52.44. What is the minimum number of drivers assigned to bus routes longer than 500 km?
UAЯку мінімальну кількість водіїв направляють на автобусні маршрути протяжністю понад 500 км?
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This exam question focuses on the safety of passenger transportation and the prevention of driver fatigue during long-distance trips. Such tasks are included in the theoretical exam so that future drivers understand: adhering to work and rest schedules is just as important as complying with traffic rules, since fatigue directly affects reaction time, attentiveness, and the risk of accidents.
In essence, it tests knowledge of regulations related to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine in the field of transportation organization, in particular the "Regulation on the Working Time and Rest Time of Drivers of Wheeled Vehicles" (Order of the Ministry of Transport and Communications No. 340). The traffic rules themselves do not contain a direct provision that determines the minimum number of drivers depending on the route length; instead, point 3.5 of this Regulation directly sets a requirement for routes over 500 km: two drivers are assigned to the trip, and the driving time is distributed between them approximately equally.
The analysis of answer options is logical: the option "one is enough" contradicts the mandatory requirement for routes over 500 km and does not guarantee compliance with work and rest schedules; "two" corresponds to the norm of point 3.5 and the idea of changing drivers on the road; "three" may occur in practice by the carrier's decision, but as a minimum number is not established for this case. Understanding this topic helps to correctly assess what exactly is regulated by the Traffic Rules of Ukraine and what is determined by special transportation regulations, and to avoid common mistakes in the exam and in the real work of a driver.
Traffic Rules of Ukraine — there is no direct provision regarding the minimum number of drivers on a bus route depending on its length
The current Traffic Rules of Ukraine do not contain a clause that establishes the minimum number of drivers required to operate a bus route longer than 500 km. Such requirements do not pertain to the Traffic Rules (which regulate the order of movement and behavior of road users), but to special regulations concerning the working and rest hours of drivers in the field of transportation.
Clause 3.5 of the “Regulation on Working Hours and Rest Periods of Drivers of Wheeled Vehicles” (Order of the Ministry of Transport and Communications No. 340 dated 07.06.2010)
“Two drivers are assigned to bus routes longer than 500 km, and the driving period of each driver must be half of the total driving period.”
Thus, the correct answer is “Two.”, given that the Traffic Rules of Ukraine do not contain a provision on the number of drivers on a route depending on its length, and the mandatory requirement to assign two drivers to routes over 500 km is directly established by clause 3.5 of Order No. 340.
When planning long-distance bus transportation, the legislator primarily prioritizes traffic safety and preventing driver fatigue. Therefore, for long routes, it is mandatory to have a crew rather than a single driver.
For bus routes longer than 500 km, there is a requirement to assign at least two drivers to the trip. This aligns with the provisions on drivers' working and rest time: driving must be organized so that each driver works approximately half of the total driving time, taking turns with their partner. This approach allows compliance with work and rest regulations and reduces the risks associated with fatigue.
For example, if a route is 600–700 km long and the actual travel time is many hours, one driver should not physically drive continuously for the entire trip. Having a second driver makes it possible to organize driver changes and ensure proper rest during the journey.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Two." According to the regulations on drivers' work and rest time, bus routes over 500 km must be operated by at least two drivers who share the driving time between them.