33.3.75. Is it permitted for a passenger car to proceed straight ahead in this situation?
UAЧи дозволено рух легкового автомобіля прямо в даній ситуації?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests the driver's attention to prohibitory road signs and the correct interpretation of their application. In real traffic, such situations often arise after intersections where a restriction begins to apply, and a misunderstanding of the sign can lead to traffic violations and dangerous maneuvers.
The question concerns Section 33 "Road Signs", group 3 "Prohibitory Signs", specifically sign 3.4 "Movement of trucks and tractors with trailers is prohibited." In the theoretical exam, it is important not to "broaden" the meaning of the sign: it prohibits the movement of trucks and tractors if they are driving with a trailer of any type, and also prohibits towing of motor vehicles. A passenger car with a trailer is not included in the list of vehicles prohibited by this sign, and a regular trailer is not considered towing, because towing refers to moving one vehicle by another.
Therefore, the option "allowed" is justified: the restriction of sign 3.4 is addressed to cargo vehicles and tractors with a trailer and towing situations, not to passenger cars with a trailer. On the other hand, the answer "prohibited" would only be correct if it concerned a truck or tractor with a trailer, or if the vehicle was actually towing another vehicle, not simply moving with a trailer in normal mode.
Clause 33.3 — 33 "Road signs", 3 "Prohibitory signs", sign 3.4 "Movement of trucks and tractors with trailers is prohibited"
The movement of trucks and tractors with trailers of any type, as well as towing of motor vehicles, is prohibited.
Clause 1.10 (term "Passenger car")
Passenger car — a car with no more than nine seats including the driver's seat, which by its design and equipment is intended for the transportation of passengers and their luggage.
Clause 1.10 (term "Truck")
Truck — a car which by its design and equipment is intended for the transportation of goods.
Clause 1.10 (term "Trailer")
Trailer — a vehicle designed to move in conjunction with a motor vehicle.
Clause 1.10 (term "Towing")
Towing — the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle using a coupling device (rigid or flexible) or by partial loading onto a platform (support device).
That is, the correct answer is "Allowed.", considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, sign 3.4 prohibits movement only for trucks and tractors with trailers and towing, and a passenger car with a trailer is not included in the list of vehicles prohibited by this sign.
In this situation, after the intersection, the prohibitory sign 3.4 from section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine comes into effect. It is important to correctly determine which vehicles it applies to, and not to “add” restrictions that are not specified in the rules.
Sign 3.4 prohibits the movement of trucks and tractors if they are driving with a trailer of any type, and also prohibits the movement of vehicles that are towing mechanical vehicles. That is, this sign is specifically addressed to trucks and tractors with trailers, as well as towing situations.
The image shows a passenger car with a trailer. Passenger cars with trailers are not listed among the prohibitions for sign 3.4, and therefore they are not subject to this sign. Likewise, there are no signs of towing here: a trailer moving as a regular trailer is not considered towing a mechanical vehicle.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Allowed," since sign 3.4 only prohibits the movement of trucks and tractors with trailers and towing, and a passenger car with a trailer does not fall under this prohibition.