9.52. While driving during daylight hours on roads outside populated areas, daytime running lights must be switched on, and if they are not provided in the vehicle's design, low beam headlights must be used:
UAПід час руху у світлу пору доби на дорогах поза населеними пунктами мають бути ввімкнені денні ходові вогні, а в разі їх відсутності в конструкції транспортного засобу – ближнє світло фар:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety on rural roads and vehicle visibility during the daytime. Outside populated areas, speeds are usually higher, the distance to oncoming vehicles is shorter, and weather conditions can quickly reduce visibility (rain, fog, snow). Therefore, the traffic rules require additional lighting of the vehicle even during daylight hours so that other drivers can notice the vehicle earlier.
Section 9 "Warning Signals" is being tested, specifically point 9.8: during daytime driving on roads outside populated areas, daytime running lights must be turned on, and if they are not structurally present — low beam headlights should be used. Also important is the definition from point 1.10: "mechanical vehicle" includes all vehicles that move with the help of an engine (including motorcycles, trucks, buses, etc.). Thus, the theoretical exam checks the conditions of application (daytime, outside populated areas), the method of signaling (DRL or low beam), and the range of vehicles (all mechanical).
The analysis of the options in the ticket comes down to the fact that limiting it to only certain categories is incorrect. The option about heavy/large vehicles, agricultural machinery, or dangerous goods is not suitable, because point 9.8 does not set such exceptions and does not narrow the requirement to special transports. The option about route vehicles on a lane with sign 5.8 is also incorrect, since this is a different situation of traffic organization and does not cancel the general rule about daytime lighting on rural roads. The correct conclusion for this exam question: the requirement applies to all mechanical vehicles, and the driver only chooses what to turn on — daytime running lights or low beam headlights if DRLs are not available.
Clause 9.8 (Section 9 "Warning Signals")
While driving during daylight hours on roads outside populated areas, all motor vehicles must have their daytime running lights turned on, and if these are not present in the vehicle's design, the low beam headlights must be used.
This clause directly checks: (1) the condition for application (daylight hours, outside populated areas), (2) the method of marking the vehicle (DRL or low beam), (3) the range of vehicles to which the requirement applies (all motor vehicles).
Clause 1.10 (term "Motor Vehicle")
Motor vehicle — a vehicle driven by an engine. This term applies to tractors, self-propelled machines and mechanisms, as well as trolleybuses and vehicles with an electric motor with a power of more than 3 kW.
This definition explains why the requirement of clause 9.8 applies not only to passenger cars, but also to trucks, buses, motorcycles, etc. (if they are motor vehicles as defined by the Traffic Rules).
Clause 1.10 (term "Daytime Running Lights")
Daytime running lights — external lighting devices designed to improve the visibility of a vehicle while it is moving during daylight hours.
This term clarifies exactly what is meant by "daytime running lights" in the requirement of clause 9.8, and distinguishes them from other external lighting/signaling devices.
Therefore, the correct answer is "On all motor vehicles," given that according to the definition in the Traffic Rules, the requirement of clause 9.8 for mandatory activation of DRL (or low beam headlights in their absence) during daylight hours outside populated areas directly applies to all motor vehicles.
When driving during the day outside populated areas, the vehicle must be visible to other road users from a greater distance. On rural roads, speeds are usually higher, oncoming vehicles pass each other faster, and visibility conditions can change rapidly due to rain, fog, or snow. That is why the Rules require additional light marking of the vehicle even during daylight hours.
Clause 9.8 of the Traffic Rules stipulates: when driving during daylight hours on roads outside populated areas, daytime running lights must be turned on. If the vehicle's design does not provide for them, the driver must turn on the low beam headlights instead. In other words, the driver does not choose “whether to turn them on or not” — he or she only chooses what exactly to turn on: DRLs or low beam headlights.
An important point in the wording of the Traffic Rules is that this requirement is not limited to specific categories such as buses, trucks, or route vehicles. It applies to all motor vehicles, that is, to passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, mopeds, and other vehicles with an engine. For example, if a motorcycle is driving on a highway outside the city during the day, it must also have its DRLs or low beam headlights on, just like a passenger car.
Therefore, the correct answer is "On all motor vehicles," since according to clause 9.8 of the Traffic Rules, during daytime driving outside populated areas, every motor vehicle must be marked with DRLs turned on, or, if they are absent, with low beam headlights.