48.49. Which of the identification signs is installed on vehicles transporting dangerous goods?
UAЯкий із розпізнавальних знаків встановлюється на транспортних засобах, що перевозять небезпечні вантажі?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during the transportation of dangerous goods and how other road users and emergency services can quickly recognize increased risk on the road. Proper marking of such vehicles reduces the likelihood of mistakes during an accident or stop, and also helps to choose a safe distance and overtaking tactics.
Section 30 of the Traffic Rules is being tested, specifically point 30.3 regarding license plates, identification signs, inscriptions, and markings. In this block, the theoretical exam requires understanding which identification signs are used to identify dangerous goods: a separate “Dangerous Goods Information Plate” (p. 30.3 f) and a separate “Danger Sign” in the shape of a diamond (p. 30.3 g). It is precisely the combination of these two markings that provides both official identification by numbers and a visual warning about the class/type of danger.
If only one sign is chosen, the marking will be incomplete: an orange plate without a diamond does not provide quick visual understanding of the hazard class, and a diamond without an orange plate does not provide cargo identification numbers. Another option with the “Convoy” sign does not apply to dangerous goods, as it is used for organized convoys. Therefore, in this exam question, the correct answer is the option indicating the installation of both signs provided for in points 30.3 f) and 30.3 g) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine.
Clause 30.3 (Section 30 "License plates, identification marks, inscriptions and designations"), subclause d) "Dangerous goods information panel"
"Dangerous goods information panel" — a rectangular orange sign with a reflective surface and a black border. The dimensions of the sign, inscriptions of the identification numbers of the type of danger and the dangerous substance, as well as its placement on vehicles, are determined by the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road.
Application: this identification mark is installed on vehicles transporting dangerous goods for their identification and to inform about the nature of the danger.
Clause 30.3 (Section 30 "License plates, identification marks, inscriptions and designations"), subclause e) "Danger sign"
"Danger sign" — an information panel in the shape of a diamond, depicting a danger symbol. The image, dimensions, and placement of the panels on vehicles are determined by the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road.
Application: this identification mark is installed on vehicles transporting dangerous goods to indicate the class/type of danger of the cargo.
That is, the correct answer is "The second and third," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, vehicles transporting dangerous goods must have the identification marks "Dangerous goods information panel" (clause 30.3 f) and "Danger sign" (clause 30.3 g).
When transporting dangerous goods, the vehicle must be marked so that other road users and emergency services immediately understand: there is an increased risk, as well as what specific cargo is being transported. That is why the Traffic Rules provide not one, but two different identification signs for such transportation.
Clause 30.3 (f) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine specifies an identification sign in the form of an orange rectangular plate with a reflective surface. It is intended for hazard identification numbers and substance numbers, i.e., it provides official information about the specific dangerous cargo.
Separately, clause 30.3 (g) of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine provides for a "danger sign" in the form of a diamond with a special symbol (hazard class). This sign is needed so that it is visually clear, without reading the numbers, to which type of hazards the cargo belongs (for example, flammable substances, corrosive materials, etc.).
Therefore, the correct answer is "The second and third," since for the transportation of dangerous goods under clauses 30.3 (f) and 30.3 (g) of the Traffic Rules, both the orange information plate and the diamond-shaped danger sign are used.