45.7. In which case is the operation of the vehicle permitted?
UAУ якому випадку дозволяється експлуатація транспортного засобу?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine checks the understanding of the technical serviceability of a vehicle and which malfunctions of lighting devices actually affect road safety. In the theoretical exam, it is important to distinguish between “critical” violations that impair visibility and the conspicuity of the car, and equipment elements that are not mandatory for every model.
According to the traffic rules, the topic belongs to the section on the technical condition and equipment of vehicles, specifically to point 31.4 and subpoint 31.4.3 “External lighting devices”. The logic here is simple: operation is prohibited only in the presence of malfunctions and nonconformities directly listed in this point. That is why, in such tasks, each option must be checked against the list of prohibited cases.
Improper headlight adjustment falls under a dangerous nonconformity with the design requirements and lighting mode: incorrectly adjusted headlights can dazzle oncoming drivers or insufficiently illuminate the road. The use of diffusers that do not correspond to the type of lighting device is directly mentioned in point 31.4.3 as grounds for prohibiting operation, because this changes the light distribution and can make the car less visible or dangerous to others.
On the other hand, fog lights in the Traffic Rules of Ukraine are indicated as additional equipment (the wording “may be additionally equipped” in the note to 31.4.3), meaning their absence in itself is not a technical malfunction that prohibits operation. In practice, this means: a car may legally drive without fog lights if other external lighting devices are functional and compliant, and the driver correctly uses the standard low beam and parking lights.
Clause 31.4
"Operation of vehicles is prohibited, according to the legislation, in the presence of the following technical malfunctions and non-compliance with the following requirements:"
This clause establishes a general principle: operation is prohibited only in the presence of malfunctions/non-compliance directly listed further in subclauses 31.4.x.
Clause 31.4.3 (External lighting devices)
"External lighting devices: a) the number, type, color, placement, and operating mode of external lighting devices do not comply with the vehicle's design requirements; c) the left headlamp does not light up in low beam mode; d) lighting devices lack diffusers or use diffusers and bulbs that do not match the type of this lighting device; e) the diffusers of lighting devices are tinted or coated in a way that reduces their transparency or light transmission."
This subclause defines specific malfunctions/non-compliance of external lighting devices that prohibit operation. The absence of fog lights as such is not named here as a "malfunction" that prohibits operation.
Clause 31.4.3 (Note 1)
"Motorcycles (mopeds) may be additionally equipped with one fog light, other mechanical vehicles — with two. Fog lights must be installed at a height of at least 250 mm from the road surface (but not higher than the low beam headlights), symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and no more than 400 mm from the outer width dimension."
This note directly indicates that fog lights are additional (optional) equipment, and also sets requirements for their placement if installed.
That is, the correct answer is "Fog lights are absent.", given that according to the Traffic Rules, fog lights are considered additional equipment ("may be additionally equipped"), and the prohibition on operation in clause 31.4 applies only to malfunctions/non-compliance explicitly defined in the list.
To answer this question, you need to work backwards: the Rules do not provide a list of "permitted malfunctions"; instead, clause 31.4 of the Traffic Rules contains a list of technical malfunctions and nonconformities under which the operation of a vehicle is prohibited. Therefore, the correct option is the one that does not fall under the prohibition.
In clause 31.4.3 of the Traffic Rules, which concerns external lighting devices, the prohibition is related to hazardous violations: when the lighting devices do not meet the design requirements (by type, color, placement, or operating mode), when the left headlight does not work in low beam mode, or when there are problems with diffusers (they are missing or of the wrong type), as well as when a coating/tint is applied that reduces light transmission. Such situations directly affect the driver's visibility and the vehicle's visibility to others, so operation in these cases is prohibited.
At the same time, fog lights are not a mandatory element for every vehicle. The notes to 31.4.3 state that vehicles may be additionally equipped with fog lights (for motorcycles/mopeds — one, for other motor vehicles — two). The wording "may be additionally equipped" means that their absence in itself is not a malfunction that automatically prohibits operation. Therefore, a car without fog lights may be legally operated if the other lighting devices are functional and meet the design requirements.
Thus, the correct answer is "Fog lights are missing," since the Traffic Rules do not require the mandatory presence of fog lights, and the prohibition on operation in 31.4.3 concerns other specific violations and malfunctions of external lighting devices.