Operating a truck or road train with technical defects not only risks fines of up to 50,000 rubles, but also creates a real threat of an accident. According to Appendix to the Russian Traffic Regulations (List of faults), there are 12 categories of breakdowns in which driving on the road is strictly prohibited - even if “it’s still moving.” Moreover, the responsibility falls not only on the driver, but also on the fleet officials if we are talking about commercial vehicles.

In this article we will analyze each of the prohibited faults with examples from practice, we will explain how to identify them before the flight, and we will talk about the nuances for road trains (including semi-trailers and spreader trailers). We will pay special attention "gray zones" of traffic rules, where traffic police inspectors often abuse interpretations - for example, when tires are worn or there is play in the steering.

It is useless to argue with the inspector on the road: if he issues a ban on operation, the car will be sent to the impound lot. Therefore, it is better to know in advance what to look for when daily monitoring of technical condition (ETO) and how to record troubleshooting in waybills.

1. Malfunctions of the braking system: when it’s too late to “brake”

Brakes are the first system that is checked at weigh control points. According to clause 1.1 of the List of faults, operation is prohibited if:

  • 🔴 Parking brake does not hold the vehicle on a slope of 16% (for road trains - 31%) at full load. Example: if loaded Scania R470 with a semi-trailer rolling down in a parking lot with a slope of 20°, this is a direct prohibition.
  • 🔴 Service brake system does not provide stopping efficiency less than 7 m/s² (for trucks) or 5 m/s² (for road trains). In practice: if during emergency braking from 100 km/h the car stops further than 50 meters later, this is a violation.
  • 🔴 Yes brake fluid leak or air in the pneumatic system (for Volvo FH, DAF XF etc.). Critical sign: pressure drop in receivers below 6.5 bar 15 minutes after turning off the engine.

Special attention - electronic braking systems (EBS). If there is an error on the dashboard EBS FAULT (for example, on Mercedes Actros), operation is prohibited, even if the mechanical brakes “seem to work.” Traffic inspectors often check this through the OBD-II diagnostic connector.

⚠️ Attention! For road trains with trailers (transportation of timber, long items) an additional rule applies: if the trailer brakes are not synchronized with the tractor, this is equivalent to the complete absence of a braking system. Fine - 5,000 rubles + evacuation.
📊 How often do you check your truck's brakes before a trip?
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2. Steering: play that kills

Paragraph 2.1 of the List of faults reads: steering wheel play more than 25° (for trucks) or 20° (for road trains) - a direct ban on operation. But in practice, traffic police inspectors often confuse steering play with play in steering rods. Let's figure out where the border is:

  • ⚙️ Allowable backlash measured on neutral wheel position with the engine running. For MAN TGS or Kamaz-6520 the norm is up to 10°.
  • ⚙️ Critical backlash (more than 25°) usually caused by wear:
    • 🔹 Ball joints
    • 🔹 Steering rods
    • 🔹 Worm pair (for old ZIL-130)
  • ⚙️ Power steering: if you hear it when you turn the steering wheel pump whistling or the liquid is leaking, this is also grounds for a ban.

How to check the play yourself? Place the car on a level surface, turn the steering wheel left and right until the wheels begin to turn. The angle of rotation of the steering wheel before the wheels begin to move is the backlash. If it exceeds 25°, it is required steering gear adjustment or replacement of parts.

What happens if you drive with play in the steering wheel?

With a backlash of more than 30°, the risk of a loaded road train overturning when turning increases by 3 times. In addition, the traffic police inspector has the right to send the car to an impound lot and draw up a report of the malfunction (Article 27.13 of the Administrative Code).

3. Lighting and lighting devices: when flashing lights are not enough

Clause 3.1 of the List prohibits operation if:

  • 💡 Don't work (or missing) low/high beam headlights, dimensions, brake lights or turn signals. For road trains longer than 12 m, mandatory side marker lights (orange).
  • 💡 Headlight adjustment does not comply with GOST R 51709-2001. Example: if Hella or Bosch headlights on DAF CF shine “into the sky”, this is a violation.
  • 💡 Color of lights does not comply with the standard (for example, blue or green LED lamps instead of white).
  • 💡 Dirty headlights more than 50% of the area - this is equivalent to their inoperability.

