33.3.76. Is towing allowed directly?
UAЧи дозволено буксирування прямо?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning road safety and the correct execution of maneuvers within the area of effect of prohibitory road signs. Towing always increases risks on the road: the braking distance becomes longer, handling becomes more difficult, and there are restrictions regarding speed and trajectory. Therefore, theoretical exams often include situations where it is necessary to clearly understand what restrictions a specific sign imposes and how it is applied in practice.
The question tests knowledge of Section 33 "Road Signs" of the Traffic Rules, specifically prohibitory signs and the effect of sign 3.4 "Movement with a trailer is prohibited" (clause 33.3). It is important to remember that this sign prohibits not only the movement of trucks and tractors with trailers of any type, but also directly prohibits towing of motor vehicles within its area of effect. That is, if a vehicle is pulling another car with a rope, rigid coupling, or in any other way, this falls under the prohibition.
The analysis of the options here comes down to distinguishing between "movement with a trailer" and "towing." The option about prohibition is correct because the Traffic Rules norm regarding sign 3.4 specifically mentions the prohibition of towing, and it applies to all motor vehicles regardless of the towing method. The option about permission is incorrect: even if a passenger car as such is not prohibited from driving with a trailer under this sign, if it is towing another motor vehicle, its movement in this area becomes inadmissible.
Clause 33.3 — 33 "Road Signs", 3 "Prohibitory Signs", sign 3.4 "Movement with Trailer Prohibited"
"The movement of trucks and tractors with trailers of any type, as well as towing of motor vehicles, is prohibited."
Brief application: in the area of sign 3.4, towing of motor vehicles (regardless of the towing method) is specifically prohibited, therefore movement "straight" while towing is not allowed.
Clause 1.10 (term "Towing")
"Towing — the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle."
Clause 1.10 (term "Motor Vehicle")
"Motor vehicle — a vehicle driven by an engine. This term applies to tractors, self-propelled machines and mechanisms, as well as trolleybuses and vehicles with an electric motor of more than 3 kW."
That is, the correct answer is "Prohibited.", considering that sign 3.4 directly prohibits towing of motor vehicles in its area of effect.
After the intersection, a prohibitory sign 3.4 "No trailers allowed" (section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine) is installed. Its purpose is not limited only to cases when a vehicle is moving with a trailer as cargo. This sign also applies to situations when a vehicle is actually towing another motor vehicle.
Towing, by its nature, means moving with an "attached" vehicle, that is, with an additional object behind, which moves not independently, but due to the traction of the towing vehicle. Therefore, within the area of sign 3.4, any towing of motor vehicles is not allowed, regardless of whether it is towing with a rope, a rigid coupling, or in any other way.
It is important not to confuse towing with a passenger car moving with a trailer. Sign 3.4 does not prohibit a passenger car from moving with a trailer, but if a passenger car is towing another car (i.e., performing towing), it already falls under the prohibition of this sign.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Prohibited," since sign 3.4 does not allow towing of motor vehicles within its area of effect.