Ticket 31 question 18 Traffic rules: is overtaking allowed in the tunnel?

Question 18 from ticket 31 of the Traffic Regulations 2026 tests knowledge of the rules for overtaking in tunnels - one of the most controversial and often violated maneuvers. According to clause 11.4 of the Russian Federation Traffic Regulations, overtaking is prohibited on bridges, overpasses, overpasses and underneath them, as well as in tunnels. However, the wording causes confusion: many drivers mistakenly believe that the ban only applies to multi-lane tunnels or when signs are present. In practice, the limitation applies to all tunnels regardless of the number of lanes and lighting, except when overtaking is permitted by road signs or markings.

A typical mistake when answering this question is ignoring the term “overtaking” (advancing into the oncoming lane). This kind of advance is prohibited in tunnels, while ordinary advance without crossing a solid line or entering oncoming traffic does not qualify as a violation. Penalty for overtaking in a tunnel Part 4 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation is 5,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 4–6 months - this is one of the most severe penalties for maneuvering.

Official interpretation of traffic rules: what is considered a tunnel

There is no clear definition of “tunnel” in the traffic rules, but the traffic police and judicial practice interpret it as artificial structure bounded at the sides and top, designed for vehicle movement under ground, water or other obstacles. Key Features:

• 🔹 Full or partial overlap on top (even if there are no side walls).
• 🔹 Artificial lighting (regardless of natural light).
• 🔹 Availability of signs 1.31 (“Tunnel”) or markings indicating the beginning/end of the structure.
• 🔹 Length more than 50 meters (short canopies and galleries may not be considered tunnels).

Important: underground parking lots, overpasses with side barriers and pedestrian crossings under the road are not tunnels in the context of traffic regulations. However, bridges and overpasses (even with lighting) are equal to tunnels in terms of the level of danger - overtaking on them is also prohibited.

Exceptions: when overtaking in a tunnel is allowed

The only legal basis for overtaking in the tunnel is the presence road signs or markings clearly permitting maneuver. We are talking about:

• 🚦 Sign 3.21 ("End of no-overtaking zone") after sign 3.20.
• 🟢 Marking 1.5 (broken line) in the oncoming lane inside the tunnel.
• 📛 Sign 5.15.7 (“Direction of traffic along the lanes”), where arrows allow driving into oncoming traffic.

In practice, such exceptions are extremely rare - usually in short tunnels with wide stripes (for example, on mountain serpentines). Important: even if there are markings 1.5 overtaking is allowed only if there are no other restrictions (for example, a sign 3.20 or poor visibility).

Fines and penalties for overtaking in the tunnel in 2026

Violation of clause 11.4 of the traffic rules is classified as Part 4 of Article 12.15 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation like driving into the oncoming lane in a prohibited place. Sanctions:

Features of punishment:

• 📹 Cameras record a violation only as a fine of 5,000 rubles (deprivation of rights does not apply).
• 👮 A traffic police inspector may classify the maneuver as Part 3 Article 12.15 (overtaking through a solid road), if there are markings in the tunnel 1.1 or 1.3.
• ⚖️ When appealing a fine, the court may reclassify the violation as Part 1 Article 12.15 (fine 1,500 rubles), if you prove the absence of oncoming traffic.

Why overtaking in a tunnel is dangerous: accident statistics

According to the traffic police, tunnels are 3.5 times more dangerous than open road sections in terms of the number of fatal accidents per kilometer of travel. Main risks:

• 🔦 Light bag effect: An abrupt transition from light to dark reduces visibility for 2-3 seconds.
• 🚗 Limited space: The lack of shoulders and emergency pockets makes maneuvering difficult.
• 💨 Air turbulence: in long tunnels, flows from oncoming cars can throw off course.
• 🔊 Echo and noise: makes it difficult to estimate the distance to other vehicles by sound.

According to the study Research Center for Traffic Safety of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 68% of accidents in tunnels are associated with violation of paragraph 11.4 of traffic rules. However, 40% of drivers who overtook claimed that they did not notice the signs or considered the tunnel “too short” to be prohibited. In reality, the length of the structure does not affect the rules - the ban applies even in 20-meter tunnels.

How to behave in a tunnel: alternatives to overtaking

If you need to get ahead of slow-moving vehicles in a tunnel, use legal methods:

1. Changing lanes without entering oncoming traffic: if the tunnel is multi-lane, change lanes to the left within your direction.
2. Increasing distance: Slow down and wait until you exit the tunnel to overtake safely.
3. Using the alarm: If the vehicle ahead is moving too slowly (less than 30 km/h), turn on your hazard lights to attract attention.

In tunnels with heavy traffic (for example, in Moscow or St. Petersburg) signs 4.6 (“Minimum speed limit”). In this case, you can overtake only if your speed exceeds the one indicated on the sign. and the markings allow maneuver.

Frequent mistakes in the exam on ticket 31

Question 18 from ticket 31 is in the top 5 most failed questions on the theoretical exam. Typical misconceptions of cadets:

⚠️ Attention: Many people confuse overtaking with ahead. Only prohibited in the tunnel overtaking (with entering the oncoming lane), and ahead in your own lane is allowed.

• ❌ "Overtaking is allowed if the tunnel is short or well lit"—length and lighting do not affect the rules.
• ❌ "You can overtake if there are no oncoming cars"—the ban does not depend on the presence of other vehicles.
• ❌ "In tunnels marked 1.5, overtaking is always allowed" - only if there is no 3.20 sign.

To remember the rule, use the association: "A tunnel is like a bridge, only underground"If overtaking is prohibited on the bridge (clause 11.4), then it is prohibited in the tunnel according to the same logic. The exception is only if there are permitting signs.

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