51.28. Drivers of which vehicles are required to use wheel chocks when stopping or parking on mountain roads, as well as on ascents and descents?
UAВодії яких транспортних засобів під час зупинки або стоянки на гірських дорогах, а також на підйомах і спусках обов'язково повинні користуватися противідкотними упорами?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine tests knowledge of the rules for safe stopping and parking in areas with an increased risk of a vehicle rolling away unintentionally. On mountain roads, as well as on ascents and descents, even a brief stop can be dangerous due to the force of gravity, road surface conditions, or overloading, so the traffic rules require additional wheel securing measures.
According to the content of the question, the student should be familiar with the section of the Traffic Rules regarding driving on mountain roads and steep descents, particularly point 28.2, which directly defines the group of drivers who are required to use wheel chocks during stops or parking. It is also useful to remember the definitions of the terms "stop" and "parking" from point 1.10, as the requirement applies to both types of movement cessation, which often appears in the theoretical exam.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to checking whether the vehicle is included in the list in point 28.2: trucks with a permitted maximum mass of more than 3.5 tons fall under this rule, as do tractors and buses. Therefore, individual options that mention only one category are incomplete, and the correct answer is the one that combines all three categories defined by the traffic rules. In practice, this means that when stopping or parking on a slope, the driver should not rely solely on the brakes, but must additionally secure the vehicle with chocks to prevent rolling and accidents.
Clause 28.2
On mountain roads and steep descents, the driver of a truck with a permitted maximum mass exceeding 3.5 t, a tractor, or a bus must: a) use special mountain brakes, if they are installed on the vehicle by the manufacturer; b) when stopping or parking on ascents and descents, use wheel chocks.
Brief application: this clause directly specifies the list of vehicles (truck over 3.5 t, tractor, bus) whose drivers are required to use wheel chocks when stopping or parking on ascents and descents.
Clause 1.10 (term “Stop”)
Stop — cessation of movement of a vehicle for up to 5 minutes or more if necessary for boarding (alighting) passengers or loading (unloading) cargo, fulfilling the requirements of these Rules (yielding, obeying the instructions of a traffic controller, traffic signals, etc.).
Brief application: the question covers the case of a “stop,” so the obligation to use wheel chocks under clause 28.2(b) also applies to such cessation of movement.
Clause 1.10 (term “Parking”)
Parking — cessation of movement of a vehicle for more than 5 minutes for reasons not related to the need to fulfill the requirements of these Rules, boarding (alighting) passengers, or loading (unloading) cargo.
Brief application: the question covers the case of “parking,” so the obligation to use wheel chocks under clause 28.2(b) also applies to such cessation of movement.
Thus, the correct answer is “Answers 1, 2, and 3.”, given that according to clause 28.2(b), drivers of trucks (over 3.5 t), tractors, and buses are required to use wheel chocks when stopping or parking on ascents and descents.
When stopping or parking on an ascent or descent, the main risk is that the vehicle may roll away on its own due to the force of gravity. This is dangerous even if the driver has stopped only briefly: both during a short stop and a longer parking period, the consequences can be equally serious.
That is why Clause 28.2 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine directly establishes the obligation to use wheel chocks on mountain roads, as well as on ascents and descents during stops or parking for certain vehicles. This is not a recommendation, but a mandatory safety requirement.
This requirement applies to three categories: trucks with a permitted maximum weight of over 3.5 tons, tractors, and buses. The logic of the rule is simple: such vehicles usually have significant mass or specific construction features, so the risk of rolling on slopes is higher, and the possible consequences for other road users are more severe.
For example, if a heavy truck stops on a descent near the roadside, the brake alone may not be sufficient due to the slope or road surface condition; a wheel chock creates an additional mechanical barrier to wheel movement. Similarly, a bus stopping on an ascent to let passengers off, or a tractor making a brief stop on a mountain road, must also ensure immobility with chocks.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Answers 1, 2, and 3," since Clause 28.2 of the Traffic Rules requires drivers of trucks over 3.5 tons, tractors, and buses to use wheel chocks when stopping or parking on ascents and descents.