9.49. Which warning signals must be activated on vehicles during towing in daylight hours?
UAЯкі попереджувальні сигнали вмикаються на транспортних засобах під час буксирування у світлий час доби?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety during towing, when in fact a coupled unit of two vehicles is moving. Such a "combination" is longer, less maneuverable, accelerates and brakes more slowly, so it is important for other drivers to recognize the situation in advance and correctly assess the distance, overtaking, and lane changes. That is why the traffic rules establish separate warning signals for each participant in the towing process.
The question tests knowledge of the section on the use of external lighting devices and warning signals (points 9.8 and 9.9 of the Traffic Rules), as well as understanding of the term "towing" from point 1.10. During daylight hours, the towing vehicle must be marked with dipped headlights turned on (p. 9.8 e), while the towed vehicle must use the hazard warning lights (p. 9.9 d). This distinction helps other road users immediately see the "head" of the unit and the "tail," which is moving independently.
During the theoretical exam, options are often confused where the hazard lights are suggested to be turned on for both vehicles or dipped headlights added to both. But the requirement of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine is different: the hazard warning lights are mandatory specifically on the towed vehicle, and dipped headlights during daylight hours—specifically on the towing vehicle. If you see only the "hazard lights" on both vehicles on the road, this does not correspond to the basic logic of marking towing, which this exam question checks for theoretical exam preparation.
Clause 9.8 (subclause g)
While driving motor vehicles during daylight hours, in order to indicate a moving vehicle, the low beam headlights must be turned on: … g) on the towing vehicle.
Clause 9.9 (subclause h)
The hazard warning lights must be turned on: … h) on the towed motor vehicle.
Clause 1.10 (term “Towing”)
Towing — the movement of one vehicle by another vehicle, which does not pertain to the operation of road trains (vehicle combinations), using a rigid or flexible coupling, or by partially loading onto a platform or a special supporting device.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "On the towing vehicle, the low beam headlights are turned on, and on the towed vehicle, the hazard warning lights are turned on," considering that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, towing requires marking: the towing vehicle — with low beam headlights during daylight hours (clause 9.8 e), and the towed vehicle — with hazard warning lights (clause 9.9 d).
During towing on the road, a "combination" of two vehicles is actually moving, which becomes longer and less maneuverable. It is important for other drivers to recognize in advance that there is not just one car ahead, but a unit that may accelerate more slowly, brake for a longer distance, and require more space for maneuvers.
The Traffic Rules specifically define how to mark vehicles during towing in daylight hours. For the vehicle that is towing another, the requirement of clause 9.8 (g) applies: it must move with its low beam headlights on to be more visible in traffic and immediately attract attention as a towing vehicle.
Meanwhile, the towed vehicle, according to clause 9.9 (d), must turn on its hazard warning lights. This is an unambiguous warning signal for other road users that a "problematic" or non-self-propelled vehicle is moving behind, connected to the front one, and the distance and overtaking should be assessed taking into account both vehicles.
For example, if you see a car ahead with its low beam headlights on, and behind it, coupled, another car with its hazard lights on, this means that towing is taking place in front of you, and you should only overtake after making sure there is enough space and time to pass both vehicles. Turning on the hazard warning lights on the towing vehicle instead of the low beam is not provided by the rules as the main requirement for daylight hours.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "The towing vehicle must have its low beam headlights on, and the towed vehicle must have its hazard warning lights on," since the Traffic Rules (clauses 9.8 (g) and 9.9 (d)) directly separate the mandatory warning signals: the towing vehicle is marked with low beam headlights, and the towed vehicle with hazard warning lights.