48.7. Which of the depicted road signs prohibits overtaking only for trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 tons?
UAЯкий із зображених дорожніх знаків забороняє обгін тільки вантажним автомобілям з дозволеною максимальною масою понад 3,5 т?
This is an exam question from the Ukrainian Traffic Rules concerning road signs and the safety of maneuvers on two-lane roads, where overtaking involves entering the oncoming traffic lane. In the theoretical exam, it is important not just to “recognize the picture,” but to understand exactly whom the prohibitory sign restricts and which maneuver it forbids, since a mistake during overtaking is one of the most dangerous in the traffic rules.
The question tests knowledge of Section 33 “Road Signs” of the Ukrainian Traffic Rules, group 3 “Prohibitory Signs,” specifically sign 3.27 “Overtaking by trucks prohibited,” as well as the definitions from point 1.10: “overtaking” and “permitted maximum mass.” The correct answer is the sign depicting a truck in the process of overtaking: this graphic indicates a selective prohibition that applies to trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 tons, and not to all vehicles. Other options in similar tasks usually either prohibit overtaking for all drivers (without dividing by categories), or introduce other restrictions (speed, distance, movement of certain vehicles), so they do not meet the condition “only for trucks over 3.5 tons.”
The practical meaning of this topic is as follows: a passenger car in the area of this sign may overtake if it is safe and there are no other prohibitions, while a truck over 3.5 tons may not, except for cases explicitly listed in the Traffic Rules (for example, when a single vehicle ahead is moving at less than 30 km/h). That is why in this exam question the key is to correctly distinguish whether the sign prohibits the maneuver for everyone, or sets a restriction only for a specific category of vehicles.
Clause 33.3 — 33 "Road Signs", 3 "Prohibitory Signs", sign 3.27 "Overtaking by Trucks Prohibited"
Sign 3.27 "Overtaking by Trucks Prohibited" — prohibits overtaking of all vehicles by trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t (except for single vehicles moving at less than 30 km/h, animal-drawn carts, mopeds, and two-wheeled motorcycles without a sidecar).
(Application: the prohibition specifically applies to trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t, not to all vehicles.)
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles involving entry into the oncoming traffic lane.
(Application: the question checks understanding that the sign specifically prohibits the maneuver "overtaking," not any kind of "passing".)
Clause 1.10 (term "Permitted Maximum Mass")
Permitted maximum mass — the mass of a loaded vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, established by the manufacturer as the maximum allowable.
(Application: it is by this parameter — "over 3.5 t" — that it is determined which trucks are subject to the prohibition of sign 3.27.)
Thus, the correct answer is "Sign 3.", considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, sign 3.27 prohibits overtaking specifically for trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t.
To answer this question correctly, you need to pay attention to which specific vehicles the sign prohibits overtaking for. In the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, prohibitory signs differ in whom they restrict: all drivers or only certain categories, such as trucks.
Sign 3.27 from section 33 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine establishes a prohibition on overtaking specifically for trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 tons. It is easy to recognize by its graphic depiction: it shows a truck in an overtaking situation, meaning the sign directly indicates that the restriction applies to trucks, not to all vehicles.
To understand the difference, imagine a situation on a two-lane road: a passenger car may overtake if there are no other prohibitions and it is safe, but a truck over 3.5 tons on this section is not allowed to overtake, even if there is sufficient visibility and a free oncoming lane. This is exactly how the selective prohibition established by this sign works.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Sign 3.", because it prohibits overtaking only for trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 tons, which is directly defined by its meaning and purpose according to the Traffic Rules.