35.13. If you get behind the wheel of a car after another driver, what should be the sequence of your actions?
UAЯкщо Ви сідаєте за кермо автомобіля після іншого водія, яка повинна бути послідовність Ваших дій?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about the safe preparation of a driver before starting to drive when another person takes the wheel. Proper adjustment of the driver’s seat directly affects visibility, steering accuracy, reaction speed, and fatigue level, and therefore the overall safety of road traffic. In practice, spending a few minutes adjusting the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors reduces the risk of mistakes during maneuvers and helps fulfill the requirement to remain attentive and not be distracted from driving.
The question tests knowledge of Section 2 of the Traffic Rules (Duties and rights of drivers, in particular clause 2.3) and the logic of preparation for driving from Section 10 (Starting to move and changing direction, clause 10.1). In the theoretical exam, it is important to understand the sequence: first, the driver adjusts the seat (to confidently reach the pedals and keep their back with stable support), then adjusts the steering column to the position of their hands, next sets the mirrors from their own seating position, and only after that fastens the seat belt, as required by the traffic rules.
Options where the seat belt is suggested to be fastened at the beginning are incorrect: the belt restricts movement and interferes with properly adjusting the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors, which may cause the driver to drive with the wrong body position or with someone else’s mirror settings. Similarly, it is a mistake to start with the mirrors, as they must be set according to the specific seating position; if the seat or steering wheel is changed first, the mirrors will again be incorrectly adjusted. That is why the correct sequence in this exam question is: first the seat, then the steering column, after that the mirrors, and finally the seat belt.
Clause 2.3 (Section 2 "Duties and Rights of Drivers", subclause "a")
"To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: a) before driving, check and ensure the technical serviceability and completeness of the vehicle, the correct placement and securing of the load."
This obligation also covers preparation for driving (so that the driver can safely use the controls), which in practice begins with adjusting the seating position and the workplace.
Clause 2.3 (Section 2 "Duties and Rights of Drivers", subclause "b")
"To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: b) be attentive, monitor the traffic situation, respond appropriately to its changes, monitor the correct placement and securing of the load, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving while on the road."
To fulfill this requirement (to have proper visibility and not be distracted), the driver adjusts the seat, steering column, and rearview mirrors before starting to drive.
Clause 10.1 (Section 10 "Starting to Move and Changing Its Direction")
"Before starting to move, changing lanes, turning, or making a U-turn, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users."
In practice, this requires proper adjustment of the mirrors (as well as the seat and steering wheel position) so that the driver can monitor the situation behind and to the sides before starting to move and during maneuvers.
Clause 2.3 (Section 2 "Duties and Rights of Drivers", subclause "d")
"To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: f) use seat belts and not transport passengers who are not wearing seat belts, if the vehicle is equipped with them (on a motorcycle or moped — in a fastened motorcycle helmet)."
This clause directly requires fastening the seat belt before starting to move; in the given sequence, it is done after adjustments so that the belt does not interfere with adjusting the seat/steering wheel/mirrors.
Thus, the correct answer is "Adjust the seat position, adjust the steering column position, adjust the rearview mirrors, fasten the seat belt," considering that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged before starting to move to ensure the possibility of safe driving and control of the traffic situation (clauses 2.3, 10.1) and must use seat belts (clause 2.3.d).
When you take the driver's seat after another driver, you should remember a simple logic for preparing the workspace: first, adjust your position in the car, then adjust the controls to fit this position, next check your visibility, and only after that fasten your seat belt. This sequence corresponds to the requirement of the Traffic Rules that obliges the driver, before starting to drive, to ensure safe control and monitoring of the traffic situation, as well as to comply with the requirements regarding the use of seat belts.
The first step is always adjusting the seat. The previous driver may have been shorter or taller, sitting closer to or farther from the pedals, and in such a position you may either be unable to fully press the pedals or have to stretch to reach them, lifting your back off the seat. The correct seat position should allow you to confidently operate the pedals and maintain a stable posture without unnecessary strain.
The second step is adjusting the steering column (if it is adjustable). After you have “fixed” the correct distance and height of your seating position, you need to adjust the steering wheel for your hands: so that control is precise and your arms remain in a natural, slightly bent position. If you do it the other way around and adjust the steering wheel first and then move the seat, the steering wheel adjustment will become incorrect again.
The third step is adjusting the rearview mirrors. Mirrors are adjusted only after you are already sitting in “your” position and the steering wheel is in the correct place. Otherwise, the mirrors will be set for the previous driver, and when changing lanes or turning, you will have to unnecessarily change your body position or “guess” the situation behind you, which contradicts the principle of constant control of the traffic situation.
The last step is to fasten your seat belt. The Traffic Rules require the driver to use the seat belt, but in practice, you should fasten it after all adjustments: with the belt fastened, it is harder to reach the seat, steering wheel, and mirror adjustment elements, which increases the risk that the driver will drive off with an improperly prepared workspace.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Adjust the seat position, adjust the steering column position, adjust the rearview mirrors, fasten the seat belt,” because first the driver selects the correct seating position and control positions, then ensures proper visibility in the mirrors, and only after that secures themselves with the belt for a safe start of the journey.