59.5. When driving with a trailer, to overtake other vehicles it is necessary:
UAПід час руху з причепом, для обгону інших транспортних засобів необхідно:
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This is an exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerning safety during the overtaking maneuver involving entering the oncoming traffic lane. In real conditions, overtaking is one of the riskiest maneuvers, so the traffic rules require the driver to correctly assess the available distance, time, and capabilities of their vehicle in order not to create danger for other road users.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules on maneuvering and the requirements for safe speed, distance, and conditions for overtaking (in particular, the definitions in point 1.10 and the requirements of points 12.1, 13.1, and 14.1). The logic is simple: when driving with a trailer, the road train becomes longer, and due to the additional mass, acceleration and braking worsen. Therefore, the “sufficient distance for overtaking” and the time spent in the overtaking lane increase, which is directly important for both the theoretical exam and practical driving.
The analysis of the answer options comes down to assessing dynamics and dimensions. The statement that overtaking with a trailer requires less time is incorrect, because the length of the vehicle is greater and to return to your lane with a safe interval you need to travel a longer trajectory. The option that dynamic characteristics do not change is also wrong: the increased mass affects acceleration, handling, and braking distance. That is why the correct conclusion is that overtaking with a trailer usually requires a greater time and distance margin than in a car without a trailer.
Clause 1.10 (term "Overtaking")
Overtaking — passing one or more vehicles, involving entering the oncoming traffic lane.
Clause 1.10 (term "Trailer")
Trailer — a vehicle designed to move as part of a combination with a motor vehicle.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe driving speed within the established limits, the driver must take into account the road situation, the characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, in order to be able to constantly control its movement and drive it safely.
Brief application: when driving with a trailer, acceleration/braking dynamics and controllability change, so performing a maneuver (including overtaking) actually requires more time under the same road conditions.
Clause 13.1
Depending on the speed, road situation, characteristics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, the driver must maintain a safe distance and safe interval.
Brief application: increasing the length of the road train (vehicle + trailer) and changing movement dynamics require a greater "margin" of distance/interval, and therefore — more time to safely complete overtaking.
Clause 14.1
Before starting to overtake, the driver must make sure that the oncoming lane they intend to enter is clear for a sufficient distance to overtake, and that their actions will not create danger or obstacles for other road users.
Brief application: the "sufficient distance for overtaking" for a vehicle with a trailer is greater (due to increased length and worse dynamics), so more time is needed to overtake.
That is, the correct answer is "More time than in a car without a trailer," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, overtaking involves being in the oncoming lane, and clauses 14.1, 12.1, and 13.1 require sufficient distance/safety margin taking into account the condition of the vehicle and cargo; with a trailer, length and dynamics are worse, so the maneuver takes longer.
When overtaking, the driver must assess whether there is enough distance and time to safely move into the oncoming lane (or the adjacent lane), overtake the vehicle, and return without creating danger or obstacles for other road users. This directly follows from the general requirement of the Traffic Rules to perform maneuvers only when they are safe.
When a car is moving with a trailer, two key parameters that affect the duration of overtaking change at once. First, the overall length of the vehicle increases. This means that in order to completely overtake another car and return to your lane with a safe interval, you need to cover a greater distance, and therefore, spend more time.
Second, due to the additional mass of the trailer, the dynamics worsen: acceleration is slower, and in case braking is needed, more time and distance are required. In practice, this means that even if you could quickly gain speed and complete the overtaking maneuver in a short time without a trailer, with a trailer the acceleration will be less intense, so the maneuver will take longer.
For example, when overtaking a truck on a country road, a car with a trailer needs not only to "get around" it in terms of length, but also to spend additional time due to slower acceleration. Because of this, the time spent in the overtaking lane increases, which means greater requirements for distance and visibility ahead.
Therefore, the correct answer is "More time than in a car without a trailer," since a road train is longer and heavier, accelerates more slowly, and requires more distance to safely complete the overtaking maneuver.