56.16. Is it allowed to tow a vehicle with a trailer?
UAЧи дозволяється буксирування транспортного засобу з причепом?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during towing and the proper organization of vehicle combinations in case of a breakdown or forced stop. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand that towing creates increased risks due to a longer braking distance, more difficult maneuvering, and requirements for the serviceability of coupling devices. Therefore, the traffic rules strictly regulate who and under what conditions may tow another vehicle.
The question tests knowledge of Section 23 of the Traffic Rules, specifically paragraph 23.1, as well as understanding of the term "towing" from paragraph 1.10. The key provision is as follows: towing of one motor vehicle is allowed only with one trailer. That is, the presence of a trailer on the towed vehicle itself is not prohibited, provided there is only one trailer and the general requirements of Section 23 are met.
The analysis of the options in this exam question comes down to the logic of the Traffic Rules: the statement about "approval from a special authority" is not provided for by the traffic rules in standard towing situations. The option of a complete prohibition is also incorrect, since the Traffic Rules of Ukraine explicitly allow towing a vehicle that has one trailer. At the same time, it should be remembered about the restriction from paragraph 23.1: the towing vehicle must not have a trailer, and the coupling devices of both participants in the towing must be technically sound.
In practice, this means that if, for example, a passenger car with one trailer breaks down, it can be towed together with this trailer, provided the requirements of Section 23 regarding the method and safe conditions of towing are observed. Such an understanding of the wording of the Traffic Rules helps to avoid typical mistakes on the theoretical exam and to act correctly in real road situations.
Clause 23.1
Towing must be carried out by a motor vehicle without a trailer and with technically sound coupling devices both on the towed vehicle and on the towing vehicle. Starting the engine using a rigid or flexible coupling must be performed in accordance with the requirements of this section. Towing of one motor vehicle with only one trailer is permitted.
Brief application: the very last sentence directly permits the towing of a motor vehicle that has a trailer (that is, "with a trailer"), but limits this to one trailer.
Clause 1.10 (term "Towing")
Towing is the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle, which does not pertain to the operation of road trains (vehicle combinations) using a rigid or flexible coupling or by means of partial loading onto a platform or special supporting device.
Brief application: the term defines what is considered "towing" in the Traffic Rules, and allows the correct application of the requirements of section 23 to the situation of "towing a vehicle with a trailer".
That is, the correct answer is "Always permitted.", given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, towing of one motor vehicle is allowed "only with one trailer", meaning towing a vehicle with a trailer is directly permitted (provided other requirements of section 23 are met).
In the Rules, the term towing means moving one vehicle by another using a coupling (rigid or flexible) or by partial loading. That is, it does not refer to the movement of a road train as a regular "car with a trailer," but specifically to the situation where one vehicle pulls another.
Section 23 of the Traffic Rules (in particular, clause 23.10 in combination with the general requirements of this section) does not establish a prohibition on towing a vehicle that has a trailer. On the contrary, the rules explicitly allow such a case: it is permitted to tow one motor vehicle that is attached to only one trailer.
It is important to correctly understand the restrictions: the towing vehicle must not have a trailer, and the coupling devices on both vehicles must be in good working order. But the mere fact that the towed vehicle has a trailer does not make towing prohibited, as long as there is only one trailer.
For example, if a passenger car breaks down and it had one trailer, another car may tow this passenger car together with its trailer (provided that the requirements of section 23 regarding the condition of the coupling and the towing method are met).
Therefore, the correct answer is "Always allowed," since the Traffic Rules permit towing a vehicle with one trailer, and there is no direct prohibition on this.