59.7. When turning, the wheels of a trailer move:
UAПри поворотах колеса причепа рухаються:
Question without image
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safe maneuvering when changing direction and the specific features of controlling a vehicle combination. The topic is important for everyday practice: when turning a car with a trailer, the risk increases that the trailer may hit a curb, roadside, obstacle, or create danger for other road users, especially in narrow places and at intersections. That is why questions about the trailer's trajectory during a turn are often included in the theoretical exam.
The question tests knowledge of the section General Provisions (terms, in particular the definition of "trailer" in point 1.10) and the requirements of the Maneuvering section (point 10.1 about the obligation to ensure the safety of any change of direction). The logic is simple: the trailer does not "steer" independently, but follows the towing vehicle via the coupling device, so during a turn its axis shifts towards the inner part of the curve. As a result, the trailer's wheels pass closer to the center of the turn, i.e., along a smaller radius than the car's wheels, effectively "cutting" the trajectory.
If we analyze the options, the statement about a smaller radius is correct precisely because of the coupling geometry: the coupling point moves behind the car, and the trailer is "pulled" inward during the turn. The option about a larger radius contradicts the practice of driving with a trailer: in that case, the trailer would deviate outward from the curve, which does not correspond to the typical trajectory during a turn. The option about the same radius is also incorrect, because the trailer's wheels do not follow the exact trajectory of the car's wheels due to the different axle positions and the presence of the coupling device.
The practical conclusion for preparing for the theoretical exam and for real driving according to the traffic rules: turns with a trailer should be made wider, constantly monitoring the side clearance and assessing in advance whether there is enough space not only for the car but also for the trailer, which shifts toward the inner edge during a turn. This directly helps to fulfill the traffic rules' requirement for safe maneuvering and to avoid common mistakes made by beginners.
Clause 1.10 (term “Trailer”)
Trailer — a vehicle designed to move only in conjunction with another vehicle. This category of vehicles also includes semi-trailers and dolly trailers.
Application: the question checks understanding of the features of movement of a vehicle traveling in combination (car with a trailer), particularly when turning.
Clause 10.1
Before starting to move, changing lanes, or making any change in the direction of movement, the driver must make sure that it will be safe and will not create obstacles or danger to other road users.
Application: when turning with a trailer, the driver is required to take into account that the trailer’s trajectory “cuts” the turn (moves closer to the inner edge) and to make sure in advance that there is sufficient lateral clearance and the maneuver is safe.
That is, the correct answer is “In a smaller radius than the wheels of the car,” given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, a trailer moves only in conjunction with another vehicle, and clause 10.1 requires ensuring the safety of any change in direction, taking into account the actual trajectory of the vehicle combination.
In the Traffic Rules, point 1.10 defines a trailer as a vehicle that can move only when connected to another vehicle. That is, the trailer itself does not “control” the direction of movement, but follows the car via the coupling device.
When the car enters a turn, its wheels set the trajectory along an arc of a certain radius. The coupling point with the trailer moves behind the car, but the trailer does not follow this same arc exactly: its axle is “pulled” inward toward the turn. Due to this coupling geometry and the difference in the positions of the car’s and trailer’s axles, the trailer’s wheels pass closer to the center of the turn than the car’s wheels.
In practice, this looks like the trailer “cutting” the corner. If you turn right, the trailer shifts more to the right and may hit the curb or roadside; if you turn left, it similarly shifts to the left relative to the car’s trajectory. Therefore, the driver needs to assess whether there is enough space not only for the car but also for the trailer, and often needs to make a wider turn, especially in narrow places.
Thus, the correct answer is "Along a smaller radius than the car’s wheels," since the trailer “cuts” the trajectory during a turn and passes closer to the center of the turn than the car.