exam, it is important to remember: in such questions, the decisive factor is specifically 'less than 30 km/h' and the correct understanding of which vehicles the Traffic Rules of Ukraine consider as single vehicles.
Clause 1.10 (term “Overtaking”)
Overtaking is passing one or more vehicles involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Clause 33.3 — 33 “Road signs”, 3 “Prohibitory signs”, sign 3.25 “Overtaking prohibited”
Sign 3.25 “Overtaking prohibited” forbids overtaking of 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 a towed vehicle).
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.
Clause 34.1 — 34 “Road markings”, 1 “Horizontal markings”, marking 1.1
Marking 1.1 (narrow solid line) separates traffic flows of opposite directions and marks the boundaries of traffic lanes on roads; marks the boundaries of the carriageway where entry is prohibited; marks the boundaries of vehicle parking spaces, parking areas, and the edge of the carriageway of roads not classified as motorways according to traffic conditions. Crossing the line is prohibited.
As an exception, provided road safety is ensured, it is allowed to cross this line to bypass a stationary obstacle whose dimensions do not allow for safe bypassing without crossing this line, as well as to overtake single vehicles moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h.
Thus, the correct answer is “Allowed, if the speed of the vehicle being overtaken is less than 30 km/h,” given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, sign 3.25 and marking 1.1 prohibit overtaking, but contain an exception for overtaking single vehicles (including a towing vehicle coupled with a towed vehicle) moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h.
In the situation shown in the image, the driver of the gray car sees two restrictions at once: the prohibitory sign 3.25 "Overtaking is prohibited" and the solid line marking 1.1, which, as a general rule, must not be crossed. Therefore, the first thought is usually: overtaking is prohibited.
However, the Traffic Rules provide an exception for sign 3.25. This sign does not prohibit overtaking absolutely all vehicles, but allows overtaking single vehicles moving at less than 30 km/h. It is important to understand who is considered "single": this includes not only solitary cars, but also road trains and a towing vehicle coupled with a towed vehicle.
The picture shows exactly such towing: one vehicle is pulling another in a coupling. According to the definition in the Traffic Rules, such a combination is equated to a single vehicle. That is, under sign 3.25, overtaking is possible only if this combination is moving slowly, namely at a speed of less than 30 km/h.
The second obstacle is marking 1.1. Crossing it is prohibited, but here too the Traffic Rules establish an exception: provided it is safe, it is allowed to cross 1.1 to overtake a single vehicle moving at less than 30 km/h. Thus, both the sign and the solid line "work" the same way: overtaking is possible only if the overtaken vehicle's speed is less than 30 km/h.
Therefore, the driver of the gray car has the right to overtake only when the vehicle in front (the towing vehicle coupled with the towed one) is moving slower than 30 km/h, and provided that the maneuver will be safe.
Thus, the correct answer is "Allowed, if the speed of the vehicle being overtaken is less than 30 km/h," since sign 3.25 and marking 1.1 contain an exception for overtaking single vehicles (including during towing) moving slower than 30 km/h.