43.24. Is it allowed to carry passengers without motorcycle helmets?
UAЧи можна перевозити пасажирів без мотошоломів?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning basic road safety during trips on two-wheeled vehicles. A motorcycle helmet reduces the risk of serious injury in case of a fall or collision, so the traffic rules set clear requirements not only for the driver but also for the passenger of a motorcycle or moped.
The question tests knowledge of the responsibilities of the driver and passengers in the sections of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine regarding the use of safety equipment and the behavior of road users (points 2.3 (d) and 5.2 (b)). The essence of the requirement is that during movement, both the driver and the passenger must be wearing a fastened motorcycle helmet: simply having a helmet without fastening it does not meet the standard, and the driver is obliged not to start or continue moving if the passenger does not comply with this requirement.
The analysis of options in the theoretical exam is straightforward: the statement that it is allowed to ride without motorcycle helmets contradicts a direct prohibition; the option “only in a motorcycle helmet” is also incomplete, because the Traffic Rules require a fastened helmet. In practice, this means that even for a short distance, at low speed, or “within a yard,” carrying a passenger is only permitted if the motorcycle helmet is worn and fastened.
Clause 2.3 [g]
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: d) while driving a motorcycle or moped, wear a fastened motorcycle helmet and not transport passengers without fastened motorcycle helmets.
This clause directly prohibits the driver from transporting passengers on a motorcycle/moped if the passenger does not have a fastened motorcycle helmet (that is, without a helmet or with an unfastened helmet).
Clause 5.2 [b]
Passengers, when using a vehicle, must: b) while riding a motorcycle or moped, wear a fastened motorcycle helmet.
This clause establishes the obligation for a motorcycle/moped passenger to wear a fastened motorcycle helmet while riding.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Not allowed – only with a fastened motorcycle helmet," given that according to the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged not to transport passengers without fastened motorcycle helmets, and the passenger is obliged to wear a fastened motorcycle helmet while riding.
This question refers to the transportation of passengers on two-wheeled vehicles of categories A and A1, that is, on a motorcycle or moped. For such vehicles, the Rules specifically establish requirements regarding motorcycle helmets while driving.
According to clause 2.3 (d), the driver, when operating a motorcycle or moped, is required to use a fastened motorcycle helmet while driving. This requirement applies not only to the driver but also to the safety of transporting people in general, since a motorcycle helmet is a mandatory means of protection in the event of a fall or collision.
Additionally, clause 5.2 (b) directly prohibits transporting passengers without fastened motorcycle helmets. That is, even if the passenger is holding the helmet in their hands, or it is worn but not fastened, this is still considered a violation, and the driver does not have the right to start moving or continue the trip.
For example, if you are giving a passenger a ride on a motorcycle to the nearest stop or driving at a low speed "for a short distance," the requirement does not change: the passenger must be specifically in a fastened motorcycle helmet; otherwise, transportation is prohibited.
Therefore, the correct answer is "No – only in a fastened motorcycle helmet," since the Traffic Rules require the driver of a motorcycle/moped not to transport passengers without fastened motorcycle helmets; otherwise, this is a violation of safety requirements while driving.