57.3. In the presence of which malfunction is the operation of the vehicle permitted?
UAЗа наявності якої несправності дозволяється експлуатація транспортного засобу?
Question without image
This is an exam question from the Ukrainian Traffic Rules (PDR) concerning the technical condition of a vehicle and road safety: which malfunctions are so critical that the traffic rules prohibit further operation of the vehicle. In the theoretical exam, the ability to distinguish dangerous faults that affect controllability and visibility from minor malfunctions that cause discomfort but are not a direct reason for a driving ban is often tested.
The question checks knowledge of Section 31 of the Ukrainian Traffic Rules "Technical condition of vehicles and their equipment," in particular points 31.4 and 31.4.7 (other structural elements). The logic is simple: if a malfunction is directly listed among the prohibited ones in point 31.4.7, operation is prohibited; if it is not listed there, then by itself it is not subject to prohibition. That is why a faulty window regulator allows you to continue driving, since it is not mentioned among the list of critical malfunctions and does not directly impair visibility or vehicle control.
At the same time, other options from this task fall into the category of prohibited: non-functioning fuel tank cap locks are directly mentioned in subpoint 31.4.7 (g), and a faulty device for heating and blowing the glass is also included in this list, as it affects visibility in rain, snow, or frost. In practice, this knowledge helps to quickly assess whether it is legal to drive after detecting a malfunction, and not to fail the theoretical exam due to confusion between "inconvenient" and "dangerous."
Clause 31.4
The operation of vehicles is prohibited, according to the legislation, in the presence of such technical malfunctions and non-compliance with such requirements.
Clause 31.4.7 (section "Other structural elements," subparagraph "g")
The following do not work as provided by the design: body or cab door locks, sideboard locks of the cargo platform, tank and fuel tank neck locks, driver's seat adjustment mechanism, emergency exits, devices for their activation, door control drive, speedometer, odometer, tachograph, device for heating and blowing the glass.
Explanation of application: in the list of malfunctions prohibited for operation (subclause 31.4.7, in particular subparagraph "g"), the window regulator is not mentioned, therefore, a malfunction of the window regulator itself is not subject to the prohibition of operation under clause 31.4.
That is, the correct answer is "The window regulator does not work," given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, the prohibition of operation is established only for malfunctions directly listed in clause 31.4 and its subclauses, and the window regulator is not included in this list.
When the exam asks under which malfunction the operation of a vehicle is permitted, you should approach it in reverse: recall which specific malfunctions directly prohibit operation. This is defined in Section 31 of the Traffic Rules, and for this question, the key point is 31.4.7, which describes malfunctions and non-conformities in "other structural elements."
Point 31.4.7 provides a specific list of situations when driving is not allowed because it affects safety: for example, if windows or mirrors required by design are missing; if there are objects or coatings on the glass that impair visibility; if important components without which control or safe operation is complicated are not working (including door locks, the driver's seat adjustment mechanism, speedometer, devices for heating and defogging the glass, etc.). That is, the prohibition specifically concerns anything that either impairs the driver's visibility or can create a dangerous situation while driving.
A non-working window regulator is not included in this list. It may create everyday discomfort (for example, it is impossible to lower the side window for ventilation or to pay at a barrier), but by itself it does not mean the absence of glass, does not block visibility, and does not belong to the components that the Traffic Rules directly define as grounds for prohibiting operation. Therefore, unlike cases where, for example, the glass heating/defogging does not work and this may affect visibility, a faulty window regulator is not a critical malfunction according to the list in 31.4.7.
Thus, the correct answer is "The window regulator does not work," since this malfunction is not specified in point 31.4.7 as grounds for prohibiting operation and does not directly affect road safety.