48.20. What actions must the driver of a large-sized cargo vehicle take in a traffic situation when other drivers are unable to overtake it?
UAЯкі дії повинен виконати водій великогабаритного вантажного автомобіля в дорожній ситуації, коли інші водії не можуть обігнати його?
This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning road safety on rural roads, where due to the size of the vehicle or the road situation, other participants cannot safely overtake. In such situations, a convoy quickly forms behind the large vehicle, increasing tension in the traffic flow and the risk of dangerous overtaking attempts, especially in areas with prohibitory signs or insufficient visibility.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the traffic rules regarding overtaking and oncoming passing, specifically the requirements of clause 14.4 of the Traffic Rules: the driver of a large (or slow-moving) vehicle outside a populated area must do everything possible to allow vehicles behind to pass. In practice, this means keeping as close as possible to the right edge of the carriageway, and if this is not enough and overtaking is still impossible, stopping on the shoulder if necessary to let the accumulated vehicles behind pass. This is the logic underlying the tasks in the theoretical exam, where not only knowledge of the wording is assessed, but also understanding of safe behavior in traffic flow.
Analysis of the answer options shows that inaction contradicts the direct obligation established by clause 14.4, as the driver must not create an obstacle to traffic. Turning on the hazard warning lights by itself does not solve the problem: it may warn of slow movement or danger, but does not replace the obligation to move further to the right and, if necessary, stop to allow others to pass. Therefore, the combination of "moving right plus hazard lights" is not a mandatory requirement of this clause, whereas the key correct action remains moving as far right as possible with a possible stop on the shoulder to let other vehicles pass.
Clause 14.4
If on a road outside a populated area the traffic situation does not allow overtaking of agricultural machinery with a width exceeding 2.6 m, a slow-moving or oversized vehicle, its driver must move as far to the right as possible, and if necessary — stop on the shoulder and let the vehicles behind pass.
Brief application: this clause specifically establishes the obligation of the driver of an oversized vehicle (including a truck) not to obstruct the movement behind when overtaking is impossible due to the traffic situation.
Clause 1.10 (term "Truck")
Truck — a vehicle that, by its design and equipment, is intended for the transportation of goods.
Brief application: clarifies that the vehicle in question belongs to trucks, and therefore, if it is oversized/overtaking is impossible, the requirement of clause 14.4 applies to it.
That is, the correct answer is "Move as far to the right as possible, and if necessary — stop on the shoulder and let the vehicles behind pass," given that according to clause 14.4, the driver of an oversized vehicle, if overtaking is impossible due to the traffic situation, is obliged to keep as far to the right as possible and, if necessary, stop on the shoulder to let the vehicles behind pass.
Let’s imagine a situation on a country road: a large-sized truck is moving ahead, and the road conditions (for example, a narrow carriageway, a dangerous road profile, or a no-overtaking zone) do not allow other drivers to safely overtake it. In such a case, a line of vehicles quickly forms behind the truck, and the risks increase: someone may start to get nervous and attempt a dangerous maneuver.
It is precisely for such situations that clause 14.4 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes an obligation for the driver of a large-sized vehicle: not to “hold up” the flow behind, but to do everything possible to facilitate safe passage. This means that the driver does not have the right to occupy more space on the carriageway than necessary without reason, and must move the vehicle as close as possible to the right edge.
If even driving “as far to the right as possible” does not solve the problem and overtaking is still impossible (for example, a prolonged no-overtaking zone or a section of road where, due to the truck’s size, there is not enough visibility and space), the driver must, if necessary, stop on the shoulder. The practical meaning of this is simple: to give the vehicles accumulated behind an opportunity to safely continue driving, without provoking risky overtaking maneuvers.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "Drive as far to the right as possible, and if necessary, stop on the shoulder and let the vehicles behind pass," since clause 14.4 of the Traffic Rules obliges the driver of a large-sized vehicle to facilitate the passage of vehicles behind when overtaking is impossible under the road conditions.