Special moment - fog lights. They can only be used in conditions of poor visibility (rain, fog, snow). If they burn “just like that,” it’s a fine of 500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.20 of the Administrative Code).

Light fixture type Traffic rules requirements Penalty for violation
Low/high beam headlights Both are required, color - white or yellow 500 rub. (Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code)
Side lights Mandatory front (white), rear (red), sides (orange for long lengths) 500 rub. or warning
Brake lights Should light up when you press the brake pedal, color - red 500 rub.
Turn signals Mandatory front (orange), rear (orange or red), sides (for trailers) 500 rub.
Fog lights Allowed only in conditions of poor visibility 500 rub. for misuse
💡

If one headlight burns out on the way, you can temporarily use fog lights instead of low beams (Section 19.4 of the Traffic Regulations). But this does not replace the obligation to correct the malfunction as soon as possible.

4. Wheels and tires: when “bald tires” cost lives

Clause 5.1 of the List of Faults strictly regulates the condition of the tires:

  • 🚛 Remaining tread depth less:
    • 🔸 1 mm - for trucks (category N)
    • 🔸 1.6 mm - for road trains (category O3, O4)
    • 🔸 2 mm - for winter tires (marking M+S, 3PMSF)
  • 🚛 Different tread pattern on the same axis (for example, Michelin X Multi on the left wheel and Goodyear Marathon on the right).
  • 🚛 Tire damage: cuts, hernias, exposed cord. Example: if on Continental Conti Hybrid the cord is visible, the tire must be replaced.
  • 🚛 Load index mismatch. For Scania P410 with a permissible weight of 40 tons, tires must have an index of at least 152 (3,550 kg per wheel).

Special attention - tire pressure. According to GOST 33997-2016, a deviation from the norm of more than 20% is considered a malfunction. For example, if for Bridgestone M727 the norm is 8.5 bar, but the pressure gauge shows 6.5 bar - this is a prohibition on operation.

⚠️ Attention! For road trains with twin wheels (for example, Volvo FH16 with a trailer), the pressure difference between tires on the same axle must not exceed 0.5 bar. Otherwise, uneven wear occurs and there is a risk of the wheel “disassembling” at speed.

Required tread depth (from 1 mm)|No cuts or hernias|Identical tread pattern on the axle|Coincidence of the load index with the vehicle weight|Pressure within ±0.3 bar of the norm-->

5. Engine and exhaust system: when “smoke” becomes a crime

Clause 6.1 of the List prohibits operation if:

  • 🔥 Smoke standard exceeded. For diesel engines (eg Cummins ISX15 or Mercedes OM471) norm:
    • 🔸 1.5 m⁻¹ - for naturally aspirated engines
    • 🔸 2.5 m⁻¹ - for supercharged engines
    Example of a violation: If, when you press the gas, black smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe for more than 3 seconds, this is an excess.
  • 🔥 Exhaust system faulty (the corrugation is burnt out, there is no catalyst or particulate filter DPF).
  • 🔥 Fuel leak in the power system (for example, the fuel line is leaking Kamaz-5490).

From 2023, requirements for environmental class. If your truck is lower Euro 5 (for example, MAZ-5340 with engine YaMZ-238), its operation is prohibited in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities with ecological zones (RF Government Decree No. 1421).

How to check smokiness yourself? Use smoke meter (for example, Bosch BEA 350) or contact a technical inspection station. If the smokiness exceeds the norm, the reasons may be:

  • 🔹 Wear injection pump (high pressure fuel pump)
  • 🔹 Crowded air filter
  • 🔹 Faulty injectors
💡

Excessive smoke levels not only threaten a fine of 500 rubles, but also increase fuel consumption by 15–20%. For example, for Scania R450 this is +10 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km.

