33.3.71. Which of the depicted road signs prohibits stopping of vehicles?
UAЯкий із зображених дорожніх знаків забороняє зупинку транспортних засобів?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns the safety of stopping and parking in places where any interruption of movement may create obstacles or increase the risk of an accident. For the theoretical test, it is important to quickly recognize prohibitory road signs and understand how they affect driver behavior in traffic flow, near intersections, public transport stops, or on narrow sections of the road.
The question tests knowledge of Section 33 of the Traffic Rules, specifically group 3 "Prohibitory signs," and the ability to distinguish between the terms "stop" and "parking" from clause 1.10. The key logic is simple: sign 3.34 "Stopping prohibited" establishes the strictest "parking" ban, as it prohibits both stopping and parking; unlike sign 3.35 "Parking prohibited," which only restricts long-term vehicle leaving, but does not prohibit a brief stop for boarding/alighting or loading/unloading if necessary.
Analysis of options in such tickets usually comes down to elimination: if among the images there are several signs that prohibit only parking, and one sign that restricts the movement of motor vehicles, then the only one that directly prohibits stopping is sign 3.34. It is also important to remember exceptions in the Traffic Rules: the effect of 3.34 does not apply to route vehicles and taxis, and if there is plate 7.18 "Except for persons with disabilities," it may not apply to persons with disabilities. For most drivers, this means: in the area of 3.34, it is not allowed to intentionally stop even "for a minute," because such a stop is already a violation of the traffic rules.
Clause 1.10 (term “Stop”)
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.
This definition is needed to distinguish a “stop” from “parking” and to correctly apply prohibitory signs.
Clause 1.10 (term “Parking”)
Parking — cessation of movement of a vehicle for more than 5 minutes for reasons not related to fulfilling the requirements of these Rules, boarding (alighting) passengers, or loading (unloading) cargo.
This definition is important because some signs prohibit only parking, but not stopping.
Clause 33.3 — 33 “Road signs”, 3 “Prohibitory signs”, sign 3.34 “Stopping prohibited”
Stopping prohibited. Stopping and parking of vehicles are prohibited.
This provision directly establishes that sign 3.34 prohibits not only “parking” but also any “stop” (as defined in clause 1.10).
Clause 33.3 — 33 “Road signs”, 3 “Prohibitory signs”, sign 3.35 “Parking prohibited”
Parking prohibited. Parking of vehicles is prohibited.
This clause is important for distinction: sign 3.35 does not prohibit “stopping,” only “parking.”
Clause 33.7 — 33 “Road signs”, 7 “Plates to road signs”, plate 7.18 “Except for persons with disabilities”
Except for persons with disabilities.
The plate is used together with a sign and indicates an exception to its effect (i.e., the restriction does not apply to persons with disabilities — within the meaning of this plate and its use with the sign).
Thus, the correct answer is “Sign 5.”, given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, it is sign 3.34 “Stopping prohibited” that directly establishes the prohibition of stopping (and at the same time parking) of vehicles.
When solving this type of question, it is important to clearly distinguish between two concepts in the Traffic Rules: stopping and parking. Stopping is the cessation of movement for a short period (for example, to let a passenger out or to yield to a pedestrian), while parking is a longer cessation of movement. Accordingly, a sign that prohibits stopping automatically prohibits parking as well, since parking is simply a longer form of stopping.
In Section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, sign 3.34 is called “Stopping prohibited.” Its requirement is the strictest among the “parking” prohibitions: within its zone of effect, the driver is not allowed to stop even briefly for boarding/alighting, nor to leave the car parked. That is, any intentional cessation of movement near this sign will be a violation.
Other similar signs, which are often confused with it, usually apply only to parking (that is, they prohibit leaving the car for a long time), but allow a short stop. Also, some other prohibitory signs may restrict the movement of certain types of vehicles, but this is not a direct prohibition of stopping as an action. Therefore, when there is only one sign in the set of options that specifically means “Stopping prohibited,” we choose it.
Sign 3.34 has exceptions provided by the Traffic Rules: its effect does not apply to route vehicles and taxis, and if an appropriate plate is present, it may also not apply to drivers with disabilities. However, for an ordinary driver without such grounds, this sign means a complete prohibition of stopping within its zone of effect.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Sign 5,” since this is sign 3.34 “Stopping prohibited,” which according to the Traffic Rules prohibits any stopping, and therefore also parking of vehicles within its zone of effect.