40.22. What signals must a motorcycle driver give in the absence or malfunction of brake lights?
UAЯкі сигнали повинен подавати водій мотоцикла у разі відсутності або несправності сигналів гальмування?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety and communication between road users when standard lighting devices cannot perform their function. For a motorcyclist, a functioning brake light is especially important, as two-wheeled vehicles are less visible in traffic, and therefore the driver behind must receive a clear warning about slowing down or stopping.
The question tests knowledge of Section 9 of the Traffic Rules, namely “Warning Signals” (item 9.3), which describes hand signals as a substitute for light signals in case of their absence or malfunction. In the context of the theoretical exam, it is important to remember that the brake signal according to item 9.3 is given by raising the left or right hand upward, meaning either hand is allowed, as long as the rider can maintain control of the motorcycle in a specific situation.
Among the answer options, the correct one is the gesture with the hand raised upward, because this is exactly how the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly define the hand brake signal. Options involving a circular motion of the hand do not comply with the rules of the road and may be confused with informal gestures, so in exam tasks they should be rejected as not provided for by item 9.3. In practice, this knowledge helps to timely warn those moving behind, reduce the risk of a collision, and act correctly even in the event of motorcycle electrical equipment failure.
Clause 9.3 (Section 9 "Warning Signals")
In the absence or malfunction of turn signal lights, signals are given by hand: for a left turn — the left arm is extended to the side, for a right turn — the right arm is extended to the side or the left arm is bent at the elbow and raised upward. The braking signal is given by raising the left or right arm upward.
Application: if the motorcycle does not have a braking signal (brake light) or it is malfunctioning, the driver is required to give a warning braking signal by hand — raising the left or right arm upward.
That is, the correct answer is "The signal is given by raising the left or right arm upward," since, according to the definition in Clause 9.3 of the Traffic Rules, it is directly established that the braking signal, in the absence or malfunction of the corresponding light signals, is given by raising the left or right arm upward.
While driving, other road users rely on the external light signals of the vehicle, particularly the brake signal, to timely understand that the driver is slowing down or stopping. For a motorcycle, this is especially important because it is less visible in traffic.
Clause 9.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine states: if there are no brake lights or they are malfunctioning, the driver must give a warning signal by hand. This is necessary to replace the light signal with a method understandable to everyone and to give those moving behind time to react and increase their distance.
In practice, this looks as follows: when a motorcycle driver starts braking but the brake light does not work, they give a clear hand gesture by raising their hand upwards. Importantly, it is allowed to use either the left or right hand so that the driver can give the signal in a specific situation without losing control of the motorcycle.
Therefore, the correct answer is "The signal is given with the left or right hand raised upwards," because according to clause 9.3 of the Traffic Rules, in the absence or malfunction of brake lights, the motorcycle driver is obliged to replace the light brake signal with a clear hand signal.