48.9. Is the driver of a goods vehicle with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t allowed, within the area of effect of the depicted road sign, to overtake a vehicle combination moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h?
UAЧи дозволено водієві вантажного автомобіля з дозволеною масою понад 3,5 т у зоні дії зображеного дорожнього знака виконати обгін транспортного состава, що рухається зі швидкістю менш ніж 30 км/год.?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of prohibitory road signs and exceptions to overtaking bans, which directly affects road safety. Proper understanding of when overtaking is allowed helps the driver assess the risks of entering the oncoming lane and avoid violating traffic rules in real-life road situations.
Within the theoretical exam, the question relates to section 33 "Road Signs," specifically prohibitory signs, and in particular to sign 3.27 "Overtaking by trucks is prohibited." It checks whether the candidate knows that for trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 tons, there is a general ban on overtaking, but with a clearly defined exception: it is allowed to overtake single vehicles moving at less than 30 km/h. An important detail from the terms and notes of the Traffic Rules: "single" includes not only individual vehicles but also a road train (vehicle combination), meaning even a vehicle combination may fall under this exception if moving at low speed.
The explanation of the options in the exam boils down to the logic of the sign and its exception. The "allowed" option is correct because sign 3.27 is not an absolute prohibition: it directly permits overtaking a single vehicle moving slower than 30 km/h, and a vehicle combination is also considered single according to the Ukrainian Traffic Rules. The "prohibited" option would only be correct if the vehicle ahead is moving faster than 30 km/h or if there are no conditions for safe overtaking as defined by "overtaking" (entering the oncoming lane), but the presence of sign 3.27 itself does not cancel the specified exception.
Clause 33.3 — 33 “Road Signs”, 3 “Prohibitory Signs”, sign 3.27 “Overtaking by Trucks Prohibited”
Sign 3.27 “Overtaking by Trucks Prohibited” prohibits trucks with a permitted maximum mass of over 3.5 t from overtaking all vehicles (except single vehicles moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h). Tractors are prohibited from overtaking all vehicles except single bicycles and horse-drawn carts (sledges). The sign is valid from the place of installation to the nearest intersection beyond it, and in populated areas where there are no intersections — to the end of the populated area. The effect of the sign is not interrupted at exits from adjacent territories to the road and at crossings (junctions) with field, forest, and other unpaved roads, before which no priority signs are installed. The area of the sign's effect may be reduced by installing sign 3.28 at the end of its area of effect.
Clause 33.3 — 33 “Road Signs”, 3 “Prohibitory Signs”, sign 3.25 “Overtaking Prohibited” (note regarding “single”)
Single vehicles are considered to be individual vehicles, road trains, as well as a towing vehicle coupled with a towed vehicle.
Clause 1.10 (term “Road Train (Transport Combination)”)
Road train (transport combination) — a motor vehicle connected to one or more trailers.
Clause 1.10 (term “Overtaking”)
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Clause 1.10 (term “Permitted Maximum Mass”)
Permitted maximum mass — the mass of an equipped vehicle with cargo, driver, and passengers, established by the manufacturer as the maximum allowable.
Thus, the correct answer is “Permitted.”, considering that sign 3.27 prohibits overtaking by trucks over 3.5 t, but makes an exception for overtaking single vehicles moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h, and a road train (transport combination), according to the note in the Traffic Rules, also belongs to “single” vehicles.
Road sign 3.27 is a prohibitory sign and sets a restriction specifically for trucks with a permitted maximum weight of over 3.5 t: in its zone of effect, such vehicles are prohibited from overtaking.
At the same time, the Rules provide a direct exception for this sign: the prohibition does not apply to overtaking single vehicles moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h. That is, if the vehicle ahead is moving slower than 30 km/h, the driver of the truck may overtake without violating the requirements of the sign.
An important point in this question is what constitutes a “single” vehicle. The explanations to the Traffic Rules state that not only individual vehicles are considered single, but also road trains (vehicle combinations), as well as a vehicle towing another. Therefore, in this case, a vehicle combination also falls under the definition of “single” and may be overtaken if it is moving slower than 30 km/h.
For example, if a truck over 3.5 t is moving in the zone of sign 3.27 and a road train ahead is slowly moving at a speed of 25 km/h, overtaking will be permitted precisely due to the speed exception.
Thus, the correct answer is "Permitted," since sign 3.27 prohibits overtaking for trucks over 3.5 t, but allows overtaking single vehicles, including vehicle combinations, if they are moving at a speed of less than 30 km/h.