6. Coupling device: why a road train can “fall apart” while moving

For road trains (tractor + trailer/semi-trailer) they are checked separately hitch (clause 7.1 of the List). Operation is prohibited if:

  • 🔗 Hitch pin wear exceeds 3% of the diameter. Example: for a finger with a diameter of 50 mm, critical wear is 1.5 mm.
  • 🔗 Missing or faulty safety cable (chains) for trailers weighing more than 3.5 tons.
  • 🔗 The hitch lock does not lock (for example, on Schmitz Cargobull or Krone).
  • 🔗 Play in the coupling exceeds 10 mm in the vertical or horizontal plane.

Special attention - electrical connection between the tractor and trailer. If the brake lights or turn signals on the trailer do not work, this is equivalent to a malfunction of the lighting devices (a fine of 500 rubles).

How to check the hitch before a flight?

  1. 1. Visually inspect the pin and lock for cracks.
  2. 2. Check the play: jack up the trailer and rock it up and down. Backlash of more than 10 mm is prohibited.
  3. 3. Make sure that the safety cable (chain) is not broken and is properly secured.

7. Other faults: from glass to first aid kit

In addition to the main systems, there are “little things” for which operation may also be prohibited:

  • 🚗 Cracks in the windshield in the wiper area (width more than 10 mm or length more than 300 mm).
  • 🚗 Windshield wipers don't work or windshield washers.
  • 🚗 Fire extinguisher missing (for trucks - 2 kg, for road trains - 5 kg).
  • 🚗 No first aid kit or its expiration date has expired.
  • 🚗 Tachograph faulty (for commercial vehicles). Fine - up to 10,000 rubles (Part 3 of Article 11.23 of the Administrative Code).

Special moment - dirty license plates. If at least one number or letter is not readable from 20 meters, it is a fine of 500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.2 of the Administrative Code). For road trains, check the signs for tractor, trailer and semi-trailer.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the truck ban

Is it possible to drive with a crack on the windshield if it is not in your viewing area?

No. According to GOST R 51709-2001, any crack longer than 300 mm or chip with a diameter of more than 16 mm in the windshield wiper cleaning area (driver's side) - prohibited operation. Even if the crack is on the edge, the traffic police inspector can issue a fine.

What is the penalty for driving with faulty brakes?

If the inspector detects a malfunction in the brake system, he:

  1. 1. Draw up an act prohibiting exploitation.
  2. 2. Issue a fine of 500 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code).
  3. 3. Remove the driver from driving (Article 27.12 of the Administrative Code).
  4. 4. Send the car to the impound lot (Article 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) if the malfunction cannot be corrected on the spot.

For legal entities, the fine is higher - up to 50,000 rubles (Part 3 of Article 12.31.1 of the Administrative Code).

Can a truck be used with one headlight not working?

No. Clause 3.1 of the List of Faults requires that all lights worked properly. If one headlight burns out, it needs to be replaced. A temporary measure may be the use of fog lights instead of low beams (Section 19.4 of the Traffic Regulations), but this does not negate the obligation to eliminate the malfunction.

What to do if the inspector demands that operation be prohibited due to steering wheel play of 20°?

Backlash up to 25° for trucks and 20° for road trains allowed. Ask the inspector:

  1. 1. Present backlash measuring device (for example, ISL-M).
  2. 2. Draw up a protocol indicating the exact angle of play.
  3. 3. If the play is within the normal range, appeal the decision through Public services or court.
Important: backlash is measured at running engine and neutral wheel position.
Do I need to carry a spare tire for my truck?

According to clause 7.7 of the List of faults, the absence of a spare wheel is not grounds for prohibiting operation. However:

  • 🔹 For intercity flights A spare tire is recommended (especially for road trains).
  • 🔹 If the wheel is in front, its absence is equivalent to a steering failure (operation prohibited).
  • 🔹 For buses and taxi a spare tire is required (clause 7.7).