55.21. On a vehicle with the identification sign 'Children', during the boarding or alighting of passengers, the following must be switched on:
UAНа транспортному засобі з розпізнавальним знаком «Діти» під час посадки або висадки пасажирів із нього повинні бути ввімкнені:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during the transportation of organized groups of children and how the driver must warn other road users about the increased risk near a stopped bus. During boarding or alighting, children may suddenly appear on the roadway, so the traffic rules require making the vehicle as visible as possible and attracting the attention of other drivers in advance.
The question tests knowledge of Section 21 "Passenger Transportation," specifically clause 21.3, which directly defines the obligation to activate special warning signals on a vehicle with the "Children" identification sign during boarding/alighting. The "Children" sign itself and the requirements for its placement belong to Section 30 "Number, Identification Signs, Inscriptions, and Markings" (clause 30.3), which often appears on the theoretical exam as a combination of topics: passenger transportation and identification markings.
Analysis of the answer options shows that position lights are not sufficient warning of a dangerous stop, as they only indicate the vehicle at night or in poor visibility. Hazard warning lights are an acceptable and direct way to warn, but the Traffic Rules of Ukraine also allow/require the use of orange flashing beacons, so the correct logic is not "only hazard lights," but "orange beacons and/or hazard warning lights," meaning either of these means or both together.
The practical meaning of this rule is simple: when a bus with the "Children" sign stops for boarding or alighting, turning on the orange beacons and/or hazard lights reduces the risk of collision and forces other drivers to slow down and be ready for unpredictable actions by children. This is exactly the wording checked in exam questions, as it literally reflects the requirement of clause 21.3 of the traffic rules.
Clause 21.3 (Section 21 "Passenger Transportation")
"Transportation of an organized group of children by bus (minibus) is carried out provided that children and accompanying persons are mandatorily instructed on the rules of safe behavior during movement and actions in case of hazardous situations or a road traffic accident. At the same time, a 'Children' identification sign must be installed at the front and rear of the bus (minibus) in accordance with the requirements of subparagraph 'v' of clause 30.3 of these Rules. The driver of the bus (minibus) transporting organized groups of children must have at least 5 years of driving experience and a category 'D' driver's license. On a vehicle with the 'Children' identification sign, during the boarding (alighting) of passengers, orange flashing beacons and/or hazard warning lights must be switched on."
This clause directly establishes the requirement: during boarding/alighting from a vehicle with the 'Children' identification sign, orange flashing beacons and/or hazard warning lights must be switched on.
Clause 30.3 (subparagraph 'v') (Section 30 "Number, Identification Signs, Inscriptions and Markings")
"The following identification signs shall be installed on the relevant vehicles: c) 'Children' — a yellow square with a red border and a black image of the symbol of road sign 1.33 'Children' (side of the square — at least 250 mm, border — 1/10 of this side). The sign is placed at the front and rear of vehicles transporting organized groups of children."
This clause defines what exactly the 'Children' identification sign is and where it must be placed, which is a condition for applying the requirement of clause 21.3 regarding the activation of the appropriate light signals during boarding/alighting.
Thus, the correct answer is "Orange flashing beacons and/or hazard warning lights," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, clause 21.3 directly requires their activation on a vehicle with the 'Children' identification sign during the boarding (alighting) of passengers.
When boarding or disembarking children, a bus (or minibus) actually stops to perform a special operation, and at this moment additional risks appear on the road: children may step onto the roadway, other drivers may notice the stop too late or incorrectly assess the situation. That is why the Traffic Rules require a clear warning to other road users about the increased danger.
Clause 21.3 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine explicitly states: if a vehicle has the “Children” identification sign and passengers are boarding or disembarking, the driver must turn on the warning light signals. The purpose is simple and practical: to make the stop as visible as possible from a distance and to attract the attention of other drivers so that they slow down in advance and act more cautiously.
This clause names two signaling options that can be used in such a situation: orange flashing beacons and/or hazard warning lights. That is, it is allowed to use one of these means or both at the same time, the main thing is that during boarding/disembarking a clear warning signal is given to those around.
In practice, it looks like this: a bus with the “Children” sign approaches the stop to drop off schoolchildren — before opening the doors, the driver turns on the orange beacons or the hazard warning lights (or both signals), and only after that performs boarding/disembarking. This complies with the Traffic Rules requirement for increased visibility of such a vehicle at the moment when children may be near the roadway.
Thus, the correct answer is "Orange flashing beacons and/or hazard warning lights," since clause 21.3 of the Traffic Rules requires that during boarding/disembarking from a vehicle with the “Children” sign, warning light signals must be turned on so that other drivers notice the stop in advance and act cautiously.