45.5. In the presence of which malfunction is the operation of the vehicle permitted?
UAЗа наявності якої несправності дозволяється експлуатація транспортного засобу?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) concerning road safety in relation to the technical condition of a vehicle. In the theoretical exam, it is often checked whether the driver understands which malfunctions are critical and make the use of the car dangerous, and which mainly affect comfort. Knowing this helps to properly assess risks before driving and avoid violating traffic rules.
The question tests the section of the PDR about technical malfunctions and the conditions under which operation is prohibited, specifically item 31.4 and sub-item 31.4.7. The logic is as follows: if a malfunction creates a real threat (fire, loss of control, impaired visibility), operation is prohibited. If the malfunction is not included in the list of prohibitions in 31.4.7 and does not directly affect controllability and visibility, operation may be allowed.
Among the given options, defective fuel tank cap locks are directly prohibited in 31.4.7, as there is a risk of fuel leakage and ignition. A faulty driver's seat adjustment mechanism is also listed in 31.4.7, because an unstable seating position can interfere with control during acceleration or braking. A non-functioning device for heating and defogging the glass also prohibits operation according to 31.4.7, since fogging or icing impairs visibility. However, the window regulator as such is not specified in item 31.4.7: it is an inconvenience, but by itself is not grounds for prohibiting operation if other safety-related systems are functioning.
Practically, this means: before driving, it is important to distinguish "operation prohibited" from a situation where a malfunction occurred on the road and the rule from item 31.5 applies, allowing movement to a parking or repair location with safety precautions. Such nuances regularly appear in tests, so understanding the list in item 31.4.7 helps to confidently pass the theoretical exam and make the right decisions on the road.
Clause 31.4
The operation of vehicles is prohibited according to the law in the presence of technical malfunctions and non-compliance with the requirements of standards specified in clauses 31.4.1–31.4.7 of these Rules.
Clause 31.4.7
Other structural elements: operation of the vehicle is prohibited if, in particular:
d) the fuel tank cap locks do not work;
e) the driver's seat adjustment mechanism does not work;
f) the device for heating and defogging the windshield does not work.
Clause 31.5
If any of the malfunctions specified in clause 31.4 of these Rules occurs on the road, the driver must take measures to eliminate them, and if this is not possible — proceed by the shortest route to a parking or repair location, observing safety measures.
Thus, the correct answer is "The window regulator does not work," since such a malfunction is not included in the list of malfunctions for which operation is prohibited by clause 31.4 (in particular 31.4.7), unlike faulty fuel tank cap locks, driver's seat adjustment mechanism, and windshield heating/defogging devices.
When the Traffic Rules (PDR) ask about the operation of a vehicle, it refers to the possibility of using the car for its intended purpose in normal mode, that is, going out on the road and driving without violating the requirements regarding technical condition. For this, the PDR defines a list of malfunctions for which operation is prohibited, because they create a real danger.
According to clause 31.4.7 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, operation is prohibited, in particular, if elements that affect safety and can cause an emergency are faulty or missing. For example, if the fuel tank cap locking device does not work, there is a risk of fuel leaking or evaporating, which increases the risk of fire. If the driver's seat locking/adjustment mechanism is faulty, the driver may lose a stable position during braking or acceleration, which directly affects control. If the heating and defrosting of the windows do not work, in cold weather or during humidity, the glass quickly fogs up or freezes, worsening visibility and thus road safety.
On the other hand, a non-working window regulator, although it creates inconvenience, is not in itself a malfunction that, according to clause 31.4.7, makes operation prohibited. It does not impair the car's ability to brake, steer, be visible, or provide the necessary visibility through the glass (provided that other systems related to visibility are functional). Therefore, among the given options, it is precisely this malfunction that allows operation.
Thus, the correct answer is "The window regulator does not work," since this malfunction is not included in the list of clause 31.4.7 of the Traffic Rules, which prohibits operation due to a direct threat to traffic safety.