48.19. On which side of a one-way road within a populated area is a driver of a goods vehicle with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t allowed to stop?
UAНа якому боці дороги з одностороннім рухом в населеному пункті водієві вантажного автомобіля з дозволеною максимальною масою понад 3,5 т дозволено зупинитися?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of the safe and correct organization of stopping in a populated area, specifically on a one-way road. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that the choice of side for stopping affects visibility, road capacity, and the safety of other road users, and that additional restrictions apply to trucks.
The question relates to the topic of stopping and parking rules (section 15 of the Traffic Rules) and associated requirements for the positioning of vehicles on lanes (clause 11.6), and also takes into account the condition of one-way traffic, which is indicated by sign 5.5. The general rule for stopping is formed by clauses 15.1–15.2: first, specially designated places or the shoulder, and if this is not possible — near the right edge of the carriageway. Although clause 15.3 in populated areas allows stopping and parking on the left on a one-way road, for trucks over 3.5 t there is a clarification from clause 11.6: the left side is permitted only in allowed cases and specifically for loading or unloading purposes.
Therefore, the option that allows stopping "on both sides in any case" is incorrect: for a truck over 3.5 t, there is no "free" right to stop on the left. The answer "only on the right side" is also incomplete, because the Traffic Rules provide an exception for a one-way road in a populated area, but only for loading operations. In practice, this means: stopping on the right remains the basic and always permissible option in the absence of prohibitions by signs/markings, and on the left, stopping is allowed only when it is really necessary for loading or unloading.
Clause 11.6
On roads with three or more lanes in one direction, trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t, tractors, self-propelled machines and mechanisms are allowed to enter the far left lane only for turning left or making a U-turn, and in populated areas on one-way roads, in addition to this, — for stopping on the left in permitted cases for the purpose of loading or unloading.
Explanation of application: this clause establishes an exception for trucks over 3.5 t in a populated area on a one-way road — stopping on the left is allowed only for loading/unloading purposes (and only where stopping is not generally prohibited by other traffic rules/signs/markings).
Clause 15.1
Stopping and parking of vehicles on the road must be carried out in specially designated places or on the shoulder.
Clause 15.2
If there are no specially designated places or a shoulder, or if stopping or parking there is impossible, they are allowed near the right edge of the carriageway (as far to the right as possible so as not to interfere with other road users).
Explanation of application: these clauses form the general rule — stopping (in the usual case) is performed on the right (or on the shoulder/in specially designated places).
Clause 15.3
In populated areas, stopping and parking of vehicles are allowed on the left side of the road, which has one lane in each direction (without tram tracks in the middle) and is not divided by a median strip, as well as on the left side of a one-way road.
Explanation of application: the clause allows stopping on the left in a populated area on a one-way road, but for trucks over 3.5 t the specific procedure/restriction regarding the left lane/left side is clarified by clause 11.6.
Clause 33.5.5 — 33 "Road Signs", 5 "Informational and Directional Signs", sign 5.5 "One-way Road"
Sign 5.5 "One-way Road" — is used to indicate a road or a separated carriageway on which vehicle traffic is carried out in only one direction across the entire width.
Explanation of application: the question directly concerns a one-way road, which is the condition for allowing stopping on the left in a populated area (clause 15.3) and for the special rule for trucks over 3.5 t (clause 11.6).
Clause 1.10 (term "Stopping")
Stopping — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or more if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, fulfilling the requirements of these Rules, or at the request of a police officer.
Clause 1.10 (term "Permitted maximum mass")
Permitted maximum mass — the mass of an equipped vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, established by the technical specification of the vehicle as the maximum allowable.
That is, the correct answer is "On the right side always, on the left side — only for loading or unloading," given that the general rule for stopping is on the right (clauses 15.1–15.2), stopping on the left on a one-way road in a populated area is generally allowed (clause 15.3), but for trucks over 3.5 t it is limited to loading/unloading purposes (clause 11.6).
On a one-way road within a populated area, a driver may sometimes stop on either the right or left side. However, for a cargo vehicle with a permitted maximum weight of over 3.5 tons, there is an important clarification that restricts the possibility of stopping on the left.
The general rule regarding stopping and parking places is as follows: first, designated areas or the shoulder should be used, and if these are unavailable or stopping there is impossible, it is allowed to stop as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway so as not to obstruct traffic. That is, the right side is the basic and permitted option for stopping in a typical situation.
Clause 15.3 of the Traffic Rules allows stopping and parking on the left side of a one-way road within populated areas. However, for cargo vehicles over 3.5 tons, this possibility is not “free” in practice, because their entry and presence in the far-left lane is restricted: on such roads, trucks are allowed to move to the left not for any stop, but only in certain cases.
That is why, for a cargo vehicle over 3.5 tons, stopping on the left on a one-way road in a populated area is allowed only when it is necessary for loading or unloading. For example, if a warehouse, ramp, or store is located on the left side and access to the work site is only possible there, then stopping on the left will be lawful. If the driver simply wants to stop “for a minute,” wait for a passenger, or take a break, the left side is not suitable for this — the right side or a specially designated place should be chosen.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "On the right side always, on the left side — only for loading or unloading," since according to the general rule, stopping is done on the right, and on the left side of a one-way road, a truck over 3.5 tons is allowed to stop only for the purpose of carrying out loading operations.