35.75. What do white or clear lights at the rear of a vehicle indicate:
UAЩо означають білі або прозорі вогні в задній частині автомобіля:
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning road safety and the correct identification of a vehicle’s light signals. In real-life situations, rear lights often indicate a driver’s intention to perform a maneuver, and misinterpreting the signal can lead to hitting a pedestrian, a collision in a parking lot, or a dangerous situation in a courtyard.
The question tests knowledge of Section 31 “Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment,” specifically the requirements for “External lighting devices” (clause 31.4.3), where white color at the rear is permitted as an exception only for reversing lights and license plate illumination. It is also directly related to Section 10 “Starting off and changing direction” (clause 10.9), since reversing is potentially more dangerous and requires increased attention, and white (transparent) rear lights specifically warn other road users that the car is starting or performing a reversing maneuver.
Among the answer options, the correct one is the one that links white/transparent lights at the rear of the car to the operation of the reversing lights: they turn on when reverse gear is engaged and signal movement (or intention to move) backwards, additionally illuminating the area behind the vehicle in the dark. The option about “stopped” is incorrect, because stopping is indicated by other signals (red brake lights or hazard warning lights), not by white rear lights. The statement about “malfunction” is also wrong: a malfunction is not determined by white rear lights; instead, the Traffic Rules clearly regulate permissible colors, and white at the rear is normal specifically for reversing lights (not to be confused with license plate illumination).
Understanding this rule is useful not only for the theoretical exam: if you see white lights at the rear of a vehicle in a parking lot or courtyard, you should expect that the car may suddenly reverse and cross your path. That is why learning about light signals in the traffic rules helps predict the actions of others and reduces the risk of accidents in tight and low-visibility areas.
Clause 31.4.3 — 31 "Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment", 31.4 "External lighting devices"
The operation of vehicles is prohibited if they are equipped with lighting devices and reflectors whose color does not comply with the requirements of the Traffic Rules: red in the front, and white in the rear (except for reversing lights and the rear license plate illumination lamp).
Explanation of the application of the clause: since white (transparent) color at the rear is allowed as an exception specifically for reversing lights (and license plate illumination), the appearance of white lights at the rear of the vehicle (not to be confused with license plate illumination) means that the reversing lights are on, i.e., the vehicle is moving (or intends to move) in reverse.
Clause 10.9 — 10 "Starting to move and changing its direction"
Reversing is allowed provided that this maneuver will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users. If necessary, the driver must seek assistance from other persons.
Explanation of the application of the clause: reversing lights (white/transparent lights at the rear) serve as a warning to other road users about the execution of a maneuver that, according to the Traffic Rules, is potentially more dangerous and requires increased attention.
That is, the correct answer is "The vehicle is moving in reverse," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, white lights at the rear are allowed as an exception specifically for reversing lights, which are activated when moving in reverse.
At the rear of the vehicle, a white or "clear" light indicates the operation of the reverse light. It is easy to distinguish from other rear lights: tail and brake lights shine red, turn indicators are usually yellow, and the white light at the rear is specifically intended to indicate reversing.
According to the requirements of the Traffic Rules, reverse lights are a light signal that turns on when the reverse gear is engaged. That is, it serves as a warning to other road users that the driver is about to start or is performing a reversing maneuver. This is why this signal is perceived as a sign of increased caution: the vehicle may suddenly back out of a parking space, driveway, parking spot, or start reversing in a tight area.
Practical example: if you see a car in a parking lot with white lights illuminated at the rear, you should expect that it is about to move backwards and may cross your path. At night, these lights additionally illuminate the area behind the vehicle, but their main purpose for other drivers and pedestrians is as a signal—to indicate reversing.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The vehicle is moving in reverse," since the white (clear) lights at the rear are reverse lights, which turn on when the reverse gear is engaged and warn others about the reversing maneuver.