48.52. The variable driving period of a driver, except for drivers of vehicles carrying heavy, and/or oversized, and/or dangerous cargo, taking into account overtime work, must not exceed:
UAЗмінний період керування водія, за винятком водіїв транспортних засобів, що здійснюють перевезення великовагових, і (або) великогабаритних, і (або) небезпечних вантажів, з урахуванням понаднормових робіт не повинен перевищувати:
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This exam question focuses on road safety by preventing driver fatigue. The Traffic Rules of Ukraine (PDR) explicitly state that a driver is prohibited from driving in a fatigued state (item 2.9) and is required to be attentive and constantly monitor the road situation (item 2.3). That is why theoretical exams often include regulations that limit the duration of driving during a shift, since exceeding these limits directly increases the risk of traffic accidents.
The question tests knowledge of the work and rest regime for drivers in the context of traffic rules and related regulatory acts. It is important to understand that the specific figure for the maximum duration of shift driving (including overtime work) is established not directly by the PDR, but by a special document: item 3.1 of the Regulation on Working Hours and Rest Time for Drivers of Wheeled Vehicles (Order of the Ministry of Transport and Communications No. 340). The wording also emphasizes the exception for the transportation of heavy, oversized, and dangerous goods, for which separate, special requirements may apply.
When evaluating the options, 8 hours is too strict a restriction for the general case and does not correspond to the established norm, while 12 hours contradicts the very logic of preventing fatigue and the attentiveness requirements for drivers set out in the PDR of Ukraine. The correct answer is the average and normatively confirmed limit, which applies to most drivers (except for special transports) and even takes into account overtime work, so that the driver does not spend a dangerously long time behind the wheel during one shift.
Clause 2.9 (subclause "v")
It is prohibited for the driver: to operate a vehicle while ill, fatigued, or under the influence of medicinal drugs that reduce attention and reaction speed.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "b")
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: be attentive, monitor the road situation, respond appropriately to its changes, monitor the correct placement and securing of cargo, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving while on the road.
Additionally (important for understanding the specific number in the question): the specific limit of "9 hours" as a shift driving period (taking into account overtime work) is not directly established by the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, but is determined by clause 3.1 of the "Regulation on working hours and rest periods for drivers of wheeled vehicles," approved by the order of the Ministry of Transport and Communications No. 340 dated 07.06.2010.
Thus, the correct answer is "9 hours," considering that the Traffic Rules prohibit driving in a fatigued state (clause 2.9) and require the driver to be constantly attentive (clause 2.3), while the specific limit for the duration of shift driving to prevent overfatigue is established by a special regulatory act (order No. 340).
When preparing for the exam, it is important to distinguish between the standard driving regime and special conditions for certain categories of transportation. This question concerns the variable driving period of a driver, that is, the total time during which the driver operates a vehicle within a single shift.
The regulation sets a specific limit on the duration of driving in a shift, taking into account overtime work. This means that even if the employer allows for overtime, the total time the driver is actually behind the wheel during that shift cannot exceed the established limit. For example, if the schedule plans for 8 hours of driving, this time can only be increased within the boundaries that do not surpass the overall permissible limit.
The question specifically highlights an exception: drivers transporting overweight, oversized, or dangerous cargo are subject to other, special requirements. But since the question directly refers to the case “except” for such drivers, we apply the general rule for other types of transportation.
The relevant regulations regarding drivers’ working and rest time specify that the variable driving period for a driver (not from the special transportation categories), together with overtime work, is limited to 9 hours. This figure is the maximum allowable driving duration within a shift.
Therefore, the correct answer is "9 hours," since the variable driving period for a driver within a single shift, including overtime driving, for regular transportation cannot exceed the established limit of 9 hours.