45.9. In case of which malfunction is further movement prohibited, even to the place of repair or parking?
UAУ разі виникнення якої несправності заборонено подальший рух навіть до місця ремонту або стоянки?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety and the technical condition of a vehicle while driving. It checks whether the driver understands the difference between malfunctions that allow cautious driving to a repair location and critical breakdowns that require an immediate stop. Such knowledge directly affects the risk of traffic accidents, as a technical malfunction can make a car uncontrollable or unpredictable for other road users.
In terms of content, this question relates to the section of the Traffic Rules on the operation and technical condition of vehicles, specifically to the provisions of points 31.5 and 31.6. The theoretical exam tests the ability to apply the rule: in general, it is allowed to drive to a parking place or repair shop while observing safety measures, but there are exceptions when further movement is strictly prohibited. Such exceptions include situations where the service brake system does not provide the ability to stop the vehicle even when moving at minimum speed (a steering failure is equally critical)—in this case, continuing to drive is not allowed at all, and usually stopping and arranging for towing is required.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to assessing the level of danger. Failure of the exhaust system can cause increased noise, smoke, or health risks, but according to the wording of this exam question, it is not a reason for an absolute prohibition of movement "even to the place of repair" under point 31.6. A faulty windshield wiper only becomes a reason for prohibiting further movement during rain or snowfall and only on the side where the steering wheel is located, meaning this is a conditional prohibition, not a universal one. In contrast, a brake malfunction that does not allow the vehicle to stop even at minimum speed is critical and is therefore singled out in the traffic rules as an unconditional reason to immediately stop driving.
Clause 31.5
If a technical malfunction of the vehicle occurs on the road, the driver must take measures to eliminate it, and if this is not possible — proceed with the necessary safety precautions to the place of parking or repair, except in cases provided for in clause 31.6 of these Rules.
Brief application: this clause allows driving to the place of repair/parking only when the malfunction is not included in the list for which further movement is prohibited by clause 31.6.
Clause 31.6
Further movement of vehicles is prohibited if: a) the service braking system or steering does not allow the driver to stop the vehicle or perform a maneuver while driving at minimum speed; b) at night or in conditions of insufficient visibility, the headlamps or rear position lamps do not illuminate; c) during rain or snowfall, the windshield wiper on the driver's side does not work; d) the coupling device of a road train is damaged.
Brief application: in the event of a malfunction specified in subparagraph "a" (when the service braking system does not allow the vehicle to be stopped even at minimum speed), further movement is completely prohibited — movement to the place of repair or parking is not allowed.
That is, the correct answer is: "The faulty service braking system does not allow the driver to stop the vehicle while driving even at minimum speed.", given that by definition, clause 31.6 of the Traffic Rules directly prohibits further movement in the event of such a malfunction of the service braking system (even to the place of repair/parking), and clause 31.5 allows movement to repair only as an exception, which does not apply to cases from clause 31.6.
In this question, it is important to pay attention to the wording "further movement is prohibited even to the place of repair or parking." That is, it is not about a malfunction with which you can carefully drive on, but about one that makes movement dangerous even at minimal speed.
Clause 31.6 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine defines cases when movement must be stopped immediately. One of the key such cases is when the service brake system (or steering) does not allow the driver to stop the vehicle or perform a maneuver while moving at minimal speed. The logic of the rule is simple: if the car does not stop even when you are driving slowly, you cannot guarantee safety for yourself or other road users.
Imagine a situation: you have left the parking lot and are moving very slowly, but when you press the brake pedal, the car hardly slows down. Even at 5–10 km/h, you may not have time to stop in front of a pedestrian, obstacle, or another car. In such a state, any attempt to "slowly drive to the service" only increases the risk of an accident, so the Traffic Rules directly prohibit further movement — only the organization of safe elimination of the consequences is allowed, for example, towing.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "A faulty service brake system does not allow the driver to stop the vehicle even at minimal speed," because according to clause 31.6 of the Traffic Rules, it is prohibited to continue driving with such a malfunction in any direction, since the inability to reliably stop the car makes movement dangerous.