9.10. Which warning signals must be activated on a towed vehicle?
UAЯкі попереджувальні сигнали вмикаються на транспортному засобі, що буксирується?
This exam question focuses on road safety during towing, when at least two vehicles with different braking and maneuvering capabilities are moving on the road simultaneously. It is important for other drivers to recognize in advance that one car is not moving independently and therefore may behave unpredictably. That is why the traffic rules establish clear requirements for warning signals in such situations.
The question tests knowledge of Section 9 "Warning Signals" of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, specifically clause 9.9 (d), which directly states: the hazard warning lights must be switched on in the mechanical vehicle being towed. Additionally, it is important to understand the term "towing" from clause 1.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, in order to clearly distinguish towing from movement as part of a road train and to correctly apply the rule during the theoretical exam.
An analysis of the answer options shows that the combination of low beam headlights and hazard warning lights is not a requirement specifically for the towed vehicle: low beam headlights are usually used by the towing vehicle, while the "hazard lights" indicate a faulty or towed vehicle. The option with only low beam headlights is also incorrect, as it does not fulfill the direct requirement of clause 9.9 (d). Therefore, the correct logic of this exam question is simple: there must be a clear warning signal at the rear, so the hazard warning lights are switched on in the towed vehicle; if they do not work, a warning triangle is placed behind it.
Clause 9.9 (d) (Section 9 “Warning Signals” — activation of hazard warning lights)
The hazard warning lights must be switched on: a) in case of a forced stop on the road; b) when stopping at the request of a police officer or due to the driver being dazzled by headlights; c) on a motor vehicle moving with technical malfunctions, if such movement is not prohibited by these Rules; d) on a motor vehicle that is being towed; e) on a motor vehicle marked with the identification sign “Children”, which is transporting an organized group of children, during their boarding or disembarkation; f) on all motor vehicles in a convoy during their stop on the road; g) in the event of a road traffic accident (RTA).
This subclause directly establishes which specific warning signal must be activated on the vehicle being towed.
Clause 1.10 (term “Towing”)
Towing — the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle, which does not refer to the operation of road trains (vehicle combinations), using a rigid or flexible coupling, or by partial loading onto a platform or special supporting device.
This definition clarifies what exactly the Traffic Rules mean by towing, and therefore — when the requirement of clause 9.9 (d) applies.
That is, the correct answer is "Only the hazard warning lights," given that, according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the hazard warning lights must be switched on specifically on the motor vehicle being towed (clause 9.9 (d)).
During towing, at least two vehicles are involved in motion: the one that tows and the one being moved either by coupling or partial loading. It is important for other drivers to immediately understand that the rear vehicle is not moving independently, may maneuver and stop worse, and therefore must be clearly marked as a “problematic” or non-standard road user.
This is why the Traffic Rules directly specify which signal must be activated on the towed vehicle. In clause 9.9 (d), it is stated that the hazard warning lights must be switched on in the mechanical vehicle being towed. This is the mandatory warning signal in such a situation.
The logic is simple: “whoever broke down, turns on the hazard lights.” For example, if a faulty car is being towed on a cable, it is this car, as the towed vehicle, that warns other drivers by flashing the hazard warning lights. The towing vehicle is marked by other means (in particular, by headlights), but this does not relate to the question about the towed vehicle.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Only the hazard warning lights,” since the Traffic Rules (clause 9.9 (d)) directly require the hazard warning lights to be switched on specifically on the towed vehicle as a warning signal for other road users.