56.17. Which external lighting devices must be obligatorily switched on while driving a vehicle combination at night, regardless of the degree of road illumination?
UAЯкі зовнішні світлові пристрої повинні бути обов'язково ввімкнені під час руху транспортного складу в темний час доби незалежно від ступеня освітлення дороги?
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine about driving safety at night, when the most important task for the driver is to be clearly visible to others and to have sufficient visibility of the road themselves. Even on illuminated streets, risks remain: streetlights can create shadows, cause glare, or "hide" a trailer in traffic, so the traffic rules establish a mandatory minimum set of external lighting devices for driving.
The question tests knowledge of Section 19 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine "Use of External Lighting Devices," specifically the requirements of paragraph 19.1: at night (from sunset to sunrise), regardless of road lighting, a moving motor vehicle must have its low or high beam headlights on, and a trailer (as part of the vehicle combination) must have its position lights on. This combination ensures both road illumination for the tractor driver and clear marking of the length and dimensions of the entire combination for other road users, which directly affects safe overtaking, lane changes, and distance assessment in the theoretical exam.
Analysis of the answer options helps avoid common mistakes. The option with only position lights on the tractor and trailer is not suitable, because position lights do not replace low or high beam headlights for a motor vehicle at night. The combination of low beam on the tractor and rear fog light on the trailer is also incorrect: the fog light is not mandatory "instead of" position lights and is used under different conditions. The option with fog lights on the tractor does not meet the requirement for nighttime: fog lights as a substitute are allowed by note 19.1 only in conditions of insufficient visibility, whereas at night the basic requirement is low (high) beam headlights plus position lights on the trailer.
Clause 1.10 (term "Nighttime")
Nighttime — the part of the day from sunset to sunrise.
Clause 1.10 (term "Trailer")
Trailer — a vehicle designed to be towed by a motor vehicle.
Clause 19.1
At nighttime and in conditions of insufficient visibility, regardless of the degree of road illumination, as well as in tunnels, the following lighting devices must be switched on in a moving vehicle: a) on all motor vehicles — dipped beam (main beam) headlights; b) on mopeds (bicycles) and horse-drawn carts (sledges) — headlights or lanterns; c) on trailers and towed vehicles — position lamps. Note: In conditions of insufficient visibility, it is permitted to use fog lights instead of dipped beam (main beam) headlights on motor vehicles.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Dipped or main beam headlights on the towing vehicle and position lamps on the trailer," considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, nighttime lasts from sunset to sunrise, and according to the requirement of clause 19.1, while driving at nighttime regardless of road illumination, the motor vehicle must have its dipped/main beam headlights on, and the trailer — position lamps.
When driving a vehicle combination (tractor with trailer) at night, you must follow the requirements of Section 19 of the Traffic Rules. According to the definition in the Traffic Rules, nighttime is the period from sunset to sunrise, and during this time, the rules require the mandatory use of external lighting devices, even if the road is well lit by streetlights.
Clause 19.1 of the Traffic Rules establishes the principle: at night, regardless of road lighting, a moving vehicle must be visible to other road users and provide the driver with sufficient visibility. Therefore, for a motor vehicle (in our case, the tractor), it is mandatory to turn on the low or high beam headlights so that the driver can see the road and other drivers can recognize the approaching vehicle from a distance.
The Traffic Rules separately specify trailers and towed vehicles: for them, side marker lights are mandatory at night. This is necessary so that other road users can clearly see the length and dimensions of the entire combination, not just the tractor. For example, if the street is lit and the driver turns on only the headlights on the tractor but the trailer remains without marker lights, other drivers may notice its rear part too late or incorrectly estimate the length of the vehicle combination during overtaking or lane changes.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Low or high beam headlights on the tractor and side marker lights on the trailer," since at night, according to clause 19.1 of the Traffic Rules, the tractor as a motor vehicle must drive with headlights on, and the trailer in the combination must have marker lights on to indicate its dimensions.