35.51. You may use audible warning signals in a populated area at any time if you consider it necessary:
UAВи можете подавати звукові сигнали в населеному пункті будь-коли, якщо вважаєте це необхідним:
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety and driving culture in the city, where excessive noise and sharp sound stimuli can distract drivers and pedestrians and provoke dangerous situations. In populated areas, there are many intersections, crosswalks, and vulnerable road users, so the traffic rules restrict the use of the horn, leaving it only as a tool for warning of real danger.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules about warning signals, specifically the requirements of points 9.5 and 9.6. According to point 9.5, within populated areas, the use of the horn is generally prohibited, and the only exception is when it is impossible to prevent a traffic accident without it. Point 9.6 further clarifies that the signal to attract attention during overtaking is allowed only outside populated areas; that is, in the city, it is not permitted to use the horn 'as a warning' for communication between drivers if there is no threat of an accident.
The 'yes' option contains a mistake: it replaces the rule of 'only in exceptional cases' with 'at your own discretion,' which contradicts the Traffic Rules and the logic of urban safety. Instead, the correct approach for the theoretical exam and driving practice is as follows: the horn in the city is not used for impatience, dissatisfaction, 'reminding' about the green light, or moving in a traffic jam; if you need to attract attention without an emergency threat, choose other methods (light signals, gestures), and leave the horn for situations where it truly helps to avoid an accident.
Clause 9.5
The use of sound signals in populated areas is prohibited, except in cases where it is impossible to prevent a traffic accident without it.
This clause directly establishes a general prohibition on the use of the horn within populated areas and defines the only exception: preventing a traffic accident.
Clause 9.6
To attract the attention of the driver of the vehicle being overtaken, it is allowed to use the horn only outside populated areas.
This clause emphasizes that “warning” signaling during overtaking as a way to attract attention is permitted only outside populated areas, and within a populated area — is not a valid reason for using the horn.
Therefore, the correct answer is "No.", given that according to the Traffic Rules, the use of sound signals in populated areas is generally prohibited and allowed only in the exceptional case when it is impossible to prevent a traffic accident without it.
In a populated area, the horn is not a tool to be used "at your own discretion." The rules set a clear restriction to avoid creating unnecessary noise and distracting other road users, since cities have many pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, intersections, and traffic lights.
According to paragraph 9.5 of the Traffic Rules, in populated areas, using the horn is allowed only in exceptional situations: when it is impossible to prevent a traffic accident without it. That is, the horn is not used "for convenience" or as an emotional reaction, but as a warning about a real and immediate danger. For example, if a pedestrian suddenly steps onto the roadway in front of a car, or another driver begins a dangerous maneuver and there is a risk of collision, a short horn signal can help avoid an accident.
Paragraph 9.6 of the Traffic Rules further explains another permitted case for using the horn, but this applies to driving outside populated areas: to attract the attention of the driver of a vehicle being overtaken. This emphasizes that in the city, such "warning" signals for communication between drivers are not the norm and are not allowed unless there is a risk of an accident.
Therefore, honking in a populated area "whenever you deem it necessary" (for example, to hurry someone in a traffic jam, express dissatisfaction with slow movement, or "remind" someone about a green traffic light) is not allowed, because this is not accident prevention and contradicts the requirements of the Traffic Rules.
Thus, the correct answer is "No," since in a populated area the horn is permitted only when it is impossible to prevent an accident without it (p. 9.5), and its use to attract attention during overtaking is allowed only outside populated areas (p. 9.6).